On Tuesday, June 11th, New York City Mayor Eric Adams applauded the successful passage of several key legislative priorities at the conclusion of the state legislative session. These legislative victories cover a range of issues including public safety, infrastructure, sustainability, government operations, and more, further solidifying the administration’s commitment to improving the lives of New Yorkers.
Mayor Adams highlighted the expansion of the red-light camera program as a significant achievement. The program will now include 600 cameras, up from 150, and is reauthorized for three years. This expansion aims to enhance street safety by reducing traffic violations and accidents across the city.
Another major legislative victory was the passage of the Alternative Delivery Bill, which allows for more flexibility in building public infrastructure. This bill authorizes the use of alternative project delivery methods, enabling the city to expedite the construction and maintenance of essential infrastructure projects.
The administration also focused on protecting children from addictive social media feeds with the SAFE Act. This legislation prohibits the delivery of addictive feeds to minors without parental consent and ensures that non-addictive feed products are available when consent is not obtained. This measure aims to safeguard the mental health and well-being of young New Yorkers.
In response to the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries, several bills were passed to enhance micro-mobility safety. These include a mandate for the registration of limited-use motorcycles at the point of sale, rebates or new batteries for powered mobility devices, and standards for the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries used in micro-mobility devices. These measures are part of Mayor Adams’ comprehensive plan to promote safe electric micro-mobility usage and prevent fires caused by faulty batteries.
Other notable legislative achievements include the removal of minimum wage requirements for child care assistance eligibility, expanding veterans’ tuition assistance to all New York resident veterans, and amending contract public hearing requirements to streamline public notices.
Mayor Adams also celebrated victories achieved earlier in the year through the state budget. These include significant investments to grow the city’s affordable housing supply, enhance tenant protections, and provide municipalities with tools to shut down illegal smoke and cannabis shops. Additionally, the budget allocated $2.4 billion to support the city’s efforts in managing the migrant crisis.
Expressing his gratitude, Mayor Adams said, “Over the entirety of the session, our administration was in Albany advocating for residents of the five boroughs. We are proud of the victories we have secured on issues that matter to New York City, including keeping our streets safe, expanding public infrastructure, and protecting our children online.”
