What happened on the first day of the 2025 Legislative Session

And the death of Robert L. Brooks at Marcy has prompted a new bill on correction officers.

Good afternoon — it’s Wednesday and Bubble Bath Day.

In today’s CapCon:

• It was the first day of the legislative session.

• Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie spoke to reporters at length and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins laid out priorities in floor remarks.

• Republicans responded with their own priorities and what they think Democrats should focus on.

• Immigrant advocates want lawmakers to approve a package of bills to preempt deportation attempts by the incoming Trump administration.

• A bill was introduced Wednesday in response to the death of Robert L. Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility last month.

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(Will Waldron/Times Union)

🔨 Here’s what happened on the first day of the legislative session

First of all — forget about government. Uncommon Grounds is finally opening on the concourse Monday. That’s the real news. 🥯

But I guess you want to hear about what happened at the Capitol Wednesday on the first day of the legislative session.

The first thing you’ll probably want to know is that both the Senate and the Assembly majorities are announcing committee assignments Thursday, not today. I’ve heard some but would rather give you a full list tomorrow so we don’t get any wires crossed.

The second thing you’ll probably want to know is how the leaders of the Legislature kicked things off (after their opening receptions, of course.)

Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie answered questions from reporters and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins was elected as the longest-serving Democrat to hold that position in about a century.

But it was actually Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado who spoke first.

“Let us remember that governing is not the same as campaigning,” said Delgado. “Governing is about representation.”

“Everyone in this body represents real people, real families with real hopes and dreams and we do right by them when we govern responsibly, effectively, collaboratively with transparency and accountability” he added.

I tried to ambush him after the Senate adjourned but didn’t see where he went. He gave a shout-out to the state Office of Service and Civic Engagement which he says he’ll “continue to build out.”

Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie (Will Waldron/Times Union)

🗣️ What did the legislative leaders say?

I want to start by telling you what Heastie told reporters in the afternoon because those answers gave us some pretty good clues about how the Assembly could view some of the top issues before them this year.