Judy Griffin - Assembly District 21 |Assembly Member Directory

Birthdate (optional)

1. What are the TOP THREE pressing issues you want prioritized in the 2026 State Budget and Legislative Session? (Select up to 3 in each group)

Group I

Cost of living (groceries, gas, everyday expenses)

Property tax relief / local tax burden

Housing affordability (rent, first-time homebuying, senior downsizing)

Rising utility costs

Universal Pre-K

Affordable childcare

Education (funding, special education, mental health resources)

Senior resources & services / aging-in-place supports

Veteran resources, services, opportunities

Opioid addiction prevention & treatment

Healthcare access (including mental health)

Group II

Higher education/workforce development

Jobs, economic growth & small business support / downtown vitality

Public safety and crime

Road and pedestrian safety

Transportation and regional infrastructure (LIRR reliability, buses, roads,)

Clean water & environmental health (PFAS, groundwater, bays)

Coastal flooding and resiliency

Climate change and renewable energy

Federal funding cutbacks

Immigration policy and ICE operations

Prison reform (see Question 14 for specific examples)

Other:

2. Housing in AD-21: Which statement best describes your situation?

I rent and my rent has become difficult to afford

I own and my mortgage/taxes/insurance have become difficult to afford

I am a senior trying to age in place

I am trying to buy my first home and can’t compete

I am a small landlord and experiencing difficulty with tenants/expenses

I am stable right now, but worried about the next 1–2 years

My housing situation is stable and I am not worried about future housing needs

Not Applicable

3.

Water quality & environmental health

A.

How concerned are you about drinking water quality and local water pollution (including “forever chemicals” like PFAS)?

Very concerned

Somewhat

Slightly

Not concerned

Not sure / need more information

B.

When it comes to protecting drinking water on Long Island, which approach do you believe works best?

Stronger state oversight of private water utilities

Greater public or municipal control of water systems

Maintain current systems with improved regulations

Not sure / need more information

C.

Which should be the state’s TOP local environmental priority? (Select up to 2)

Drinking water protections/testing/filtration support

Upgrading sewage systems

Protecting and restoring the South Shore Estuary

Increasing coastal resiliency against climate change

Keeping our bays and waterways clean & harmful algae reduction

Cleanup of legacy contamination sites

Coastal flooding mitigation/green infrastructure funding

4. The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A.1749-known as Extended Producer Responsibility or “EPR”) would require businesses with a net income over $5 million to reduce unnecessary packaging to decrease waste and remove toxins, increase the use of recycled materials for packaging, and fund municipal recycling programs.This act aims to shift the cost of waste management from tax payers to large corporations. This measure will save municipalities money and has been endorsed by NY's mayors and county and town leaders. Are you supportive of this legislation?

Yes

No

Don’t know

5.

Safer Communities

A.

Where should additional investment go to enhance community safety? (Select up to 2)

Mental health crisis response & prevention

Youth programs / after-school / mentorship

Addressing addiction & substance use

Roadway safety (dangerous driving, drugged driving speed enforcement, redesign)

Community policing / equipment / training

Gun Safety

Domestic violence prevention & victim services

B.

In recent years, there has been an increase in e-bikes in our communities. Please indicate your support/opposition for the following proposals to enhance safety in our communities.

A9197 would require license plates for bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters

Support

Oppose

Unsure/Don’t know

A9213 would mandate protective head gear for operators of bicycles with electric assist, electric scooters, and motor-driven cycles

Support

Oppose

Unsure/Don’t know

A9201 would prohibit the sale of e-bikes, e-scooters, and motor-driven cycles to persons less than sixteen years of age. It would also establish licensing requirements

Support

Oppose

Unsure/Don’t know

A9209 would require manufacturers shipping bicycles with electric assist and electric scooters to provide lights

Support

Oppose

Unsure/Don’t know

6.

Education & Youth

What should be the state’s top education funding priority for our local schools? (Select up to 2)

Universal Pre-Kindergarten

Special education services

School-based mental health support

Career/technical education & workforce pathways

Resources & staff to enhance the learning environment

School safety infrastructure

Gifted & talented programs, advanced placement and other enrichment offerings

7.

Higher Education/Workforce Development

A.

This year, New York State implemented free community college for those aged 25-55 in high-demand fields and industries. So far, the program has been successful in boosting enrollment and allowing individuals to access higher education, regardless of cost. Do you support this program?

Yes

No

Not sure

B.

Do you support ensuring that tuition at four-year SUNY/CUNY colleges/universities is affordable?

Yes

No

Not sure

8.

Healthcare & Mental Health

Have you or someone in your household delayed care in the last year due to cost or access?

Yes

No

If yes, what kind of care? (Select up to 2)

Primary care

Specialist

Mental health

Dental/vision

Prescriptions

Other

9.

Small Business Challenges

A.

Do you or your family own a small business?

Yes

No

B.

What challenges stand in the way of prosperity for local small businesses? (Select up to 2)

Taxes

Licensing or permit delays

Salary, unemployment insurance & healthcare costs for employees

Compliance costs

Escalating costs of rent

Tariff costs and supply chain disruptions

Not applicable

10.

Tax Relief

A.

Senior & Veteran Property Tax Exemptions
Are you aware of New York’s property tax relief programs for seniors/veterans and eligible homeowners (such as STAR and related exemptions) and of resources to help you?

Yes, and I currently receive an exemption.

Yes, but I’m not sure if I qualify

No, but I would like to learn more

Not applicable

B.

New York State has reduced middle-class income taxes in recent years, and the middle-class tax rate is now at its lowest in more than 70 years. Do you believe New York should continue to cut middle-class income taxes in this year’s state budget, while also focusing on measures that rein in property taxes?

Yes

No

Not applicable

11.

All Electric Buildings Act

The All-Electric Buildings Act was passed in the 2024 New York State budget. The new law requires newly constructed buildings under seven stories high to use renewable energy sources. This law will also apply to larger commercial buildings, but restaurants, hospitals, medical offices, factories, and agricultural buildings are exempted. Existing buildings are not affected, even if they undergo repairs or renovations. Implementation was set to begin January 1, 2026, but certain trade groups and unions challenged it. Implementation is now delayed until an appeals court decides a ruling. Many people believe it should remain paused pending a thorough reassessment of grid reliability, cost impacts, and risk mitigation. Do you support moving forward as scheduled, or do you believe it should be delayed?

Move forward as scheduled.

Delay implementation until more information is ascertained

Don’t know

12.

Federal changes & local impact

Have federal government actions/changes (funding cuts, program rule changes, or service disruptions) impacted you or your family?

Yes

Not yet

Not sure

If yes, what area has been most impacted? (Select up to 3)

Healthcare/mental health services

Food assistance/nutrition programs

Childcare/family supports

Drug addiction treatment

Housing assistance/homelessness services

Heating/energy assistance

Education supports

Veterans services

Immigration/legal services

Other

13.

Immigration enforcement

New York State, like every other state in our country, has no jurisdiction in federal matters, and generally can’t supersede federal laws, or even enforce state laws over federal ones. Although this is the case, some people feel the state legislature should work to enact laws that perhaps are unenforceable, but send a message about some federal policies that many New Yorkers do not agree with. The following are four examples of this kind of legislation. Please indicate your support/opposition to the following bills:

A.

MELT Act (A8908)-would prohibit local, state and federal law enforcement officers from wearing any mask or personal disguise while interacting with the public in the performance of their duties; excludes certain protective masks.

Support

Oppose

Unsure/Don’t know

B.

RADAR Act (A9376) would authorize the NYS Department of Criminal Justice Services to monitor federal immigration enforcement activity and publicly report data on arrests, detentions and removals by immigration enforcement officers.

Support

Oppose

Unsure/Don’t know

C.

NY 4 All A3506A would prohibit state and local entities from using resources to assist in federal immigration enforcement activities. For example, the bill would prohibit county correctional facilities from entering into agreements with federal immigration enforcement agents or directing county funds from being used to carry out these federal activities.

Support

Oppose

Unsure/Don’t know

D.

Local Cops, Local Crimes Act was recently proposed by Governor Hochul and would generally limit when local law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities, while still allowing cooperation in cases involving serious or violent crimes, judicial warrants, or threats to public safety.

Based on this description, which best reflects your view?

Support limiting local police cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to serious crime and public safety cases

Oppose limiting cooperation and believe local and federal law enforcement should work together more broadly

Support some limits, but would want to see specific details before deciding

Unsure / Need More Information

14. Prison Reform Legislation-Please indicate your support/opposition to the following bills:

A.

Second Look Act (A.531) would allow incarcerated individuals serving long sentences to petition a judge for a resentencing hearing after serving a portion of their time.

Support

Oppose

Unsure/Don’t know

B.

Elder Parole Act (A.2035) would grant automatic parole eligibility to individuals aged 55 or older who have served at least 15 years in state prison regardless of their crime or sentence length.

Support

Oppose

Unsure/Don’t know

C.

Earned Time Act (A.2036) would allow incarcerated people to earn credits to reduce their sentence length for completing educational, vocational, or therapeutic programs.

Support

Oppose

Unsure/Don’t know

15. Please share one local issue you want resolved.

What is one issue in your neighborhood or community that you most want addressed in 2026?