Ep 87: Alessandra Biaggi, New York State Senator

Today's guest is Alessandra Biaggi, Democratic New York State Senator. Representing her home district of Bronx, Westchester, Senator Biaggi is the Chair of The Revived Ethics and Internal Governance Committee. In her tenure, Senator Biaggi has chaired the first public hearings in 27 years on sexual harassment in the workplace, and led the charge in New York to pass legislation that strengthens protections for survivors and holds employers accountable for addressing sexual misconduct. The Senator worked to pass legislation including tenant-centered housing reforms, climate-change initiatives, criminal justice reform, comprehensive workplace protections, and expansive legislation making it easier to vote. We had a wide ranging discussion in this episode, including Senator Biaggi's unlikely path to holding elected office and the challenges she experienced. We also discussed the nature of the climate problem, where it fits on the New York state policy agenda and opportunities to take action on both the state and federal level. And finally, Senator Biaggi has some great advice for what people like you and I can do to help if we're concerned about this issue. Enjoy the show! You can find me on twitter @jjacobs22 or @mcjpod and email at [email protected], where I encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.