Assemblymember Phil Steck

As the chair of the Committee on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse, I believe we have a responsibility to address this growing challenge. I have several bills in the works aimed at strengthening protections, increasing awareness, and ensuring that resources are available for those who need help.

Problem gambling is on the rise, particularly among young men, and the expansion of online and mobile sports betting has made access easier than ever. While many people participate responsibly, we are also seeing the serious consequences that gambling addiction can have on individuals and families

This morning I had the opportunity to speak at the New York Council on Problem Gambling's annual conference and discuss an issue that is becoming increasingly concerning across our state.

I am proud to stand with NYSNA nurses as they push for the resources and policies needed to protect patients and strengthen healthcare for all New Yorkers. I have the utmost respect for NYSNA and the nurses they represent.

If we want New Yorkers to receive safe, quality care, we need to make sure our hospitals are properly funded, our staffing laws are enforced, and we are doing everything we can to recruit and retain nurses in our healthcare system.

Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, and they are often the first to see when our hospitals and healthcare workers are stretched too thin.

I am always proud to stand with nurses who dedicate their lives to caring for others, and yesterday was no exception. It was an honor to join the @nynurses.bsky.social for their Lobby Day in Albany and speak in support of the critical work they do every day on behalf of patients across New York.

In the coming weeks, I will also release videos addressing housing, grocery costs, and healthcare expenses.

I encourage you to watch the first video and continue sharing your ideas with my office as we work to make New York more affordable for everyone. www.nyassembly.gov/mem/Phil-Ste...

Sure, there will be costs in converting to these technologies. But that is why the State must step in and fund that conversion. Energy is only one piece of the broader affordability challenge.

At the end of the day, green energy will only reduce cost. Our dependence on imported gas and oil is at the heart of the problem. The wind, the sun, and thermal energy are free (the Northern Europeans, in a climate like ours, have used all three successfully).

which is how the NY system currently works. Without this change, the delivery fee will continue to rise. I also discuss ensuring that high-volume data centers and similar facilities pay their own energy expenses and advancing greater transparency in utility billing.

We cannot afford to leave it to the private sector alone. I have outlined proposals to have the state invest directly in upgrading the grid, including reinstating the Stock Transfer Tax to generate revenue for infrastructure improvements so ratepayers are not left covering the cost themselves,

which is managed by the New York Independent System Operator. This “reform” did not result in lower prices and in some states led to fraud, as was the case with the infamous Enron scandal. There is only one solution — the State must invest in modernizing our power grid, as FDR did in the New Deal.

We've had the Public Service Commission since 1907. As structured, it will not contain costs. Interestingly in the last decade, when so-called market-based reforms were all the rage, we went to a system where power producers independent of the utilities compete to provide energy for our power grid,

I should note as well that in colder winters, market prices rise due to the increased demand, and that furnaces also work harder to maintain comfortable interior temperatures, costing you more.

I also explain why dependence on imported natural gas and oil continues to drive up prices (New York produces no fossil fuels and must pay market prices), why green energy is not the cause of rising bills, and how New York’s 100-year-old power grid should be modernized.

The 1st video focuses on energy costs, as many of you have reached out about following increases in National Grid bills. In this video, I discuss my legislation to add 2 consumer protection advocates to the Public Service Commission so middle-class families have a stronger voice in rate decisions.

I'm launching a new video series called Affordability in Action, focused on the rising costs that are putting pressure on middle-class families across the 110th District. Each installment will break down a key driver of the affordability crisis & outline the concrete steps I am taking to address it.

Nominations being accepted for Women of Distinction Awards Assemblymember Phil Steck is calling for nominations for the Women of Distinction Awards to honor impactful women in the 110th Assembly District.

Thank you to @wnyt.bsky.social for helping to spread the word about this year's Women of Distinction Awards. Be sure to nominate an extraordinary woman in your life today!

wnyt.com/capital-regi...

I have always stood with organized labor, and I will continue to support efforts that strengthen the workforce that serves our communities. I want to thank the union leaders, members, and advocates who came together to make their voices heard. #fixtier6

The men & women who keep our communities running every day deserve a retirement system that treats them fairly and recognizes the vital work they do. Tier 6 has made it harder to recruit and retain the talented public servants New York relies on, and it is time we address those challenges. #Fixtier6

I was proud to stand with our hardworking public employees and union members at the Fix Tier 6 rally at MVP Arena this weekend. #fixtier6

No one should have to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table. I will continue pushing for policies that increase transparency, hold utility companies accountable, and put consumers first.
You can watch the full segment below.

That is why I recently joined John Gray Writer on WTEN's Empire State Weekly to discuss the need for greater transparency in utility pricing and stronger oversight to ensure consumers are protected. NYers deserve to understand what they are being charged for and why.
www.news10.com/news/ny-capi...

Rising utility bills are placing an enormous strain on families across our region. Too many New Yorkers are opening their monthly statements and wondering how their costs increased so dramatically.

These upgrades will help reduce coverage gaps, improve call reliability, and expand 5G service throughout our community.

Thank you to everyone who spoke up. Your input is making a difference and helping deliver real improvements for Colonie residents.

Planned 2026 improvements include:
• A new macro cell tower on Albany Shaker Road near Green Meadows Lane
• A new macro cell tower on Watervliet Shaker Road
• New small cell antennas along Sand Creek Road
• New small cell antennas along Osborne Road and Albany Shaker Road

I am pleased to share that providers are now moving forward with projects to improve coverage and capacity across Colonie and nearby communities.

I shared your reports directly with Verizon, T Mobile, and AT&T and pushed them to address these issues, which are not only a daily inconvenience but also a serious public safety concern.

Over the past several months, many of you reached out to me about dropped calls and poor cell service in Colonie. I heard your concerns loud and clear and took action.