Column: State Senator Tom O'Mara

"Restoring commonsense public safety must be a priority"

ALBANY, Aug. 16, 2026 -- Our Senate Republican conference began this year by unveiling a comprehensive legislative agenda known as "Save New York." We hoped to set the stage for a legislative session that would prioritize affordability, improve public safety and security, and build a stronger and safer New York overall.

It has been my belief since 2019, in fact, when state government fell under complete, one-party, far-left leadership, that extreme policies enacted under one-party control have had a direct impact on the quality of life and opportunity across this state. And not for the better.

It remains my belief. That's particularly true in several key areas of public policy and legislative decision-making, especially public safety. As part of our Republican conference "Save New York" agenda, we call for actions to prioritize victims over criminals; reverse misguided criminal justice policies and reject the further erosion of our criminal justice system; fight to end domestic and other violence against women; better protect the safety of our seniors; protect and empower our law enforcement officers; address New York's security vulnerabilities; confront the substance use and mental health epidemics; and reduce overdose deaths and close treatment gaps, among numerous other priorities.

It follows our efforts over the past several years to push back against the rise of violent crimes and increasing criminal activity in cities and communities throughout New York resulting, in our view, from an overall pro-criminal, anti-police climate fostered under all-Democrat rule.

We're not alone in our alarm. The latest statewide Siena Research Institute poll shows that nearly half of New Yorkers think the state is headed in the wrong direction.

Unfortunately, these concerns continue to fall on deaf ears in Albany, especially among Democrat leaders. What hasn't changed, however, is the commitment from our Senate and Assembly Republican conferences to turn things around and stop this so-called progressive madness from continuing to spiral out of control.

Our conferences have, in fact, called and continue to call on state leaders to take numerous actions to make New York State safer. For example, we have called for a full examination of what's impacting public safety and crime statewide, including the Albany Democrats' so-called criminal justice "reforms," the HALT Act, and we have proposed the PROTECT Act to allow judges in New York State to consider the dangerousness of the accused in setting bail. New York remains the only state that does not afford judges this discretion.

It's a call that's been backed by the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, the New York State Sheriffs Association, and others. The Senate GOP agenda would add to our ongoing efforts to strengthen protections for law enforcement and first responders through a "Protect Those Who Protect Us" package of legislation. We have also advanced a series of parole reform measures recognizing the dangers of an out-of-control state Parole Board that continues to release cop killers, child murderers, and other violent inmates back into society -- as well as Democrat legislation on the table that seeks to pave the way for the release of more and more incarcerated violent criminals.

Our commitment extends to fully addressing safety within New York's correctional facilities, which have become powder kegs of violence threatening, on a daily basis, the safety and well-being of correctional officers and staff, as well as inmates themselves. In June at the Elmira Correctional Facility, for example, a nurse was assaulted and suffered a broken shoulder while giving out medication, while three correctional officers were injured attempting to remove the inmate from his cell.

Following that incident in Elmira, Kenny Gold, Western Region Vice President of the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), said, "A simple routine of delivering medication to inmates is not a simple task anymore. At any moment, staff can be attacked by violent inmates even while performing the most mundane duties, and this is exactly what happened at Elmira."

It's an all-too-common occurrence and it has been exacerbated through a long series of administrative and legislative policies, carried out by successive Democrat governors and the current leadership of the State Legislature since 2019 (again, when Democrats obtained majority control of both houses of the Legislature), that have largely ignored the actions of violent inmates.

Our message is straightforward: Enough is enough. We need to stand up, speak out, and fight against the pro-criminal, anti-law enforcement mentality and policies that keep going too far in New York State.

While the Democrat majorities in control of the State Legislature show absolutely no sign of letting up in their push for imposing a far-left agenda that only stands to embolden society's criminal element and, therefore, will keep making this state and our communities less safe, it is our role in the minority to keep fighting and to grow public outcry demanding
the enactment of legislation that puts crime victims and community safety first.

We need to remain focused on a criminal justice agenda geared towards restoring common sense.

Many New Yorkers are looking for a redirection of priorities and resources to begin truly addressing unmet challenges and crises, as well as charting a course for a more sane, more sensible, and more sustainable state government. It's time to get this state back on track towards a safer and stronger future.

Now more than ever, we need commonsense New Yorkers to stand up firmly and loudly demand these important changes.

Photo in text: State Senator Tom O'Mara

Legislature Chairman

Carl Blowers, 535-6174 or 237-5469

Legislature Members:

Gary Gray, 292-9922

Robert Halpin

Jeffrey Fazzary

Gail M. Walker

Phil Barnes, Watkins Glen, 481-0482

Mark Rondinaro, 398-0648

Laurence Jaynes

County Clerk: Theresa Philbin, 535-8133

Sheriff: Kevin Rumsey, 535-8222

Undersheriff: Andrew Zeigler, 535-8222

County Treasurer: Holley Sokolowski, 535-8181

District Attorney: Jeremy Hourilhan, 535-8383

State, Federal Officials for Schuyler County

Sen. Charles E. Schumer

United States Senate
313 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510-3201
DC Phone: 202-224-6542
DC Fax: 202-228-3027
Email Address: http://schumer.senate.gov/webform.html

Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand

United States Senate
478 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
DC Phone: 202-224-4451
Website: http://gillibrand.senate.gov/

State Senator Tom O'Mara -- Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, and Yates, and eastern Allegany County (towns of Alfred, Almond, Amity, Andover, Birdsall, Burns, Grove, Independence, Scio, Ward, Wellsville, and Willing).

Room 706, Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12247
Phone: (518) 455-2091
Fax: (518) 426-6976
www.omara.nysenate.gov

Assemblyman Phil Palmesano-- All of Schuyler and Yates, majority of Steuben, and portions of Chemung and Seneca counties.

Room 448, Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
Phone: (518) 455-5791
Fax: (518) 455-4644
Website: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Philip-A-Palmesano/