Democrat response to key 2024 issues

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Issues brought up by candidates in the 2024 Presidential election continued to impact the political climate in New York. In response to our one-on-one with Elise Stefanik, we spoke with one of the top Democrats in the State Senate to get the Democrat response.

This week on Empire State Weekly, State Senator Michael Gianaris, a Democrat representing the 12th Senate District (Queens, New York), commented on key issues brought up at the national level. These included mail-in voting, early voting, and election security, among other topics.

He also gave his reaction to the change in the Democratic ticket, when President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race to be replaced by Vice President Kamala Harris.

"[We've] got our horse in the right place at the starting gate or on the right footing for when the gates open up, but that happens next week, and then the final sprint for the two months to election day are gonna determine the way this goes," said Gianaris. "But what we've done now is given ourselves a fighting chance."

Also this week, cideries and distilleries across the state received some additional support this month. The Governor signed a law that allowed these businesses to ship their produce directly to customers.

Some liquor store owners expressed concerns that this would negatively impact their business. Lily Fan, the Chair of the New York State Liquor Authority, explained that a production limit is in place to keep cideries and distilleries from producing excessively. She said it will eventually push the two industries to work together.

"With the production limit, they will eventually ship and ship and ship, then they will graduate into a situation where they have to distribute through traditional distribution, which is through the liquor stores and through the wholesalers," said Fan.

To see these interviews and more, here is a list of how you can watch Empire State Weekly in your area of New York: