Old faces in new places in the legislature

The dust has settled (for now) in the latest game of musical chairs at the Capitol, with the legislative leaders revealing on Thursday their choices to lead committees in both houses.

The big prizes have been divvied up as follows:

• Assembly Corporations: Ed Braunstein  – He Queens Democrat was on a short list that I put together, which also included Andrew Hevesi. Ultimately, I incorrectly guessed Michaelle Solages, who is the Deputy Majority Leader in the chamber and retains her leadership of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus.
• Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore: Pamela Hunter – The Syracuse Democrat was one of two contenders that I was hearing were in the running to succeed Jeff Aubry. I think if Assembly Insurance was open then Hunter might have been more inclined to move there from Assembly Banks. This position is also one of a handful in the legislature that still comes up with a stipend.
• Assembly Committee on Committees: Catalina Cruz – This is possibly one of the most important roles in the Assembly that no one knows much about and speaks to the political savviness of the Queens Democrat.
• Senate Insurance: Jamaal Bailey – The Bronx Democrat, who has quickly become a senior member of the Senate Democratic Conference, seems to have been looking for a change of pace after six years leading Senate Codes.
• Senate Codes: Zellnor Myrie – This feels like a natural evolution for the Brooklyn Democrat, who has been a rhetorical and policy leader on criminal justice issues. What sort of progressive bills he can move through his new committee in 2025 remains to be seen.

The full lists of Senate and Assembly committee chairs for 2025 are available below.

I correctly predicted the following:

• Assembly Racing & Wagering: Carrie Woerner – The Capital Region Democrat has two race tracks in her district.
• Assembly Higher Education: Alicia Hyndman – There was a lot of rumbling about the Queens Democrat pushing hard for this role.
• Assembly Veterans’ Affairs: Steve Stern – The Long Island Democrat was already on the committee, highlights a bunch of veteran issues on his website, and he took over the office next to the committee room this week.
• Assembly Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development Committee: Ron Kim – The cat was accidentally let out of the bag in December.
• Senate Consumer Protection: Rachel May – This was reportedly the Syracuse Democrat’s top choice and was likely in her reach given the six yeas of seniority that were built up.
• Senate Disabilities: Patricia Fahy – The Albany Democrat may have 12 years of experience at the Capitol, but she is starting from the bottom in her new chamber.

Missed it by that much:

• Assembly Mental Health: Jo Anne Simon – Seniority was ultimately not the deciding factor to replace Aileen Gunther, as Capital Region Democrat Phil Steck’s 12 years in the chamber was not enough to secure this committee. The Brooklyn Democrat was one of two contenders that I had identified for the job.
• Senate Cities II: Chris Ryan – Oops. There were a number of new members from upstate cities who could have gotten this assignment, but it landed with the Syracuse-area Democrat.

Notable changes:

• Senate Ethics & Guidance: Shelley Mayer – The Westchester County Democrat takes over for Neil Breslin. This committee has not moved much legislation or held a lot of public meetings since the departure of Alessandra Biaggi. It’s also possible that Mayer could become the Senate majority’s representative on the Legislative Ethics Commission.
• Senate Elections: Kristen Gonzalez – This was interesting to me because a relatively junior member is leading two standing committees now.
• Assembly Banks: Clyde Vanel – The Queens Democrat has shown an interest in evolving technologies, so is he poised to tackle the new financial tools that have popped up in recent years?
• Assembly Cities: Patrick Burke – I generally think of this as a committee for a New York City member, so it’s interesting to see an upstate member as chair.

2025 Chairs List SENATe by Capitol Pressroom on Scribd

Assembly 2025 Committee CHairs by Capitol Pressroom on Scribd