Niagara Leader

Albany Democrats faced criticism after attempting to pass a bill that Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt described as an effort to "silence the voices of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers." The proposed legislation was ultimately halted, drawing attention to the political tensions in New York.

Ortt expressed his concerns, stating, "New Yorkers should remember Governor Hochul and Senate Democrats were willing to trample over our democracy just to cling to power. They don’t care about fairness, they don’t care about representation, and they certainly don’t care about the voters."

The bill's defeat has not eased Ortt's vigilance. He emphasized the importance of remaining alert against any future attempts to reintroduce similar legislation. "While this bill appears to be defeated for now, we will remain vigilant against any effort to bring it back," he stated.

Senate Republicans have positioned themselves as defenders of New York residents' interests, with Ortt pledging continued opposition to what he terms "disgraceful attacks" on democracy. He affirmed their commitment by saying, "Senate Republicans will continue to stand up for the people of New York, fight back against these disgraceful attacks, and put the needs of the people, not power-hungry politicians, first."

The controversy highlights ongoing political struggles within New York's legislative landscape.