Why I am Joining the Senate Democratic Conference
I am proud to join the Senate Democratic Conference. I look forward to working with Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins and my Democratic Conference colleagues on behalf of my constituents in the 20th Senate District. We will advance an agenda that addresses the concerns of all New Yorkers. We will work to create jobs at a fair wage for working families, deliver a higher quality education to our children, expand affordable housing, improve public housing, and safeguard the vital programs that protect the vulnerable. We will also focus on the critical task of building confidence and faith in our justice system. Together, the Senate Democratic Conference will strive to create a brighter future for all New Yorkers.
While I ultimately decided to join the Senate Democratic Conference, I continue to have the utmost respect for my Independent Democratic Conference colleagues. I am an advocate for a forward-looking legislative agenda, an agenda that serves my constituents and the people of New York. In the end, no Senate conference, whether it is the Senate Democratic, the Independent Democratic, or even the Republican, has a monopoly on good ideas. I am in Albany to work in partnership with my colleagues to advance the well-being of New Yorkers, no matter the origin of the idea. I believe we can build a brighter future for all New Yorkers and that will be my guiding principle in Albany.
Politicians and political observers should remember that the horse race fades into insignificance for the vast majority of New Yorkers. What matters is a well paying job, an education that makes New York's workforce globally competitive, a business environment that fosters innovation, a justice system that protects us all, and safe communities for our families. As legislators, those are the priorities we should focus on.