Assembly Republicans are accusing Democrats of shutting down more than 20 GOP-backed proposals this week as Albany remains stalled on a state budget now considered the latest since 2010.
In a release issued Friday, the Assembly Minority Conference said Democrats blocked 23 Republican-sponsored bills in committee, including proposals tied to public safety, utility costs, veterans benefits, property tax relief and criminal penalties for child predators and animal abusers.
Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra said the rejected proposals reflected concerns lawmakers are hearing from constituents across the state.
“New Yorkers want results from Albany, but instead, they’re getting nothing more than partisan dysfunction,” Ra said in the statement. “From strengthening public safety protections to supporting our service members and providing transparency on monthly utility bills, our Conference’s proposals would help millions and deserve an up-or-down vote on the floor.”
Republicans pointed to a recent Siena College poll showing 48% of New Yorkers believe the state is headed in the wrong direction, while 67% said the state is failing to address cost-of-living concerns.
Among the bills highlighted by Republicans were measures requiring utilities to provide more detailed monthly billing breakdowns, increasing STAR property tax exemptions for seniors, expanding tax exemptions for disabled veterans and creating a capital support program for veterans service organizations.
Other proposals focused heavily on criminal justice and public safety issues. Republicans said Democrats blocked legislation that would create tougher penalties for predatory sexual assault against children, establish an animal abuser registry and strengthen penalties for disrupting funerals and religious services.
One of the more controversial proposals would have made the murder of police officers, correction officers and first responders punishable by death or life without parole. Another sought to strip governors of pardon and commutation powers in certain murder cases involving law enforcement and emergency personnel.
Republicans also criticized Democrats for rejecting proposals connected to energy policy and affordability, including legislation requiring utility bills to disclose costs associated with New York’s climate initiatives and another creating a state office focused on advanced nuclear energy development.
The blocked proposals additionally included interstate licensing compacts for physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists, as well as changes to voting representation on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board for Hudson Valley counties.
Democrats did not immediately respond publicly to the Republican release Friday, and the bills remain stalled in committee.
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