February 16 Leg Act News
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Legislative Priorities of the New York Democratic Rural Conference
By Marita Florini
The Democratic Rural Conference(DRC) is made up of 47 rural NY counties with populations under 250,000. Democratic Party County Chairs and State Committee Members from those counties are DRC voting members. All counties, regardless of size, cast an equally weighted vote in DRC elections. Each county pays annual membership dues for its voting members.
The DRC welcomes other registered Democrats to join as Associate Members for $10 per year. Associate Members receive all DRC communications, are invited to all DRC events, may serve on DRC committees, and may attend board meetings.
For 2026, the DRC is focusing its legislative efforts on the effects of federal actions and changes in county demographics, economic drivers, and climate. There are four main challenge areas:
Grassroots engagement in rural areas
Economic and environmental sustainability
Infrastructure and environmental protection
Protect NYS citizens and communities
Each of these areas has recommended actions, including:
Support S7401/A583 to modify the NYS Election Law to offer county political committees the option to designate candidates at conventions instead of petitioning
Oppose judicial redistricting
Support continued funding to NYSDEC for alternative energy and agrivoltaics
Pass a bigger, better bottle bill
Legislation to require financial surety requirements and environmental review for large-scale electrical utility projects to support data centers
Continued investment in rural broadband and cell service
Support for EMS and rural hospitals
Support efforts to constrain agreements enabling local law enforcement agencies to participate in federal immigration actions that bypass state legal protections.
What Are The Top Issues Agreeable To Most Americans?
By Marita Florini
As we head towards an important election year, it is a good time to review what Americans have in common and what concerns we agree on. This is a difficult question because although issues are agreed on, priorities aren’t.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted a poll in December 2025 that found that:
7 of 10 Americans cited the economy as an important issue, with 43% citing a personal finance issue, including 51% of independents, 44% of Democrats, and 37% of Republicans.
Immigration issues are mentioned by 44%, including 60% of Republicans, 37% of Democrats, 32% of independents.
41% mention at least one health care-related issue as a priority, including 50% of Democrats, 41% of independents, and 32% of Republicans.
These are issues Americans want their government to work on.
In November of 2025, the Gallup poll showed that:
8 of 10 Americans agreed on core democratic values and endorsed political compromise between parties, even if they do not like parts of the compromise.
83% of Americans reject political violence, and 84% say the U.S. benefits from having a mix of cultures.
Also surveyed was the question of who is responsible for meeting people’s basic needs. Less than half (48%) believed it was the government's role, versus that people themselves (50%) should be responsible for making sure people’s basic needs are met.
This survey was divided along partisan lines, with Republicans in favor of people meeting their own needs. Interestingly, younger adults feel it is the government’s role to meet basic needs, while people over 50 say people should be more responsible. Those with higher incomes tend to feel it is people’s own responsibility to meet needs, while those on a lower income tend towards government support.
It is encouraging to note that there is agreement on democratic values. Hopefully, this can be applied to issues where there is division.
ICE Immigration Raid Near the Village of Spencer
by Amy Ross
The Village of Spencer appears to have a special relationship with ICE after the agency made further arrests just outside the village. On February 11, 2026, Village police chief Michael Monteiro was filmed being present during the action, and remained at the scene with an empty minivan after ICE removed its occupant. According to a village resident, the village police chief has no jurisdiction outside the village.
Last June, some Spencer community members brought forward concerns about ICE activity to the local village board, requesting that the village’s police officer, who is also the Spencer-Van Etten Central School District’s resource officer, be prohibited from assisting ICE. Unfortunately, the village board did not adopt this request.
The Tioga County sheriff’s office was not notified of any recent ICE operations regarding immigration enforcement.
Spencer residents are meeting with residents of surrounding communities who have developed rapid-response teams to monitor and publicize these potential kidnapping situations. They are also continuing to question why village tax dollars are being spent assisting ICE.
Recommended Reading
Patriot: A Memoir by Alexei Navalny
"The powerful and moving memoir of a fearless political opposition leader who paid the ultimate price for his beliefs."
The whole bunch of them have always regarded power as a cash cow, and they still do. The feudal allocation of land for sustenance. Power equals money. Power equals opportunities. Power equals a comfortable life for you and your family, and everything you do while in power is aimed at retaining it. - Patriot: A Memoir by Alexei Navalny
Action Alerts/Events
From 5calls.org
5calls.org is an app you can download on your smartphone or access via their website. Each day, they provide a summary of major concerns that encourage people to voice their opinion, opposition, or support.
Harness people power and use 5calls to guide you through updates and their scripts about pertinent issues when you call your Congressional representative and Senators.
Your House Representative is Congressman Nicholas Langworthy, 202-225-3161; Your Senators are Schumer, 202-224-6542, and Gillibrand, 202-224-4451.
Deescalate, Restrain, Reform ICE - Do not stop calling the legislators! Agreements that allow local police to work with ICE continue to increase dramatically. It is important to note that “ICE” teams are primarily immigration and customs enforcement agents, and can include agents from other federal agencies, including border control agents. Governor Hochul is seeking ways to stop counties, towns, and villages from working with ICE.
Demand the release of the full Epstein files. WE SUPPORT THE FULL RELEASE OF THE FILES REGARDLESS OF WHO IT IMPLICATES.
MONDAYS AT THE COURTHOUSE. Every Monday from 3:30 to 4:30, there is a dedicated effort to protest. Please join us for an hour. Bring a sign!
February 24, 2026, Start collecting signatures on your petitions.
February 26, 2026, 5:15 pm Coburn Free Library Leg Act Committee meeting.
March 28, 2026, 3 -1 pm Historic Tioga County Courthouse NO KINGS Rally
Tell your friends, family, and neighbors!
Have a sign-making night!
Write a protest song, practice a chant, plan to be loud and visible!
Run for Something!
Do you want to run for office? The deadline to declare a candidacy is approaching.
CALLING ALL TIOGA County DISTRICT 3 ( APALACHIN) DEMOCRATS. WE NEED YOU TO RUN FOR DISTRICT 3 County LEGISLATOR.
Jo Ellen Rose is the only Democrat on the Tioga County Legislature and could use your help. Interested? Contact Joan Davis Jdavis719@live.com.
If you are interested in joining the Leg Act Committee or want to submit something to our newsletter, send an email to TCDC at TIOGANYDEMS@GMAIL.COM or MARITA FLORINI at FNPMAF1@GMAIL.COM.
