State Lawmakers Look Back at 2024 and Ahead to 2025
New Year, New Priorities
State lawmakers typically leave the capitol in late December, with the legislative session starting on January 8. Ahead of the session start, many lawmakers are looking back at the past year and making plans for what they want to see in the new year.
State Senate Minority Leader Seeks Affordable Solutions
State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt believes the 2024 legislative session did not have many successes as it could have. He expressed his desire to see the governor take steps to make things more affordable for New York residents in 2025.
"Let’s do something concrete, long-lasting and multi-faceted to try to drive down grocery prices, or help people out with more money, more take-home pay, by cutting their taxes," said Ortt.
Office of Cannabis Management Reflects on 2024 Milestones
Felicia A. B. Reid, the acting Executive Director for the Office Of Cannabis Management, highlighted the major milestones the industry reached in 2024. According to Reid, the industry increased the number of legal adult-use marijuana dispensaries, and decreasing the number of illegal sales will remain a priority in 2025.
"When my law enforcement team goes into some of these stores, the things that they have found are really incredible— everything from fentanyl, ghost guns, to some of the things you wouldn’t want anywhere near what you are trying to consume as a matter of cannabis," said Reid.
Conclusion
As lawmakers head into the new year, it is clear that they are focused on making meaningful changes to benefit New Yorkers. From affordable solutions to addressing the cannabis industry, 2025 is shaping up to be an important year for the state.
FAQs
- What are the priorities for the 2025 legislative session?
- State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt is focused on making things more affordable for New Yorkers, including cutting taxes and driving down grocery prices.
- What were the major milestones for the cannabis industry in 2024?
- The industry increased the number of legal adult-use marijuana dispensaries and decreased the number of illegal sales.
- What are the priorities for the Office of Cannabis Management in 2025?
- Decreasing the number of illegal sales and addressing the discovery of illegal items in legal dispensaries.
