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A couple of weeks after the @QueensEagle first reported on an opaque lobbying group tied to Tusk Strategies buying pro-LaSalle ads, two lawmakers plan to introduce a bill that would classify such spending as lobbying. https://queenseagle.com/all/2023/1/31/lawmakers-look-to-close-lobbying-loophole-after-money-floods-lasalle-fight
Campaigns that spend big to promote nominees for appointed office in New York state should be required to disclose their donors, Democrats in the state Senate on Monday said. http://specne.ws/h33K3F
About MIKE GIANARIS
A child of immigrant parents, Senator Gianaris was born and raised in Astoria, Queens, where he continues to reside. He is the product of New York City public schools and graduated from Fordham University and Harvard Law School before setting his sights on a career in public service. As a first-generation American, Senator Gianaris knows the struggle of immigrant families and leads the fight against harmful federal policies that tear apart families and unfairly discriminate against immigrant communities. He works with community groups to reunite families separated at the border and wrote legislation barring discrimination based on immigration status.
In a city with millions of renters, Senator Gianaris always stands with tenants. In addition to consistently supporting better rent laws to abolish vacancy decontrol and preferential rents, he authored legislation to eliminate the often-abused Major Capital Improvements (MCI) and Individual Apartment Improvements (IAI) programs, taking on unscrupulous landlords like the Trump organization. Senator Gianaris does not accept campaign donations from real estate developers.
Senator Gianaris is a chief critic of the MTA, fighting for transit riders, pushing for the improved service and increased accessibility New Yorkers need. He understands New York cannot function without reliable mass transit, which is why he authored a proposal establishing a millionaire’s tax to generate dedicated funding for the troubled agency, as well as supporting congestion pricing.
New York has the second-lowest voter turnout in the United States, ranking 48th in 2018. When more New Yorkers vote, their government is more accountable. Senator Gianaris wrote legislation for Automatic Voter Registration and sponsors bills to enact early voting and vote by mail.
With a strong belief that we must live up to our highest ideals of “justice for all,” Senator Gianaris is working hard to transform our criminal justice system. Because people should not lose their freedom just because they are poor, Senator Gianaris wrote the Bail Elimination Act to end bail in New York. He also wrote legislation to create an Innocence Commission to review wrongful convictions.
Our state has many unfunded needs and too many misplaced priorities. Senator Gianaris continues to do battle against wasteful corporate welfare, including New York’s $3 billion giveaway to Amazon, to ensure actual priorities like truly affordable housing, better mass transit and improved schools are fully funded.
New York’s future is bright and Senator Gianaris knows a progressive agenda cannot be accomplished alone. He is proud to work with other thoughtful leaders to deliver results for our state, including his new Senate colleagues who will work together to remake New York for the better.
STATE SENATE DISTRICT 12
Recent News
July 29, 2022
Schenectady Daily Gazette: Ban non-disclosure agreements from economic development projects (Editorial)
A bill sponsored by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Sen. Michael Gianaris of Queens and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages of Long Island (A9092/S1196) would
July 19, 2022
Gianaris Named 2022 Gun Sense Candidate by Moms Demand Action
“While the common sense gun laws we need to keep New Yorkers safe are under attack from all corners, now more than ever we need serious leadership on this
July 19, 2022
Queens lawmaker hopes governor makes right choice in selecting next chief judge
State Senator Michael Gianaris, the upper chamber’s second-highest-ranking leader, is hoping Governor Kathy Hochul makes the proper course correction in
July 18, 2022
Effort to push New York's high court back to the middle or beyond
Hochul will have the chance to make her second appointment to the court late this year after Monday’s surprise announcement by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore
July 15, 2022
Stewart-Cousins and Gianaris back Rivera for redrawn state Senate District 33 race
State Sen. Gustavo Rivera has picked up his first endorsements from fellow elected officials in his bid to win the newly redrawn 33rd Senate District in
July 18, 2022
Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris Named 2022 Gun Sense Candidate By Moms Demand Action
The Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate program is meant to signal to their nearly 10 million supporters, volunteers, and gun safety voters across the
June 21, 2022
Gianaris, Veláquez, and more to Announce Endorsement Tomorrow
On Wednesday morning, elected officials including Congresswoman Nydia Veláquez, State Senator Michael Gianaris, City Council Member Lincoln Restler, and
June 21, 2022
NY Sen. Mike Gianaris calls for federal action on corporate power measure
New York Deputy Senate Majority Leader Mike Gianaris is making a push this month for congressional lawmakers to approve a measure meant to scale back
May 27, 2022
New York Sen. Michael Gianaris talks the pathway to victory for Senate Democrats in November
Change is coming for both parties in the New York state Senate. Democratic state Sens. Todd Kaminsky, Diane Savino and James Gaughran have all announced
May 4, 2022
Endorsing Archila on Wednesday was Deputy Senate Majority Leader Mike Gianaris.
Three Democratic state senators on Wednesday endorsed progressive activist Ana Maria Archila for lieutenant governor in the three-candidate field for the
March 21, 2022
Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris Announces 2022 Re-Election Campaign, Supported By Broad Coalition Of Progressive Activists
Gianaris, running in new 12th Senate district, highlights record of protecting tenants, fully funding schools, safeguarding reproductive
February 28, 2022
The 2022 New York City Power 100
#11 State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris
February 17, 2022
Soaring ConEd Bills Add Fuel to Push for Public Power
ConEd customers have seen their electricity bills double or even triple over the past month, and the company just reported over a billion
February 16, 2022
Senate approves 'Tinder Swindler' bill targeting romantic schemes
ALBANY — The state Senate passed legislation this week that would require financial institutions to warn customers about potential
February 9, 2022
Brewing fight in Albany over controversial tax break signals an uncertain future for the housing program
A controversial tax break for developers is slated to expire this June — setting the stage for a fight in Albany over the future of a program that’s
February 9, 2022
Michael Gianaris wants Con Ed probe over claims of 300% utility hikes
A top New York state lawmaker is demanding an investigation into Con Edison after residents of Queens inundated his
January 20, 2022
Queens lawmakers continue push for law that would seal conviction records
State legislators from Queens are pushing their colleagues to pass the Clean Slate Act after Gov. Kathy Hochul endorsed the bill in her State of the
January 13, 2022
Queens senator spearheads ‘preserving democracy’ in new campaign finance laws
The state Senate passed Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris’ Democracy Preservation Act, prohibiting campaign contributions from foreign-influenced
January 11, 2022
On New York redistricting, Sen. Gianaris says he is staying above the fray
The co-chair of a legislative task force that could end up drawing new congressional maps in New York told Capital Tonight that he hasn’t discussed
January 9, 2022
Now in New York, insurers can't reject you for what kind of dog you own
ALBANY — A new state law prohibits insurance companies from refusing to provide insurance to homeowners based on dog breeds, a move that's drawing
January 4, 2022
State Sen. Mike Gianaris on new legislative session in Albany
Gov. Kathy Hochul will deliver her first State of the State address on Wednesday from inside the Assembly chamber., but because of the surge in COVID-19
October 29, 2020
N.Y. Senate bill would provide rent relief to NYCHA residents with gas, electric outages
ALBANY — Sen. Michael Gianaris wants to help public housing residents who are being left out in the cold or without a way to cook a hot meal
October 29, 2020
Top state Dem backs bill to increase NYC polling sites amid early voting debacle
The bill from state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) would force the BOE to double the number of sites it provides to cast
June 23, 2020
Statement from Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris on Election Night Victory
This election was unlike any we’ve experienced and I am thrilled that thousands of Queens residents delivered our campaign a resounding victory affirming
June 3, 2020
Queens Gazette: GIANARIS RECEIVES 2,500 SMALL DONATIONS
Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris’ reelection campaign filed its latest financial disclosure report on May 22, revealing more than 2,500 donors in the
May 31, 2020
Editorial: When shelter is the storm
A measure proposed by state Sen. Michael Gianaris would waive — not just delay, but waive — 90 days of rent payments for people
May 26, 2020
New York Sen. Gianaris Raises From Small Dollar Donors
The re-election campaign of Sen. Mike Gianaris raised $84,855 in the most recent reporting period, almost entirely from small-dollar
April 9, 2020
Any Rent Is Too Damn High: A Proposal for the Coronavirus Economy
Michael Gianaris has a plan to address New York’s coronavirus-induced rent crisis, and he wants it implemented two weeks ago — not tomorrow.
March 31, 2020
Rent strike idea gaining steam during crisis
ST. LOUIS — With millions of people suddenly out of work and rent due at the first of the month, some tenants are vowing to go on a rent strike until the
March 28, 2020
BIDEN, SANDERS DEMAND 3-MONTH FREEZE ON RENT PAYMENTS, EVICTION OF TENANTS ACROSS U.S.
Democratic presidential candidates Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders joined state lawmakers in New York and California in calls to freeze and forgive rent
March 27, 2020
How Will New York’s Rent Freeze Work?
As an unprecedented number of New Yorkers face job losses this month, a bill before the New York State Senate and Assembly has proposed a 90-day rent
March 27, 2020
Out of work Americans brace for rent and mortgage payments
BROOKLYN — The first of the month is just days away and that's causing a lot of anxiety for many New Yorkers who find themselves suddenly unemployed
March 25, 2020
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WILL STRUGGLE TO PAY RENT IN APRIL, BUT FEW IN CONGRESS CARE
ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, rent payments will be due for the first time since the coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic — yet even with unemployment at
March 25, 2020
This NYC lawmaker reveals his coronavirus rent relief proposal
New York State Senator Michael Gianaris is unveiling a plan that will offer 90 days of rent forgiveness to residential and commercial tenants if they lose
March 24, 2020
State Lawmakers Pushing For Coronavirus Rent Cancellation Say Cuomo Is MIA
The push to cancel rent in New York is intensifying, as millions of tenants grapple with financial hardship wrought by COVID-19. On the state level
March 19, 2020
Coronavirus economic relief: N.Y. Sen. Gianaris calls for rent suspension while NYC Speaker Johnson wants $550 for every New
ALBANY — A Queens lawmaker wants to provide some much needed financial relief to New Yorkers impacted by the coronavirus crisis by suspending rent
January 14, 2020
CWA STANDS WITH SENATOR GIANARIS REELECTION BID
NEW YORK - Following a monumental 2019 legislative session that saw massive gains for working people throughout the state, the Communications Workers of
December 12, 2019
Senator Gianaris announces endorsement of 32BJ SEIU, largest property service workers union in the country
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Senator Michael Gianaris announced the endorsement of 32BJ SEIU in his re-election campaign. 32BJ SEIU is the largest property service
December 9, 2019
NY state senator: ‘We don’t need to subsidize the largest companies in the world’
Amazon says it’s expanding its workforce in New York City, but this time it won’t get billions in incentives like those it gave up earlier this year
December 9, 2019
Criminal justice reform activists, crime victims fight back against concerns about coming New York reforms, say critics
ALBANY — Advocates and supporters of criminal justice reforms slated to take effect next month are fed up with the criticisms coming from cops and
December 8, 2019
Trump changed everything’: Big cities break hard left in Democratic primary
PHILADELPHIA — In the shadow of Joe Biden’s campaign headquarters sitting across from City Hall, Elizabeth Warren has snagged endorsements from
September 3, 2019
Lawmakers mull public takeover at Con Ed outage hearing
Lawmakers from New York City pressed Con Edison President Tim Cawley on Tuesday for answers about two major blackouts — and some toyed with the idea that
August 12, 2019
In Speech, Gianaris Charts Progressive Path For Senate Dems
Deputy Senate Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, in many ways, has his feet in two worlds, straddling the establishment structure in Queens and embracing the
August 5, 2019
Sorry not Sorry (Podcast): To Impeach or Not to Impeach
Alyssa Milano is joined by John Bonifaz, an attorney who specializes in constitutional law and voting rights, and Renato Mariotti, a former federal
August 5, 2019
Can Michael Gianaris lead the revolution?
Michael Gianaris is aware of his surroundings. On a warm July morning at a café, just weeks after the end of a state legislative session that featured the
July 18, 2019
Don’t flinch, Democrats: Keep pressing a bold agenda in Albany and Washington
The Democratic Party is at a crossroads, and which path we choose to follow will dictate whether the American people will have the faith to place their
June 27, 2019
Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris Announces $20,000 for Immigrant Families Together
LONG ISLAND CITY, NY – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris on June 24 announced $20,000 in funding for Immigrant Families
June 26, 2019
Senate Passes Gianaris’ Automatic Voter Registration Act
The NYS Senate majority passed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CCPA) to address the
June 17, 2019
Gianaris, Who Helped Craft Legislation, Cheered Vote on Major Overhaul That Supports Tenants
State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, parts of Woodside, Maspeth
May 3, 2019
Michael Gianaris slams Board of Elections’ early voting plan
Albany — The New York City Board of Elections is coming under fire for its plans for the first ever early voting elections this fall
April 4, 2019
NY State Senator Michael Gianaris discusses how legislators plan to raise funds for mass transit
New York State Senator Michael Gianaris joins “Squawk Box” to discuss the New York state budget he just
March 22, 2019
John Legend & Michael Gianaris: How New York’s Bail System Makes Innocent People Less Safe
We all want to feel safe. People look to the criminal justice system to provide that feeling, but for many
March 16, 2019
Gianaris calls for hate-crime probe over homophobic sign in Queens subway station
State Sen. Mike Gianaris has asked Police Commissioner James O’Neill to open a hate crimes probe into
February 11, 2019
CAPITOL PRESSROOM with Sen. Mike Gianaris
Last week, reports surfaced that Amazon was beginning to worry about the political resistance to their
January 31, 2019
Gun control bills pass in legislature
A package of gun control bills passed the New York State Legislature on Tuesday. The wide-ranging
January 29, 2019
Senate Deputy Leader Gianaris, Senate Majority Stand up for Survivors, Pass Child Victims Act
ALBANY, NY – Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris, along with the Senate Majority Conference, passed the
January 24, 2019
New state senators aim for early wins with old legislation
Not every state senator gets to start off a new legislative session by receiving a standing ovation, but that was the reality on
January 17, 2019
Amazon's New Office Propaganda Campaign Has Begun
The much-hyped "HQ2" is still a way off, but the tech goliath is already sending out fliers to quell the uprising
January 10, 2019
With the State Senate now ruled by Democrats, and Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins the new majority leader, bills that had been
ALBANY — For years, the ways in which voters in New York have been stymied by the state’s antiquated voting laws have stood
January 3, 2019
Now’s the Time for Automatic Voter Registration in New York
Over the last several decades, 15 states across the country – both red and blue – have modernized their voting laws, including our neighbors
December 12, 2018
Democratic state senator blasts Amazon's HQ2 as a PR scam, saying 'New York fell for it'
New York struck a "bad deal" with Amazon to bring one of the tech giant's East Coast headquarters to Queens, New York state Sen. Michael Gianaris told
December 18, 2018
State Senator Michael Gianaris (r.) announces legislation to curb real estate inside information after reports say Amazon
A Queens lawmaker who has been out front in his opposition to the state and city deal that will bring Amazon to Long Island City since it was
