“This should have been a breakthrough year for environmental action in New York. The Senate did its part—advancing a slate of legislation to clean up our air and water, rein in corporate polluters, and protect public health. But the Assembly? Once again, it left the job unfinished.
We heard the excuses: the politics are tough, the budget’s tight, and members are under pressure. But when elected officials decide that defending the basic building blocks of public health is too politically risky, that’s not realism—it’s dereliction of duty.
Some lawmakers delayed taking a stand until it was too late to move big solutions. Others stayed silent altogether. But staying silent is taking a position. Reading bills and weighing in is not extra credit—it’s the job. And it’s clear who’s doing it.
Meanwhile, there was no shortage of misinformation echoing through the Capitol, no shortage of special interests shaping the narrative. What was missing? Leadership. A long view. And a political compass grounded in the public good.
Let’s dispense with the myth that there wasn’t enough public support to take big policy swings. The public has spoken—clearly and consistently. Polling shows strong, bipartisan majorities in favor of key environmental bills. The problem wasn’t support. It was a failure to act on it.”
