ENCYCLOREADER
KSFNew York State Legislature
From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 84 min
| New York State Legislature | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | January 6, 2021 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Brian Benjamin (D) |
| House Speaker: | Carl Heastie (D) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D) House: Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Robert Ortt (R) House: William Barclay (R) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 63 (Senate), 150 (Assembly) |
| Length of term: | 2 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art III, Sec. 3, New York Constitution |
| Salary: | $110,000/year + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 3, 2020 |
| Next election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Redistricting: | Hybrid |
Contents
- 1 Elections
- 2 Sessions
- 3 Redistricting
- 4 Legislators
- 5 Senate
- 6 Assembly
- 7 District maps
- 8 Veto overrides
- 9 History
- 10 Constitutional amendments
- 11 See also
- 12 External links
- 13 Footnotes
The New York Legislature is the state legislature of New York. It is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the lower chamber, the New York State Assembly, and the upper chamber, the New York State Senate.
The legislature is seated at the New York State Capitol in Albany.
New York has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Elections[edit]
2022[edit]
Elections for the New York State Senate will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022.
Elections for the New York State Assembly will take place in 2022. The general election is on November 8, 2022.
2020[edit]
Elections for the office of New York State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 23, 2020. The filing deadline was April 2, 2020.
Elections for the office of New York State Assembly took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 23, 2020. The filing deadline was April 2, 2020.
2018[edit]
Elections for the New York State Senate took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on September 13, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was July 12, 2018.[1]
Elections for the New York State Assembly took place in 2018. The closed primary election took place on September 13, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was July 12, 2018.[2]
2016[edit]
Elections for the New York State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The filing deadline for major party candidates was July 14, 2016. The filing deadline for independent candidates was August 23, 2016.
Elections for the New York State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The filing deadline for major party candidates was July 14, 2016. The filing deadline for independent candidates was August 23, 2016.
2014[edit]
Elections for the New York State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election took place November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 10, 2014.
Elections for the New York State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 10, 2014.
2012[edit]
Elections for the office of New York State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 13, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was July 12, 2012.
Elections for the office of New York State Assembly took place in 2012. The primary election was held on September 13, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was July 12, 2012.
2010[edit]
Elections for the office of New York State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 22, 2010.
Elections for the office of New York State Assembly took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 22, 2010.
Sessions[edit]
Article III of the New York Constitution outlines the legislative power for New York's government. Article III does not limit when the Legislature can convene in regular session. However, Section 18 of Article III does contain provisions related to special sessions of the Legislature. Section 18 states that a special session can be called by a petition of request from two-thirds of both legislative houses. Since the Legislature is in session all year, a member must gavel in a session every three days. If a member does not gavel in a session, then only the governor can call the Legislature back into session.[3]
2021[edit]
In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 6, 2021, and adjourn on June 10, 2021.
2020[edit]
In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 8, 2020, and adjourn on December 31, 2020.
[edit]
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| Coronavirus pandemic |
| Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.
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Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
2019[edit]
In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2019, through January 8, 2020.
2018[edit]
In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2018, through June 20, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. |
|---|
2017[edit]
In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 4, 2017, through December 31, 2017. The legislature held a special session from June 28, 2017, to June 29, 2017. 2016[edit]
In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 6 through June 18. Major issues in 2016[edit]Major issues during the 2016 legislative session included raising the minimum wage, funding public education, ethics reform, and proposals to allow Uber to expand to upstate New York.[4] 2015[edit]
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 7 through June 25. Major issues in 2015[edit]Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included lifting the cap on charter schools, increasing the minimum wage, criminal justice reform, campaign financing, and ethics reform.[5][6] 2014[edit]
In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 8 through June 23. Major issues in 2014[edit]Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included a raise in the minimum wage, a cut in corporate tax rates, rebuilding airports and other infrastructure, legalizing medical marijuana, and property tax rebates.[7] 2013[edit]
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 9 to December 31. Major issues in 2013[edit]Gun control topped the list to be addressed by legislators in 2013. Other major issues included raising the minimum wage, securing federal dollars for victims of Superstorm Sandy, education, job creation, legalizing casinos off of Native American lands, and restrictions to the New York City Police Department's stop-and-frisk procedures.[8] Gun control: Corruption: 2012[edit]
In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 4 through June 22. Major issues in 2012[edit]Redistricting was an important issue in 2011 and had to be dealt with in 2012. Other issues included addressing a $3.5 billion budget gap and a proposal to ban hydrofracking.[12] 2011[edit]In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 5 to June 20.[13] 2010[edit]In 2010, the legislature convened its regular session on January 6. The Legislature remained in regular session throughout the year. Additionally, the Legislature was in an ongoing special session, which convened in 2009, dealing with issues of deficit reduction.[14] |
Role in state budget[edit]
- See also: New York state budget and finances
New York on 
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New York operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[15]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies between August and September.
- State agencies submit budget requests in October.
- Agency hearings are held between October and November.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the New York State Legislature in mid-January. The deadline is February 1 in years following a gubernatorial election.
- The legislature adopts a budget in March. A simple majority is needed to pass a budget.
- The fiscal year begins in April.
New York is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[15]
The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget. In turn, the legislature is required by statute to pass a balanced budget.[15]
Redistricting[edit]
- See also: Redistricting in New York
On March 14, 2012, the state legislature approved a constitutional amendment to establish new redistricting procedures beginning in 2020. The New York Constitution requires that two successive legislatures approve an amendment in order to qualify it for final approval by popular vote. The legislature approved the amendment a second time in 2013. On November 4, 2014, voters approved the amendment, the provisions of which were set to take effect during the 2020 redistricting cycle.[16]
The 10-member commission comprises the following members:[16]
- Two members must be appointed by the temporary president of the New York State Senate.
- Two members must be appointed by the speaker of the New York State Assembly.
- Two members must be appointed by the minority leader of the New York State Senate.
- Two members must be appointed by the minority leader of the New York State Assembly.
- Two members must appointed by the aforementioned eight commissioners. These two appointees cannot have been enrolled in the top two major political parties in the state.
The legislature must approve the commission's plans by a simple up/down vote. The legislature must reject two separate sets of redistricting plans before it will be able to amend the commission's proposals. All districts will be required "to preserve minority rights, be equally populated, and consist of compact and contiguous territory." Further, state law will require that districts "not be drawn to discourage competition or to favor/disfavor candidates or parties." In prior redistricting cycles, authority for both congressional and state legislative redistricting was vested with the state legislature. An advisory commission participated in the process.[16]
State law requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. State legislative districts must also take into account the "historic and traditional significance of counties."[16]
2020[edit]
Upon completion of the 2020 census, New York will draft and enact new district maps. On July 12, the New York Independent Redistricting Commission announced an initial series of virtual hearings. The Commission released its first redistricting proposal to the public on September 15, 2021.[17] The Commission then announced a second round of public hearings on the map proposals.[18] The first deadline for the commission to submit map proposals to the legislature for approval is Jan. 1, 2022, and the second deadline is Jan. 15, 2022.[19]
| New York Independent Redistricting Commission initial virtual hearing schedule, 2020 cycle | |
|---|---|
| Date | Region |
| July 20, 2021 | Nassau/Suffolk counties at 2pm |
| July 22, 2021 | Queens county at 2pm |
| July 26, 2021 | Bronx/New York counties |
| July 29, 2021 | Kings and Richmond counties at 2pm |
| August 2, 2021 | Mid-Hudson Valley/Capital Region at 2pm |
| August 5, 2021 | North Country/Mohawk Valley regions at 2pm |
| August 9, 2021 | Southern Tier/Central NY regions at 2pm |
| August 12, 2021 | Finger Lakes/Western NY regions at 2pm |
| New York Independent Redistricting Commission second public hearing schedule, 2020 cycle | |
|---|---|
| Date | Region |
| October 20, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. | Buffalo |
| October 21, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. | Rochester |
| October 25, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. | Southern Tier |
| October 26, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. | Syracuse |
| October 27, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. | North Country |
| November 1, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. | Albany |
| November 8, 2021 - 3:00 p.m. | White Plains |
| November 9, 2021 - 3:00 p.m. | Bronx |
| November 10, 2021 - 3:00 p.m. | Manhattan |
| November 15, 2021 - 3:00 p.m. | Staten Island |
| November 16, 2021 - 3:00 p.m. | Brooklyn |
| November 17, 2021 - 3:00 p.m. | Queens |
| November 22, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. | Nassau County |
| November 23, 2021 - 4:00 p.m. | Suffolk County |
2010[edit]
New York received its 2010 census data on March 23, 2011. The state's growth rate was at 2.19%, which was below the national rate of 9.7%.[20] Redistricting became an issue in the state prior to the November 2010 elections. Going into the elections, the organization NY Uprising asked all candidates to sign a pledge to support nonpartisan redistricting during the following legislative session. A majority of those who won in both chambers signed the pledge.[21] Additionally, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) stated his pledge to veto any new maps that were not drawn through a nonpartisan process.[22]
Following a number of delays, the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR) released proposed Senate and Assembly maps on January 26, 2012. The Senate plan included an additional 63rd seat. Gov. Cuomo threatened to veto the maps.[23] On March 11, LATFOR filed a bill of their final plans, which closely resembled the maps they released two months earlier. Along with this, leaders offered a constitutional amendment that would set up a new bipartisan commission on redistricting following the next census in 2020.[24] Following a walkout of Senate Democrats, the bill passed. Later that week the constitutional amendment passed.[25] With that approved, Cuomo said, "It’s over once and for all"[26] and signed the maps into law.[27]
Legislators[edit]
Salaries[edit]
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislators | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $110,000/year | For non-overnight travel: $61/day. For overnight stays: $176/day. |
When sworn in[edit]
New York legislators assume office the first day of January after a general election.[28]
Senate[edit]
Each member represented an average of 312,550 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[29] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 306,072.[30]
| Party | As of November 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 42 | |
| Republican Party | 20 | |
| Vacancies | 1 | |
| Total | 63 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Between 1992 and 2020, partisan control of the New York State Senate was primarily held by Republicans. In the 2018 elections, Senate Democrats gained enough seats to assume control of the chamber, which had previously been held by a governing coalition involving the Republican caucus and members of the Independent Democratic Conference between 2012 and 2016. The table below shows the partisan history of the New York State Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2020. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
New York State Senate Party Control: 1992-2020
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 27 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 40 | 43 |
| Republicans | 35 | 36 | 35 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 35 | 33 | 30 | 32 | 30* | 32 | 31* | 23 | 20 |
*A coalition between the Independent Democratic Conference and Senate Republicans kept the Senate in Republican control.
From 1992 to 2008, Republicans held control of the New York State Senate. Throughout the period, Republicans controlled between 33 and 37 seats, while Democrats controlled between 25 and 29 seats. In the 2008 elections, Democrats took control of the Senate with a 32-30 majority. During the 2009 legislative session, two Democratic members joined with Republicans to create a 32-30 coalition majority and gave Republicans control of the chamber. The arrangement lasted until July 2009 when the two Democrats rejoined the Democratic caucus, giving them a 32-30 majority once again.[31][32]
After the 2010 elections, Republicans had a majority in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, Democrats returned to a majority, 33-30, but Republicans built a coalition with the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), a group of five Democratic senators. Dean Skelos (R) was majority leader and shared the leadership position with IDC leader Jeff Klein (D) on a rotating basis.[33]
As a result of the 2014 elections, Republicans gained an outright majority but lost it in a special election on April 19, 2016.[34] Democrats held a 32-31 numerical majority in the Senate following the special election and the 2016 general election but a power-sharing agreement between the IDC and Senate Republicans kept the state Senate in Republican control. After the 2018 elections, Democrats held enough seats to break the Republican-IDC governing coalition. The Democratic majority increased to 43-20 following the 2020 elections.
Assembly[edit]
Each member represented an average of 129,187 residents, as of the 2010 Census.[29] After the 2000 Census, each member represented 126,510.[30]
| Party | As of November 2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 106 | |
| Republican Party | 43 | |
| Independence | 1 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 150 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Between 1992 and 2020, partisan control of the New York State Assembly was held by Democrats. The table below shows the partisan history of the New York State Assembly following every general election from 1992 to 2020. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
New York State Assembly Party Control: 1992-2020
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 101 | 94 | 96 | 98 | 99 | 102 | 104 | 108 | 109 | 99 | 105 | 106 | 106 | 106 | 106 |
| Republicans | 49 | 56 | 54 | 52 | 51 | 48 | 46 | 42 | 41 | 50 | 44 | 44 | 43 | 43 | 43 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
From 1992 to 2020, Democrats held control of the New York State Assembly. Throughout the period, Democrats controlled between 94 and 109 seats, while Republicans controlled between 41 and 56 seats. Assembly Democrats won the 100 seats required for a two-thirds supermajority 10 times between 1992 and 2020. The last time that Republicans held a majority was in 1974.[35]
Between 1992 and 2020, Democrats had their largest majority following the 2008 elections when they held a 68-seat advantage. Despite the national trend toward Republican state legislatures during the presidency of Barack Obama (D), the New York State Assembly was resistant to that trend. Assembly Democrats never fell below 99 seats during Obama's presidency. From 2009 to 2017, Democrats experienced losses in state legislative elections, totaling 968 seats all together.
District maps[edit]
State Senate[edit]