Robert T. Kesten

Economy

I would work to ensure that all working people earn at least seven paid sick days from their employer to recover from their own illness or injury or to take care of a sick family member. Learn more

I strongly support increasing the minimum wage, which increases local economic activity by putting more money in workers’ pockets, but we are also aware that we need to do more to help the small businesses impacted by the wage increase. We support the Paycheck Fairness Act as a key step to promote fair pay and stopping wage discrimination. Learn more

There is no compromise on clean water and air. We must put to bed the notion that economic growth is limited when we protect our environment. Reality tells us that the greatest economic growth is possible when we invest in a clean world, where new businesses and new technologies are creating the jobs of tomorrow and today. Learn more

Environment / Energy

There is no compromise on clean water and air. We must put to bed the notion that economic growth is limited when we protect our environment. Reality tells us that the greatest economic growth is possible when we invest in a clean world, where new businesses and new technologies are creating the jobs of tomorrow and today. Learn more

Guns

These five bills establish what would be the most basic common-sense gun laws: they create “Extreme Risk Protection Orders”, which remove weapons from those deemed to be a risk to themselves or others at the request of a judge, law enforcement or a relative; they prevent people convicted of domestic abuse from owning or obtaining firearms; they forbid the manufacturing or use of bump stocks and other trigger modification devices; and they extend the waiting period for the purchase of a gun from three to ten days and require the use of background checks. And yet, this series of bills is not expected to pass in our Republican-majority state senate. As your State Senator, I will fight to pass these bills because we can have sensible gun legislation without stepping on the rights afforded us under the Constitution. Learn more

I strongly support common sense gun legislation protecting the citizens of New York State. Learn more

Healthcare

I believe that we can bring overall health costs down in New York while boosting care levels for all by pushing for a single-payer system in our state. Learn more

As your Senator, I will fight to pass the Reproductive Health Act, which will move issues of reproductive health out of New York’s criminal code and regulate it as a matter of public health. I also support the Comprehensive Contraception Coverage Act, which requires insurers to provide free contraceptive coverage to all New Yorkers. Learn more