Dear Constituent, 

Below please find information about this month’s events and initiatives from my office, along with other time-sensitive information and a list of new laws going into effect in August 2025. 

Sincerely,

Assemblymember Dana Levenberg

If you live in the Con Edison service area, the current gas and electric rate cases will determine how much you pay for utilities each month starting early next year. Our utility bills are already too high, so I share the outrage many of you have expressed at Con Edison’s request to raise our rates even higher. Visit my new Con Edison Rate Cases web page to learn more about how I am fighting back and how you can help. 

Mobile office hours continue to be on summer hiatus, but my office and I are still here to serve you. Please feel free to call us at (914) 941-1111 during our normal business hours for help with any issues you might bring to mobile office hours - help with state agencies, more information about state resources, and more. Our summer hours are 8:30 AM - 5 PM Monday through Thursday; we are available remotely from 9 AM - 3 PM on Fridays. Otherwise, I will also see you out and about in the community!

This year’s state budget included STAR program tax relief totaling $2.2 billion across the state. Payments will begin coming soon via direct deposit, credit on your school tax bill, or a check in your mailbox. Click here to get an estimate of when STAR credits will begin arriving in your school district.

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) has released an updated draft of its renewables strategic plan, doubling the amount of renewable energy they committed to producing in the previous draft. While this is welcome news, I and many others would like to see NYPA commit to projects that would generate at least 15 kW of publicly owned renewable energy. These projects will help us bring down energy costs for households while increasing energy supply. If you would like to share your comments on the draft plan, click here to do so anytime before 5 PM on Friday, September 12, 2025. 

NYPA will also hold two virtual public hearings on the plan in August: 

• Hearing 1: Tuesday, August 19 between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. 
• Hearing 2: Wednesday, August 20 between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Click here to register to speak at one of the hearings. 

Turbocharge your summer reading plans with the Mid-Hudson Library System’s Road Trip, now through mid-October! All are welcome to participate, including residents outside the MHLS. Get a special card and visit as many member libraries as you can to win fun prizes. Visit  https://midhudson.org/roadtrip/ to learn more. 

The “Old Traditions, New Beginnings” project aims to give seniors the opportunity to connect with others by sharing their stories, memories, recipes, or whatever legacy they would like to impart to the generations that follow. We are proud to announce that contributions to this project will be regularly featured in the River Journal and River Journal North! If you are interested in contributing your own writing (250-1000 words) or volunteering to help others share their contributions, please email district95@nyassembly.gov. 

New laws go into effect every month. Here is a list of laws going into effect in August 2025:

8/1/2025: Ch. 158 of 2024 §2, S.8644A/A.10565

Allows electronic hunting licenses as an acceptable form of tag when hunting deer or bear.

8/7/2025: Ch. 55 of 2025 Part OO, A.3005C/S.3005C

Updates public campaign financing rules, thresholds and procedures. Allows the first $250 of a qualifying donation to be matched, as long as the donor does not contribute more than $1,050 in a single election.

8/7/2025: Ch. 56 of 2025 Part LL, S.3006C/A.3006

Clarifies provisions related to discovery reform and the judicial process.

8/7/2025: Ch. 57 of 2025 Part DD, S.3007C/A.3007C

Excludes homeless youth from the definition of “minor” so they can consent to health care, including medical, dental, and behavioral health services without the need for a parent or guardian.

8/7/2025: Ch. 57 of 2025 Part EE, S.3007C/A.3007C

Strengthens Kendra’s Law and involuntary commitment laws, creates a crisis support center, and sets requirements for training and recordkeeping for individuals experiencing mental health and substance use crises.

8/7/2025: Ch. 58 of 2025 Part V, A.3008C/S.3008C

Requires online retailers to conspicuously post refund policies.

8/22/2025: Ch. 22 of 2025, S.748/A.692

Requires epinephrine auto-injector devices (EpiPens) be available in certain public places and that at least one employee or volunteer be trained in its operation and be present at each function.