It was just in April the governor was touting a deal with the legislature to tweak the state’s bail reform law — changes that were supposed to expand bail eligibility for repeat offenders.
The mayor still wants more.
“We have to deal with the catch, release, repeat,” Adams said Wednesday.
For the second day in a row, the mayor compelled the state legislature and the governor to hold a special session to once again tweak the bail reform law. And he gave more details about what he actually wanted.
“The dangerousness standard is a real standard to allow the judges to make the determination is important, and I want us to zero in on juveniles who are in possession of firearms,” Adams said. “I want us to look at keeping violent juveniles in criminal court, should not be turned over to family court.”
Hochul and the leader of the state assembly have thrown cold water on the idea.
Adams said he spoke with the assembly speaker on Tuesday to push the idea.
“Had a long conversation with the speaker of the assembly and we agree to look over some of the data that the New York City Police Department is going to present on how we are having too many repeated offenders on non-bail eligible crime,” he said.
The speaker’s office confirmed the conversation — but said the leader is not interested in revisiting bail reform.
Other Albany lawmakers say the mayor is merely deflecting.
“We just did this in April,” State Senator Michael Gianaris said. “We dealt with repeat offenders in April that’s what makes this such a nonsensical conversation. We’ll hear him out and have conversations with him about anything he’s concerned about. But the conversation should be based on facts and not about deflecting responsibility, which is what the statements the last couple of days have been.”
While Adams may be having conversations with lawmakers in Albany as of this point, it seems a special session will be called this year.