The 2025 State Legislative Session Begins
Written by Teddy on January 13, 2025
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On January 8, 2024, the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly gaveled in for the first day of the 2025 legislative session.
As the legislative session kicks off, Albany politicians confront an unusual situation. In Washington, D.C., dramatic change is on the way. Once President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on January 20, the Republican Party will have full control of the federal government for the first time since 2018. In addition to winning the White House on Election Day, the Republican Party took control of the U.S. Senate and maintained a narrow majority (219 Republicans, 215 Democrats) in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In Albany, however, last fall’s elections brought very little change. New York Democrats ousted three Republican incumbents from the U.S. House of Representatives. In the New York State Senate, Republicans gained one seat; Democratic Sen. Iwen Chu was defeated by Republican challenger Steve Chan in Brooklyn’s 17th Senate District, leaving Senate Democrats with a commanding 41-22 majority. In the New York State Assembly, Democrats gained three seats on Election Day and hold a wide 103-47 majority. Gov. Kathy Hochul, whose approval ratings have hovered below 40% in recent months, will not face re-election until 2026. As the 2025 session begins, New York state government is fully controlled by the Democratic Party.
Gov. Hochul’s agenda for 2025 is focused on housing, affordability, and public safety. The Governor has offered an olive branch of sorts to President-elect Trump by stating her willingness to work with him and confirming that she supports the deportation of illegal immigrants who commit crimes. However, Gov. Hochul has also affirmed that she will protect against any attempt by the President-elect to infringe upon New Yorkers’ “fundamental freedoms” (which, unfortunately, means the so-called “right” to abortion). It is hoped that both Gov. Hochul and the Legislature will focus on the needs and concerns of everyday New Yorkers in 2025 and steer clear of destructive far-left proposals like legalizing assisted suicide, imposing transgenderism upon nonpublic schools, and decriminalizing prostitution.
While the 2025 legislative session is still young, New York Families Action has hit the ground running. Assisted suicide advocates were angry that their bill made no progress in Albany in 2024, and they are sure to redouble their efforts in 2025. Accordingly, New York Families has already begun strategizing with allies and working with state legislators—especially newly-elected legislators—to inform them about the dangers of assisted suicide. New York Families is also in the process of adding Albany volunteers to our operation and putting the finishing touches on our 2025-2026 Legislative Agenda.
As always, New York Families Action covets the prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ across New York as we continue to influence legislation and legislators for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Photo by NY Senate Photo, title: (01-13-25) NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez, via Flickr, licensed under CC 2.0
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