“Enough is enough”
A weekly column from NY State Senator O’Mara,
Our Senate Republican conference began this year by unveiling a comprehensive legislative agenda known as “Liberate New York.” We hoped to set the stage for a legislative session that would prioritize affordability, improving public safety and security, and building a stronger and safer New York overall.
It has been our belief since 2019, when state government fell under complete, all-Democrat leadership that extreme policies enacted under one-party control have had a direct impacton the quality of life and opportunity across this state. And not for the better.
It remains our belief. That’s particularly true in several key areas of public policy and legislative decision-making, especially public safety. As part of our “Liberate New York” agenda, we called for actions to prioritize victims over criminals; reverse misguided criminal justice policies and reject further erosion of our criminal justice system; fight to end domestic and other violence against women; combat the rise of antisemitism and hate crimes; protect the safety of our seniors; protect and empower our law enforcement officers; stop subway violence, crime and theft; address New York’s security vulnerabilities; confront the substance use and mental health epidemics; and reduce overdose deaths and close treatment gaps, among numerous other priorities.
It followed our efforts over the past several years to push back against the rise of violent crimes and increasing criminal activity in cities and communities throughout New York resulting, in our view, from an overall pro-criminal, anti-police climate fostered under all-Democrat rule.
We’re not alone in our alarm. A statewide Siena Research Institute poll at the beginning of July showed that half of New Yorkers think the state is headed in the wrong direction.
Unfortunately, these concerns continue to fall on deaf ears in Albany, especially the deaf ears of the Democrat leaders of the state Senate and Assembly. What hasn’t changed, however, is that they are being heard loud and clear by our Senate and Assembly Republican conferences. We heard them six years ago when this progressive madness began spinning out of control, and we hear them to this very moment.
Our conferences have, in fact, called and continue to call on state leaders to take numerous actions to make New York State safer. For example, we have called for a full examination of the impact on public safety and rising crime statewide, including bail and discovery reform and “Raise the Age” laws. It’s a call that’s been backed by the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, the New York State Sheriffs Association, and others. The Senate GOP agenda would add to our ongoing efforts to strengthen protections for law enforcement and first responders through a “Protect Those Who Protect Us” package of legislation. We have also advanced a series of parole reform measures recognizing the dangers of an out-of-control state Parole Board that continues to release cop killers, child murderers, and other violent inmates back into society – as well as Democrat legislation on the table that seeks to pave the way for the release of more and more incarcerated violent criminals.
Our message is straightforward: Enough is enough. We need to stand up, speak out, and fight against the pro-criminal, anti-police mentality and policies that keep going too far in New York State.
While the Democrat majorities in control of the State Legislature show absolutely no sign of letting up in their push for imposing a far-left agenda that only stands to embolden society’s criminal element and, therefore, will keep making this state and our communities less safe, we need to keep fighting for the enactment of legislation that puts crime victims and community safety first. We need to remain focused on a criminal justice agenda geared towards restoring common sense.
Many New Yorkers are looking for a redirection of priorities and resources to begin truly addressing unmet challenges and crises, as well as charting a course for a more sane, more sensible, and more sustainable state government. It’s time to get this state back on track towards a safer and stronger future.
