Senator Rachel May

Congratulations to everyone at InterFaith Works on 50 years of service! The work you do to support refugees and strengthen our community is invaluable and has made Central New York and our whole society a better place.

I worked to ensure this year’s budget included language from my bill to streamline environmental review and reduce unnecessary barriers to construction, making it easier to build housing that is good for the climate. Thank you to everyone who advocated for these reforms. Now, let’s get building.

We’re putting consumers ahead of corporate profits and stopping companies from exploiting hardworking people. As Consumer Protection chair, I’m proud to sponsor two bills in this bill package: a cap on care rental fuel charges and the deletion of financial data after auto-renewal cancellation.

Last week, we saw several state legislatures, emboldened by an extremist Supreme Court, move to further disenfranchise Black voters. Here in New York, we should be proud that we are taking the opposite approach by making it easier for all eligible New Yorkers to exercise their right to vote.

We brought together fantastic authors to stand up for the freedom to read. Powerful speeches highlighted how books inspire us, reflect our own lives, and open our minds to new perspectives. We must protect every New Yorker’s freedom to read, and that’s exactly what my bills (S1099/S1100) will do.

New York’s commitment to free expression means readers should have access to diverse materials. My Freedom to Read (S1099) and Open Shelves (S1100A)bills help protect that access. Thank you to my Assembly colleagues and the fantastic authors who supported these bills at our rally today.

Harmful algal blooms threaten our lakes, putting drinking water and public health at risk. My HAB Monitoring and Prevention Act (S1833A) gives municipalities the tools to identify and respond. Thank you to the Senate Majority for passing my bill and other environmental bills to celebrate Earth Day.

Our continued reliance on fossil fuels is driving up utility costs. We must take action to better plan our energy system, improve grid performance, and lower consumers' electricity bills. I stand with my colleagues and advocates in pushing for these critical steps.

As budget talks continue, I’m working to support SUNY ESF and launch a new institute for mass timber and regenerative forestry in CNY. Mass timber locks carbon, supports year-round building, and is growing fast globally. ESF can help make our region a leader.

Farm workers do vital, demanding work that puts nutritious food in our grocery stores. In my district, Cayuga County leads the state in dairy production, and these workers do the hard, daily work that keeps farms running. Thank you for this resolution supporting New York’s farm workers.

Our rural communities are essential to NY's identity and economy. Today, I hosted our Rural Resources Fair, a chance for my colleagues to connect with rural organizations. Through this fair, we learn more about our rural communities and ensure they receive the support and recognition they deserve.

Access to fresh, healthy food shouldn’t depend on where you live. Senator Baskin’s FRESH Communities Act will bring grocery stores to underserved areas and support local farmers. Proud to co-sponsor this bill that will benefit public health in communities across New York.

This budget document asserts that New York is a civilized state that feeds the hungry, houses the homeless, cares for children, invests in infrastructure, agriculture, environmental protection, science, and public health, and defends immigrant neighbors, trans youth like my son, and the rule of law.

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman on the anniversary of her passing in 1913. I’m proud that she made her home in Auburn, now part of the 48th District. Her courage and deep commitment to justice continue to inspire the fight for equality.

Proud to share that my bill, S4408, has passed the Senate. This legislation opens the door to renewable energy projects on parts of state reforestation land, helping New York reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, lower energy costs, and protect natural resources.

With nearly 20% of our waste made up of food scraps, we can’t ignore the cost to our environment or economy. Restoring $5M for Food Waste Reduction grants and supporting programs that help communities cut landfill waste and emissions is a smart investment for NY.

PFAS, “forever chemicals,” don’t disappear; they contaminate our water for generations. We have a right to know when industries release pollutants into our streams, lakes, and groundwater. I’m glad the Senate Majority passed my PFAS testing bill (S.4574B), because we can’t fix what we don’t measure.

Abortion is healthcare, and having one doesn’t disqualify someone from being a good parent. Still, reproductive history is often used against parents in custody cases. My bill (S.8860) will put an end to this, protecting children’s interests and ensuring access to reproductive services without fear.

Too many New Yorkers, especially in rural counties, struggle to find dental care closer to home because there aren’t enough providers. My bill, now law, allows dental hygienists to collaborate with dentists and deliver care without direct supervision. This change will help expand access.

The Senate Majority votes today on several bills that will strengthen our democracy and make voting easier in New York. I’m proud to have my bill included, giving election commissioners the option to establish short-term polling sites to ensure voting is safer, more efficient, and more accessible.

It's great to be back in Albany for the 2026 legislative session. I'm looking forward to a productive year focused on policies to lower costs while maintaining our commitments to the services that residents in the 48th Senate District rely on. A few of my priorities are highlighted in the video.

Over $1.2 million in funding for Onondaga County Public Libraries will help ensure a positive experience, whether browsing popular books, researching, or studying quietly. To best serve the 48th District, our libraries must be safe, secure, accessible, and equipped with the latest technology.

My bill, the Freedom to Read Act (S1099), affirms that every New York student should have access to inclusive, developmentally appropriate library collections chosen by librarians. Advocates went to Albany to urge Governor Hochul to sign the bill.

For Banned Books Week, I'd like to share a passage from a history book that holds significance for me, the one my grandparents wrote in the 1960s. Despite being an accurate account of our history, there was significant opposition to its publication, with calls for it to be banned.