Minority Leader wants 'concrete' steps toward affordability in 2025

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — State lawmakers typically leave the capitol in late December, with the legislative session starting on January 8. Ahead of the session start many lawmakers are looking back at the past year and making plans for what they want to see in the new year.

This week on Empire State Weekly State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt said he believes the 2024 legislative session did not have many as successes as it could have. He said in 2025 he'd like to see the governor take steps to make things more affordable for New York residents.

"Let's do something concrete, long-lasting and multi-faceted to try to drive down grocery prices, or help people out with more money, more take-home pay, by cutting their taxes," said Ortt.

Also this week Felicia A. B. Reid, the acting Executive Director for the Office Of Cannabis Management, explained the major milestones the industry reached in 2024. According to Reid, the industry increased the number of legal adult-use marijuana dispensaries, and decreasing the number of illegal sales will remain a priority in 2025.

"When my law enforcement team goes into some of these stores, the things that they have found are really incredible— everything from fentanyl, ghost guns, to some of the things you wouldn't want anywhere near what you are trying to consume as a matter of cannabis," said Reid.

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