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The BNP hosted Policy Perspective, a piece of the BNP’s annual Government Affairs series.  

The standing-room-only crowd heard from three of our region’s most influential lawmakers: Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, Senator April Baskin, and Senator Patrick Gallivan. The lawmakers spoke on a panel moderated by BNP Director of Government Affairs Josh Veronica.  

At the event, lawmakers reviewed some of the key economic issues debated in the 2025 legislative session, and also gave insights on where the State Legislature needs to move next.

Topics included: 

• Housing: how to unleash housing development and make homes more accessible.  

• Energy and Climate: the NY HEAT Act, nuclear power, the state of the grid, and how to pursue emission reductions at the proper pace.  

• Extended Producer Responsibility: how the state should address packaging waste.  

• Healthcare: how to expand access to care and adapt to the changing federal landscape.  

• Public safety: how to combat organized crime and make New York safer.  

By hearing from lawmakers from different districts, different parties, different chambers, and different backgrounds, attendees were exposed to the variety of perspectives toward the issues before our state. 

The BNP also highlighted its numerous advocacy wins from the 2025 session, including paid off unemployment insurance debt, rightsizing of pay frequency penalties, funding a number of regional priorities, and avoiding bad legislation like the NY HEAT Act or prevailing wage expansion. Learn more here. 

Through the BNP, members regularly have the opportunity to connect with our region’s elected leaders.  Stay tuned for our next Government Affairs event!