Albany, NY — During a recent Local Governments Committee public hearing, where I serve as ranking Minority member, I had the opportunity to ask New York City Mayor Eric Adams about critical issues impacting public safety in New York City, including congestion pricing, the city’s migrant crisis response and bail reform.

Among the key issues discussed, I focused on two primary concerns: the impact of congestion pricing on first responders and the balance between resources for public safety and the migrant crisis.

I began by raising concerns about the lack of exemption for first responders in the proposed congestion pricing plan. Adams, a former first responder and police officer, should understand how crucial it is for firefighters, paramedics and police officers to move quickly through the city’s streets in emergency situations. Any delay caused by traffic restrictions could jeopardize lives. These professionals must be able to do their jobs, which is why I asked Mayor Adams how he justifies the absence of an exemption for them, particularly when time is often a matter of life or death.

In the governor’s recent State of the State address, she stated that recent changes to New York's bail laws have given judges the tools needed to handle repeat offenders, and no further changes are necessary. I asked Mayor Adams if he agrees with this assessment—of course, I do not. I believe there are still significant issues in our bail system that need to be addressed to protect New Yorkers and ensure repeat offenders face the consequences they deserve.

In closing, while Mayor Adams was polite and responsive during our conversation, his answers on both congestion pricing and bail reform remained somewhat vague, likely influenced by the considerable personal and political pressures he is currently facing. While I appreciate his willingness to engage on these critical issues, the lack of concrete details on how these policies will be implemented leaves much to be desired. New Yorkers are looking for clear solutions to the challenges of congestion pricing and the need for bail reform, and it’s crucial that we continue to press for answers that prioritize the safety and well-being of our communities.