NY lawmakers mull criminal justice bills as session wraps
Liberal groups are calling on New York lawmakers to use the last days of the legislative session to pass bills related to the criminal justice system, despite concern over rising gun violence that could make reform more politically risky.
Democrats’ veto-proof majority in the state legislature hasn’t led to swift passage of the criminal justice legislation backed by the party’s left wing. Many of those bills remained in committee Monday, with their prospects for passage this year uncertain.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie hasn’t spoken publicly about his priorities for the remainder of this year’s session, which ends Friday. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has signaled that parole reform is one of her top priorities.