12
April 1, 2022 • Schneps Media
BY ETHAN STARK-MILLER
AND STEPHEN WITT
Despite all the noise from
progressive lawmakers,
moderates in both the state
Senate and Assembly believe they
will have enough votes to roll back
criminal justice reforms that Governor
Kathy Hochul and Mayor
Eric Adams are requesting.
Among these are giving judges
more discretion to set bail, allowing
prosecutors some leeway in
charging some youths 16 and 17
in adult criminal court, and addressing
recent discovery laws
that some argue favor rights of defendants
over that of victims.
“I think something will be done
on criminal justice reforms before
we leave session this year,”
said veteran Assemblyman Peter
Abbate (D-Brooklyn). “We had a
number of conferences with Assembly
Speaker Carl Heastie and
one just the other night. It was
a good discussion. Some people
were for changes and some people
didn’t want the changes.”
Abbate noted that even in progressive
Brooklyn there were a
number of Assembly members that
will likely vote to roll back criminal
justice reforms including himself
and Assembly Members Helene
Weinstein, Steve Cymbrowitz, Jaimie
Williams and Bill Colton.
There will likely be several assembly
members from Long Island,
Westchester and areas upstate
also voting for reforms as
well as Republicans across the
aisle, he said.
There also seems to be discussion
on the issues from the state
Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and
Asian Legislative Caucus, despite
their releasing a 10-point criminal
justice plan over the weekend
in opposition to Hochul’s, which
came out earlier this month.
Assemblywoman Michaelle
Solages (D – Long Island) – the
caucus chair – said their plan will
focus on investing in underserved
communities rather than making
roll backs to bail, discovery and
Raise the Age laws.
“We support making sure that
we invest into the community,”
Solages told PoliticsNY. “And we
believe that we should end perpetual
punishment of underserved
communities, especially communities
of color.”
The caucus’ 10-point-plan focuses
on making investments in
initiatives like mental healthcare
services, youth programs, improving
access to education for underserved
communities and reducing
homelessness. Solages said the
plan was a culmination of several
criminal justice initiatives caucus
members have strongly supported
in recent years.
But Solages refused to say who
signed onto the plan and said the
65-member caucus never held a
formal vote to approve what was
ultimately included in it. Instead,
they tasked a smaller group of Assembly
members and state Senators
with drafting the proposal,
which is how the caucus works on
most of its initiatives.
REUTERS
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers her first State of the State
address in the Assembly Chamber on Jan. 5, 2022.
More political coverage online at
POLITICS
Criminal justice rollbacks gain traction in Albany
One time use only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other coupon or offer.
Coupon offer good until December 31, 2022. Valid for any new
service except subscription fees. Must mention coupon at time of sale.