Phara Souffrant Forrest

Housing, tenants and shelters

Wants a state Social Housing Development Authority so housing becomes a socially controlled good rather than a vehicle for profit, and supports the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act and the REST Act. Sponsored a bill requiring menstrual products in shelters and drop-in centers, passed by the Assembly in May 2026.

Health coverage and medical care

Supports the New York Health Act to create a single-payer health care system in the state. Voted for the Medical Aid in Dying Act, signed in February 2026, and sponsored a bill, passed by both houses in 2026, requiring insurers to cover a brand-name drug when the FDA declares a supply issue with its generic. Her campaign says she led the effort to end insulin copays in the 2024 state budget.

Cost of public college

Wants public higher education to be free to all New Yorkers regardless of income. Sponsors a bill to provide free tuition to SUNY students, referred to the Assembly Higher Education Committee on Jan. 7, 2026, and sponsored the 2023 law requiring SUNY and CUNY to set policies for awarding posthumous degrees.

Criminal justice and incarceration

Supports the Treatment Court Expansion Act so that treatment, not jail, is the first option for someone facing a mental health crisis. Sponsors a bill to decriminalize certain prostitution offenses, which was in the Assembly Codes Committee as of May 12, 2026. Her campaign says she passed the Less Is More Act in her first term, eliminating prison time for a number of minor technical parole violations.

Taxes and the state budget

Supports raising taxes on wealthy New Yorkers, arguing that budget shortfalls reflect a lack of political will rather than a lack of funds. Voted against the bill implementing the 2026–27 state fiscal plan in May 2026 and against the 2024–25 education, labor, housing and family assistance budget bill in April 2024; both became law.