NY Assembly · Assembly District 45

Criminal penalties, police rules and where cannabis may be sold or used are set in state law, so changes run through the Legislature and the governor. Recent Assembly votes covered the 2026-27 public protection budget, signed in May 2026, and how close cannabis dispensaries may be to schools and houses of worship, signed in February 2026.

JC

Supports increased police foot patrols, better community policing initiatives and more resources to address quality-of-life crimes, describing this as smart policing that keeps streets safe while building trust with residents.

Joey Cohen-Saban campaign website — Issues

State law sets how hate crimes are punished and how much state money goes to security for houses of worship and community institutions, so the Legislature decides how far to go on penalties, reporting rules and security funding.

JC

Supports stronger hate-crime enforcement, more security funding for houses of worship and community centers, and education programs against bigotry, and pledges proactive legislation in Albany to protect New Yorkers from rising antisemitism and hate crimes.

Joey Cohen-Saban campaign website — Issues

State aid to schools is set through the state budget, such as the 2024-25 education, labor, housing and family assistance budget bill signed in April 2024. At issue is how much of that money goes to public schools, to nonpublic schools such as yeshivas, and to options like charter schools.

JC

Wants to increase per-pupil funding, secure capital improvement grants for aging school buildings and make sure nonpublic schools, including yeshivas, receive their share of state education dollars, arguing the district's schools and yeshivas are shortchanged by Albany.

Joey Cohen-Saban campaign website — Issues