I believe that the government should work for all New Yorkers, not just the wealthy and well-connected.

As your Assemblymember, I will keep fighting so that all of my constituents feel safe, have access to affordable housing, and earn a living wage.

Affordability:

Upstate New York has become unaffordable for the average family, while corporations continue to rake in profits. I will work every day to ensure more money is in the pockets of working families while fighting against corporate greed.

Increasing wages to keep up with rising costs.

We must raise the minimum wage to match the cost of living and end the sub-minimum wage for tipped workers.

Lowering utility costs and expanding clean energy access.

Every New Yorker deserves affordable, reliable energy. That’s why I have fought for policies that cap utility costs, support weatherization programs that upgrade homes and reduce energy demand, and sought to expand utility assistance. I have also worked to expand access to solar programs, particularly in underserved neighborhoods, putting more affordable, local power on the grid and reducing energy costs for working families.

Ending corporate price gouging.

Corporations use excuses to extract more wealth from working families. As your Assemblymember, I will work to end junk fees and “surge pricing” that make our lives more expensive while lining the pockets of the ultra-wealthy.

Re-Investing back in New York State.

The ultra-wealthy in our state simply don’t pay their fair share. In order to create the programs we need, like universal childcare and healthcare for all, we have to raise the money to pay for them. By slightly increasing taxes on large corporations and the top 1% of New Yorkers, we will be able to fund programs for generations to come. 

Public Safety:

Everyone deserves to feel safe in our district and real public safety starts by investing in our communities. We make our communities safer by addressing the root causes of crime, not by relying on outdated systems that criminalize poverty, illness, and instability. 

As a public defender, I saw firsthand how our criminal legal system often punishes instability rather than addressing it. Individuals struggling with homelessness, untreated mental health needs, or poverty were frequently in the courtroom when diversion, housing, or supportive services could have prevented that outcome.

As an Assemblymember, I passed, and the Governor signed, legislation that requires crime victims be notified of the outcome of their case - basic procedural dignity. 

Advancing community-based safety solutions.

In the Assembly, I have fought for policies that prioritize crime prevention, accountability for all involved, and community well-being. I support investments in mental health care, youth programs, violence interruption, and alternatives to incarceration. I am committed to strengthening police transparency, expanding trauma-informed crisis response teams, and ensuring public safety strategies rely on social workers, mental health professionals, and community-based support when appropriate.

Reimagining criminal justice and ending mass incarceration.

I firmly believe that New York must move away from policies that perpetuate mass incarceration. I supported the 2019 bail reform law, and I continue to oppose harmful rollbacks that would reintroduce a wealth-based system of pretrial detention. No one should sit in jail simply because they don’t have the money to pay bail. 

I will continue fighting for holistic, community-based public safety solutions - these are investments in mental health care, youth opportunities, stable housing, and diversion programs that address the causes of harm before it happens. That is how we keep our neighborhoods safe and move toward a justice system rooted in dignity and fairness.

Housing:

Everyone deserves safe, stable, and affordable housing. New York is in the midst of a deepening housing crisis. Rents, evictions, homelessness, housing shortages, and housing prices have reached historic highs. We need real solutions that help working families remain in their homes while increasing the supply of truly affordable housing.

Housing is a human right, and I see the consequences of this crisis every day. As both a former public defender and now as an Assemblymember, I’ve witnessed how housing instability and decades of disinvestment harm families, in the courtroom, in our neighborhoods, and across the 109th Assembly District.

Fighting for affordable housing for all.

In the Assembly, I have championed legislation and budget priorities that strengthen tenant protections, expand access to safe and habitable housing, and support pathways to homeownership for working families. I have been a vocal advocate for fully funding right-to-counsel for tenants facing eviction and homeowners facing foreclosure, expanding affordable housing production, and ensuring that state investments prioritize communities facing displacement. 

Education:

Children of all ages and from every ZIP code deserve access to a safe, equitable, and robust public education. I firmly believe that prioritizing our children’s future is paramount. 

Expanding universal pre-K.

Universal pre-K is one of the most effective investments we can make in our children’s futures. By expanding full-day, high-quality pre-K across New York, we can ensure that every child, regardless of family income or location in the district, has access to a strong early start. 

Fully funding our schools and keeping kids in the classroom.

We must ensure adequate and equitable funding for our public schools, directing resources to programs that support students’ academic and emotional growth. School funding should reflect student needs, not local property values.

We also need to keep our kids in school by reducing the overreliance on harsh disciplinary practices and addressing the discriminatory use of suspensions. Excessive discipline undermines learning and disproportionately affects children of color and students with learning differences. Every child deserves to learn in a supportive, inclusive environment.

Making higher education affordable, accessible, and supportive.

Everyone should have the opportunity to attend a high-quality public college or university, regardless of financial background. I will fight to expand financial aid, increase mental health resources, and ensure our students have the tools they need to thrive on campus and beyond.

Workers’ Rights:

We must stand in solidarity with workers and the organized labor movement at every opportunity. The strength of our communities depends on the strength of our workforce!

A union-rooted upbringing.

My drive for public service is rooted in union values. My parents are both proud former members of PEF who worked for the State. My earliest memories are of the annual PEF picnics, accompanying my parents to union office meetings, and attending legislative events at the Capitol fighting against budget cuts. 

Championing workers in the Assembly.

Representing the 109th Assembly District, a proud union district, I have consistently championed legislation and budget priorities that strengthen worker protections, defend collective bargaining rights, and expand access to great-paying union jobs. I have pushed back against corporate-driven rollbacks of hard-earned labor victories and stood firmly with workers on picket lines, at rallies, and in negotiations.

In the Assembly, I will continue to fight fiercely for the right to organize, the right to strike, and the expansion of high-quality union jobs across every sector of our economy. Protecting workers is essential to protecting our communities.

Committed to Project Labor Agreements.

I am firmly committed to requiring Project Labor Agreements for every capital project that receives public funds. PLAs ensure fair wages, safe job sites, strong benefits, and apprenticeship opportunities for local workers. They strengthen our labor force, support responsible development, and guarantee that public dollars lift up the families and communities who keep New York running.

Environmental Justice:

Climate change is the most urgent threat of our generation, and addressing it requires bold policies grounded in justice, equity, and community input.

The stakes for frontline communities.

Low-income neighborhoods and BIPOC communities face the greatest environmental burdens. Many are located near industrial sites, sewage treatment plants, and other environmental hazards, resulting in degraded air, contaminated soil, unsafe water, and limited access to healthy food. These communities are also disproportionately impacted by the broader effects of climate change, including worsening air quality.