Latest news with #MichaelleSolages
E&E News
23-05-2025
- Business
- E&E News
New York plastics bill runs into caucus cost concerns
ALBANY, New York — Some lawmakers are heeding the affordability drumbeat from business groups opposed to an aggressive waste reduction measure. A few Democratic lawmakers, mainly members of the influential Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus, have signed on in recent weeks to competing 'extended producer responsibility' legislation backed by the plastics industry and other business interests. Environmental advocates are concerned this imperils their preferred measure with strict limits on toxic chemicals and mandated reductions in plastics and packaging materials. Advertisement 'There's a question around affordability,' said Michaelle Solages, who chairs the caucus.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Some local New York state elections are moving to even years. Here's why lawmakers are divided on the change.
Why lawmakers are split on New York state moving some local elections to even years Why lawmakers are split on New York state moving some local elections to even years Why lawmakers are split on New York state moving some local elections to even years Many local elections in New York state are going to be moving to even years to line up with national elections. It's a controversial move that was just approved by a state appeals court. Republicans argue local issues will be "muddled" with state, federal issues Long Island Republican leaders came out in force Tuesday to call it a self-serving political act by state Democrats. "This is simply outrageous," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. "They're trying to take the local issues and put them down the ballot." "Imagine going in and having 50 people's names on a ballot or more, or 60, and you've got to figure out who's who? Not the way government was meant to work," Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said. "We deserve to be able to get our issue out there without the message muddled with state and federal issues," Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. Romaine pointed out county legislators will have to run both this year and next year. Democrats, advocates say change will help fight voter fatigue Democrats who voted for the change say the switch will lead to better turnouts and save money. "We are consolidating elections. Elections are very expensive," New York State Assemblymember Michaelle Solages said. "Less Democrats go out in odd years, and so I guess it benefits [Republicans] to have lower voter turnout, but this is just a common avenue of voter suppression by the Republican party." Consolidating even more elections would save more money, says the good government group Citizens Union, pointing out it's been done in blue, red and purple states. "This is indeed a bipartisan reform, when you look at it from the voters' perspective, because voters are tired of being asked to go to the polls twice every year. There is a real voter fatigue," said Ben Weinberg, with Citizens Union. Long Island residents are split on the change. "It's better off on its own. It'll get more attention," one person said. "It'll probably get more people to vote," another person said. "If it's saving money, it's a good thing," another man said. For now, the even year elections are the law of the land in New York state, pending an appeal by Nassau and Suffolk counties, who are calling it a blatant political act and unconstitutional. New York City is exempt from the change.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New York lawmakers push legislation to boost organ transplant access
ALBANY, N.Y. (WROC) – April is Donate Life Month. Tuesday, New York State lawmakers took to the Capitol steps in Albany to push for new legislation aimed at bringing equal access to transplant recipients. Currently, New York does not allow for in-state multi-listing, which limits patient options and can restrict access to transplants within the state. While those with private insurance can bypass this restriction by listing at out-of-state facilities, those on Medicaid face major financial barriers in doing so. The HEART Act hopes to change this. 'HEART' stands for 'Helping Equal Access to Registrations For Transplants.' Lawmakers say the legislation would repeal New York's ban on multi-listing to allow registry at multiple transplant centers at once. They add that it would improve access to life-saving organs for low-income New Yorkers, and would cut wait times for transplants nearly in half while decreasing mortality rates by about 20 percent. 'There is a huge health disparity that we are interacting with now. We know that patients of color are waiting longer for matches and are less likely to receive transplants that they need. It's not because they are less deserving. It's because they are underrepresented. Let's help close the gap. Let's help close the health disparities. Let's help make our communities more equal and have access to hope, healing, and life,' said Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, who represents the 22nd NYS Assembly District. Nearly 8,000 New Yorkers remain on the waitlist for a transplant of some form today. The HEART Act's primary goal, officials say, is to make it easier for those in need to find a match. 'When it comes to the vital transformational legislation that kind of paints what this country is doing and how things are changing, it usually comes out of the state of New York – we get things done. And usually, the other states are following behind us. But on this particular issue, New York is behind,' said Sen. April Baskin, who serves for the 63rd NYS Senate District. More than half of eligible New Yorkers are now registered as an organ donor through the NYS DMV. In 2019, that number was only at 46 percent. More information and resources on both organ donation and the legislation can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
