Currently holds the office of New York State Senate - District 42 until January 8, 2025.
Candidate for New York State Senate - District 42 in 2024 New York General Election.
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Get StartedJames also believes medical decisions ought to be made between a woman and her doctor, which is why he helped pass legislation that codifies Roe vs. Wade into New York State law. He also successfully championed the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act that requires all insurance companies cover the cost of contraception in their health plans. Learn more
James is fighting to level the playing field for all women, ensuring they’re treated equally under the law. Learn more
As State Senator, he has worked every day to ensure that Hudson Valley schools get their fair share of funding, stood strong against the misuse of standardized testing, and fought to improve the Governor’s Excelsior Scholarship that only benefits 4% of SUNY and CUNY undergraduates. He also voted to successfully end a draconian teacher evaluation system that would lead to more teaching to the test. Learn more
He led the successful fight to deliver universal full-day kindergarten in New York State, including securing the funding necessary for both the North Rockland and Washingtonville School Districts to fully transition to full-day programs. Learn more
James knows that the sustainability of our environment depends on the decisions we make today and that future generations are counting on us. Learn more
In Albany, James introduced a package of bills to better protect taxpayers when corporations seek taxpayer-funded incentives including: banning subsidies when the project occupant is kept secret, prohibiting elected officials from serving on boards that hand out incentives, banning tax breaks to projects that are already under development, and closing a loophole that allows tax breaks to be used to lure companies from one part of the state to another. Learn more
In his first few years leading the investigations committee, James scrutinized lax building code enforcement; drug company middle-men who were ripping off our seniors; so-called economic development agencies that were ripping off our taxpayers; anti-consumer event ticketing practices; pandemic mismanagement in nursing homes and healthcare settings, and illegal housing discrimination. James has also supported important legislation that looks to take money out of politics and return our democracy to where it belongs: the people. Learn more
James knows that roads are a quality of life issue, which is why he has focused on advancing our region’s infrastructure, improving a significant number of state roads and bridges across the district. Learn more
James successfully fought to make the property tax cap permanent and lessen the burden of our state income taxes, bringing them to their lowest levels in 70 years. With many neighbors continuing to face financial distress, James refuses to stop until real reform is accomplished in Albany and reflected in the communities he represents. Learn more
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