Contact: Michael Fraser, (518) 455-3751
"The Assembly Majority Conference has an opportunity to move forward with an important job-creating measure, and I encourage Speaker Silver to ensure a vote is taken on mixed martial arts (MMA) legislation, Assembly Bill A.6506.
There is strong support on both sides of the aisle in the Assembly. The Senate has passed the legislation in each of the last four years. MMA is legal and thriving in 48 other states. It is long past time for the Assembly Majority to bring the measure to the floor. It is time for an up-or-down vote from the entire Assembly.
Assembly members from both conferences recognize that this bill will generate jobs, increase revenue for local governments and stimulate economic activity across New York, particularly in upstate communities where it is vitally needed. New Yorkers deserve measures that facilitate a stronger economy, and this bill - at the very least - deserves to come to a vote.
We were elected to act in the best interests of the people, and to represent their concerns through public policy development, debate and dialogue. Unfortunately, that process has been stifled here. Each member of the Assembly should have the opportunity to vote on MMA legislation and provide the kind of representation the public expects. It is time for Speaker Silver to bring MMA legislation to the floor and allow his members the opportunity to do what they were elected to do."