Addressing the Housing Crisis
Senator May's proposal for a state revolving fund for low-cost financing for housing construction became the NY Housing Acceleration Fund. (Read more)
The permitting review process can add 10-20% to the cost of building housing Often it stops construction altogether. Rachel's proposal to streamline the environmental quality review process is poised to become law in the 2026 budget. (Read More)
Protecting Our Environment
Senator May understands the importance of protecting our water. Thats why she fought to get $500 million in the State Budget to protect clean water infrastructure, as well as dedicated funding for protecting the Eastern Finger Lakes. (Read More)
Many people in Central NY are struggling with high utility proces, and extreme weather like the arctic winter of 2026 is only making it worse. Rachel has long believed that homegrown green energy is the best long-term strategy to hold prices down, reduce vulnerability to oil shocks, and address the changing climate at the same time. She has passed bills to make the grid more reliable and efificent and supports efforts to rein in utility profiteering. (Read More)
Defending Human Rights
NY was built on welcoming those in need. The Trump Administration's brutal policies toward immigrants and even citizens who defend them has gone too far. Rachel strongly supports protecting our neighbors from masked thugs who violate due process and providing legal aid and social services to immigrants.
Ever since the Supreme Court took away abortion rights from Americans, we have seen nighmare scenarios play out in many states, where pregnant women in crisis are unable to receive the health care they need, and doctors fear criminal prosecution if they even treat a woman experiencing a miscarriage. Senator May passed legislation that shields reproductive healthcare providers from unfair criminal charges in other states. (Read More)
Making Life More Affordable
Senator May led the charge to reduce NY State taxes on the middle class to the lowest rate in 70 years. (Read More)
Senate Democrats are fighting in 2026 to reduce costs to working families through significant investments in child care, school meals, assistance with rent and the costs of homeownership, and health care.
To address food insecurity and the crisis in agriculture caused by tariffs, trade wars, and rising costs of fuel and fertilizer, the Senate is expanding state purchases of NY produce for schools and food banks. (Read More)
Boosting our Towns and Cities
Senator May fought for the first increase in unrestricted state aid to municipalities in over a decade, bringing home millions for Syracuse and Auburn, as well as much-needed increases to towns and villages across the district. (Read More)
To help small business, Senator May funded an expansion of the Tech Garden in downtown Syracuse that will engage entrepreneurs, high schoolers, and established businesses in building our economy. (Read More)
When a college closes its doors, it can devastate the local community. Senator May passed a law that effectively requires the state to treat a college closing as a state of emergency in its town.
In Cayuga County, local governments can manage drinking water and sewer services, but increasingly heavy rainfall is causing severe problems with runoff, which doesn't fall under their purview. Senator May has authored legislation to give water authorities tools for managing storm water and incentivizing best practices to reduce flooding.
Strengthening our Schools
Our children are our future, our teachers deserve support, and parents need to have the peace of mind that their childrens' schools are well funded. That's why Senate Democrats have fought school budget cuts and prevented property tax hikes. (Read More)
Senator May expanded universal Pre-Kindergarten across New York to make sure all children are well prepared for school. (Read More)