Candidate for New York State Senate - District 5 in 2020 New York General Election.
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Get StartedWith the Trump Administration and the Supreme Court threatening to dismantle a woman’s right to choose, Jim and the Senate Democratic Majority stood up to ensure reproductive health rights are guaranteed in New York. Jim enthusiastically voted for the Reproductive Health Act to codify the protections guaranteed under Roe v Wade into state law, and will continue to work with his colleagues to stand up to Washington’s disgusting attempts to limit women’s access to healthcare. Learn more
Over 30 years ago, Jim cast the deciding vote in the Suffolk County Legislature to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and has continued to fight for equality for all ever since. It was the first of its kind in New York State, and one of the first in the nation; though it was still a controversial subject back in the 1980s, it remains one of Jim’s proudest votes he’s ever taken. But he knows we still have work to do in the fight for true equality. This session, Jim was proud to pass the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), and enact laws to ban conversion therapy and eliminate “gay panic” as a defense for murderer. Learn more
When an in-depth Newsday investigation shone a light on just how common racial discrimination remains in real estate, Jim immediate introduced a bill to revoke the license of any realtor engaged in discriminatory practices. That bill, recently signed into law, closed a long-standing loophole in New York’s Civil Rights Law that led to potential homebuyers being directed to certain communities because of their race. We still have much more work to do to end the inequities in New York, and Jim is committed to continuing the fight for justice and equality. Learn more
Jim is a strong ally in the fight for equality and anti-retaliation protections for those who speak out, and has proudly supported measures to increase protections to employees who face discrimination in the workplace and lengthen the status of limitations for rape, criminal sexual acts and incest to increase survivor access to justice. Learn more
In his first year, Jim secured an additional $9.6 million in State Aid for school districts in the 5th Senate District, up from the previous year. But we need to do more. State funding is still not enough, leaving it to local taxpayers to ensure our kids have the best education possible. Jim will continue to fight until all schools receive their fair share of funding so that every teacher is supported and every student receives the education they deserve. Learn more
In his first year, Jim successfully enacted a law to hold polluters liable for water contamination and strongly supported the historic Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). Jim is committed to working with his colleagues to enact the ambitious goals within the CLCPA to reduce New York’s carbon footprint. Learn more
Over the last two decades, far too many communities have fallen victim to senseless gun violence, and each time our federal lawmakers have failed to enact change. I am proud to have passed some of the most progressive common sense gun reforms in the Country, including New York’s groundbreaking Red Flag Law, banning bump stock attachments, closing the out-of-state gun loophole and implementing stronger background checks. Learn more
On Long Island, we pay some of the highest taxes in the country, too often keeping young families from moving in, and forcing older residents to move out. Jim championed legislation to make the property tax cap permanent within his first months as your State Senator. That was just the first step to making Long Island a place where everyone can afford to live and raise their family. Jim is committed to continuing the fight to make sure Long Island gets its fair share of funding. Learn more
Jim knows that organized labor helped build the middle class in this country by fighting for workers rights and a safe work environment. In the State Senate, Jim joined that fight by helping pass the Farm Laborers Fair Practices Act, the New York Call Center Jobs Act, bills that provide unemployment benefit eligibility for striking workers and increase equal pay protections by prohibiting the use of wage history. Jim is committed to ensuring that good paying jobs stay in New York to drive a healthy economy and strong communities. Learn more
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