Central New York’s delegation of state lawmakers is back in Albany for the first full week of the legislative session which includes Tuesday's state of the state address.
This year marks Assemblymember Pam Hunter’s 11th session. The Syracuse Democrat said the federal government is making it more difficult to address rising energy costs and transition to more renewable sources.
“Whether it's stopping offshore development of wind turbines, and even with the tariffs, [that] makes it difficult to even get some of these products at a cost effective rate," Hunter said. "Those are going to be passed on to the consumer.”
Long-time Republican Senator Joe Griffo of Rome said the state's energy goals are too ambitious.
“While you can embrace renewables and pursue a clean energy agenda, we have to do this in a realistic and a reasonable method and manner," he said.
But in recent months, Governor Kathy Hochul has paused an all-electric mandate for new homes, approved natural gas pipelines, and proposed an expansion of nuclear power. Griffo said it remains to be seen if it all sticks over the long-term.
“Are these decisions that we believe are helpful at this point? Yes, but I'm concerned about where she will pivot from here," Griffo said. "It’s an election year."
Meanwhile, Griffo said he’s focused on affordability and other factors contributing to one of the highest rates of out-migration in the nation.
“It should send a message that people can't afford to live here anymore," he said. "Maybe some of the policies that are being put in place here are really not policies that are working and need to be revised.”
For her part, Assemblymember Hunter said she’ll try once again to advance a bill aimed at helping victims of human trafficking. She's been working on it for several years.
“We hear about these big cases with Epstein and Weinstein, and we need to start taking care of this in a more intentional way," she said. "So this sex trade equality justice model that I have really speaks to taking care of the victims.”
