“This fall, I heard the calls from voters saying they were concerned with rising crime and the ever-growing cost of living. Both of these issues are a major reason for many New Yorkers leaving for other states to pursue a better quality of life. Instead of calling for a special session to make New York state legislators the highest paid in the country by a wide margin, we should be holding a special session to tackle issues that are affecting every resident of this state. Fuel, home heating oil, grocery prices and bail reform should be at the forefront of every legislator's mind if a special session is called, not an early Christmas present for legislators while taxpayers get a lump of coal.”