Thomas J. Abinanti

Sponsored New York's Excess Food Act, requiring supermarkets to donate safe, unsold food to food relief groups. It became Chapter 352 in December 2020.

December 23, 2020Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted for the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York's climate law. It passed the Assembly 111-35 on June 20, 2019.

June 20, 2019Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted against ending religious exemptions from school vaccine requirements. The repeal passed the Assembly 84-61 on June 13, 2019.

June 13, 2019Opposes Environment and Public Health

Source: nyassembly.gov

Sponsored a 2016 law letting restaurants, camps, sports leagues, day cares and other venues stock EpiPens for emergencies. It became Chapter 373.

September 29, 2016Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2014 law letting school nurses keep and give epinephrine auto-injectors (EpiPens) in allergy emergencies. It became Chapter 424.

October 30, 2014Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted for the Compassionate Care Act, which legalized medical marijuana for certified patients. It passed the Assembly 117-13 on June 20, 2014.

June 20, 2014Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nyassembly.gov

As environment committee chair, backed the county's 2009 ban on lawn fertilizers with phosphates, which feed algae in waterways.

May 3, 2009Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nytimes.com

Sponsored a county law banning vehicles from idling more than three minutes when it is above freezing. It took effect Feb. 10, 2009, with fines up to $250.

March 15, 2009Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nytimes.com

Introduced a 2002 county bill banning smoking in nearly all indoor and outdoor workplaces in Westchester.

November 24, 2002Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nytimes.com

Wrote a 2001 county law giving cities, towns and villages first chance to buy land the county sells, to protect open space. It was signed after he agreed to seek changes.

June 24, 2001Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nytimes.com

Held a news conference on Oct. 8, 1999 protesting Westchester's wide pesticide spraying against an encephalitis virus.

October 8, 1999Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nytimes.com

Led opposition in 1998 to a Columbia Gas plan to lay a natural gas pipeline through Westchester, calling it a potential disaster.

February 15, 1998Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nytimes.com

Called on Westchester in December 1994 to support New York City's watershed protection rules without reservation.

February 5, 1995Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: nytimes.com

Voted for the 2016 state budget bill that raised New York's minimum wage. It passed the Assembly 104-39 on April 1, 2016.

April 1, 2016Supports Reduce Wealth Gap

Source: nyassembly.gov

Asked the Mount Pleasant Town Board on April 28, 2026 for an ethics review. He questioned whether the town attorney's firm could represent Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi in a private campaign case.

April 28, 2026Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: theexaminernews.com

Wrote Westchester's 1999 law requiring trash haulers to get county licenses and pass background checks to keep organized crime out. It passed unanimously.

August 16, 1999Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: nytimes.com

Asked for a legal ethics opinion on two former county officials hired as Westchester Medical Center lawyers. He then called on them to resign.

April 19, 1998Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: nytimes.com

As Legislation Committee chair, joined Assemblyman Richard Brodsky in 1997 in backing campaign finance reform for county and local races, with a $50 cap on corporate gifts.

January 26, 1997Supports Anti-Corruption

Source: nytimes.com

Sponsored a 2022 law requiring the state developmental disabilities agency to process service applications on time. It became Chapter 806.

December 28, 2022Supports Government Efficiency

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2020 law creating a state task force to review New York's property tax exemptions. It became Chapter 317.

December 2, 2020Supports Government Efficiency

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2020 law protecting special-education schools from funding losses when COVID-19 cut their enrollment or school days. It became Chapter 363.

December 23, 2020Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted for the New York DREAM Act, which opened state college aid to undocumented students. It passed the Assembly 97-42 in January 2019.

January 23, 2019Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: nyassembly.gov

Sponsored a 2015 law letting Westchester County borrow for sewer and drinking-water projects without a public referendum. It became Chapter 528.

December 11, 2015Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2015 law letting public libraries use state construction aid for broadband internet projects. It became Chapter 480.

November 20, 2015Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted against the 2011 package that limited local property tax levies and extended rent regulation. It passed the Assembly 120-15.

June 24, 2011Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: nyassembly.gov

Opposed county spending on the Hudson Hills golf course in 2003, calling its three-bond financing an evasion of the county charter.

July 13, 2003Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: nytimes.com

Led opposition in 1997 to approving design money for a $140 million courthouse plan, arguing cheaper options had not been studied.

October 12, 1997Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: nytimes.com

Cast the only vote against setting Westchester's 1996 county tax rate, which passed 16-1. He had backed most of the Board's budget veto overrides.

January 7, 1996Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: nytimes.com

Pushed for major cuts to the County Clerk's office in the 1996 county budget. The Board rejected his effort.

December 24, 1995Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: nytimes.com

Supported a 1995 overhaul of county legislators' pay that raised base salaries, saying the job was full-time work.

December 24, 1995Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: nytimes.com

Voted against Westchester County's 1995 budget, saying it was still too fat. The budget passed 12-5.

December 21, 1994Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: nytimes.com

Publicly opposed raising Westchester's sales tax in 1994, saying it hurt working families and the county should cut spending instead.

May 22, 1994Supports Government Spending Reduction

Source: nytimes.com

Sponsored a 2022 law requiring toy guns to be brightly colored or see-through so they are not mistaken for real guns. It became Chapter 501.

August 16, 2022Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted for the 2022 Concealed Carry Improvement Act, which tightened New York's gun permit rules. It passed the Assembly 90-52.

July 1, 2022Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: nyassembly.gov

Sponsored a 2019 law making it a crime to make, sell or possess guns that metal detectors cannot find. It became Chapter 134.

July 30, 2019Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted for New York's red flag law, letting courts order guns taken from people judged a danger. It passed the Assembly 100-37.

January 29, 2019Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted for the Child Victims Act, which gave survivors of child sexual abuse more time to sue. It passed the Assembly 142-3 in January 2019.

January 28, 2019Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: nyassembly.gov

Sponsored a 2016 law ordering a state study of dangerous street-level railroad crossings, with a report due by April 2017. It became Chapter 445.

November 28, 2016Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a bill requiring barriers to keep oversized trucks off Westchester parkway entrances. It passed both houses, but the governor vetoed it in November 2016.

November 14, 2016Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted for the 'Enough is Enough' law requiring colleges to adopt sexual assault and stalking policies. It passed the Assembly 138-4 in June 2015.

June 17, 2015Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted for the NY SAFE Act gun-control law, which passed the Assembly 104-43 on Jan. 15, 2013.

January 15, 2013Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: nyassembly.gov

Sponsored a 1997 county bill asking the state to let Westchester issue handgun licenses that expire within four years. Applicants also had to take a safety course.

April 6, 1997Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: nytimes.com

Voted for the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act, which legalized adult-use cannabis. It passed the Assembly 94-56 on March 30, 2021.

March 30, 2021Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted for the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, which limited how long prisoners can be held in solitary. It passed the Assembly 101-49.

March 16, 2021Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted to repeal section 50-a, opening police discipline records to the public. The repeal passed the Assembly 101-43 on June 9, 2020.

June 9, 2020Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted for the Compassionate Care Act, which legalized medical marijuana for certified patients. It passed the Assembly 117-13 on June 20, 2014.

June 20, 2014Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: nyassembly.gov

Sponsored a 2022 law raising the income limit for senior and disabled property tax exemptions from $29,000 to $50,000. It became Chapter 488.

August 8, 2022Supports Housing Affordability

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted for the 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act, which strengthened rent rules for tenants. It passed the Assembly 95-46.

June 14, 2019Supports Housing Affordability

Source: nyassembly.gov

Sponsored a 2022 law requiring the state developmental disabilities agency to process service applications on time. It became Chapter 806.

December 28, 2022Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2022 law spelling out which care costs the Medical Indemnity Fund covers and making its payment rate permanent. It became Chapter 807.

December 28, 2022Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2022 law raising the income limit for senior and disabled property tax exemptions from $29,000 to $50,000. It became Chapter 488.

August 8, 2022Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2022 law letting students with disabilities who turned 21 in the 2021-22 school year keep getting special-education services. It became Chapter 223.

June 13, 2022Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored New York's Excess Food Act, requiring supermarkets to donate safe, unsold food to food relief groups. It became Chapter 352 in December 2020.

December 23, 2020Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2020 law protecting special-education schools from funding losses when COVID-19 cut their enrollment or school days. It became Chapter 363.

December 23, 2020Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted for the New York DREAM Act, which opened state college aid to undocumented students. It passed the Assembly 97-42 in January 2019.

January 23, 2019Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nyassembly.gov

Sponsored a 2018 law directing state agencies to study the costs of early autism diagnosis and long-term treatment. It became Chapter 210.

August 24, 2018Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2016 law making sure the state Medical Indemnity Fund pays care costs for children with birth injuries, with a fair appeal process. It became Chapter 517.

December 31, 2016Supports Social Programs and Welfare

Source: nysenate.gov

Voted for the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York, which lets voters sue over rules that deny or weaken minority groups' votes. It passed 106-43.

June 2, 2022Supports Civil Rights

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted for the Green Light law, which let New Yorkers get standard driver's licenses regardless of immigration status. It passed 87-61 in June 2019.

June 12, 2019Supports Civil Rights

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted for the Reproductive Health Act, which moved abortion rules out of the criminal code. It passed the Assembly 95-49 on Jan. 22, 2019.

January 22, 2019Supports Civil Rights

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted for the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA), adding gender identity to state anti-bias and hate-crime laws. It passed 105-43.

January 15, 2019Supports Civil Rights

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted for the Women's Equality Act package on protections for women, including against trafficking. It passed the Assembly 98-47 on June 20, 2013.

June 20, 2013Supports Civil Rights

Source: nyassembly.gov

Voted for the Marriage Equality Act, which let same-sex couples marry in New York. It passed the Assembly 80-63 on June 15, 2011.

June 15, 2011Supports Civil Rights

Source: nyassembly.gov

Sponsored a 2022 law requiring banks to cash checks of $500 or less drawn on their own accounts when the payee shows ID. It became Chapter 830.

December 30, 2022Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2021 law requiring banks to pay checks in the order received or from smallest to largest. It became Chapter 398.

August 19, 2021Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2020 law requiring banks to warn customers in writing 30 days before charging an inactive-account fee. It became Chapter 268.

November 11, 2020Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2019 law shielding growers from lawsuits when genetically modified material got into their seeds or plants without their knowledge. It became Chapter 612.

December 6, 2019Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: nysenate.gov

Wrote Westchester's 1999 law requiring trash haulers to get county licenses and pass background checks to keep organized crime out. It passed unanimously.

August 16, 1999Supports Corporate Accountability

Source: nytimes.com

Sponsored a bill making the state liable for damage from state-highway defects it knew about. It passed both houses, but the governor vetoed it in November 2019.

November 25, 2019Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2016 law ordering a state study of dangerous street-level railroad crossings, with a report due by April 2017. It became Chapter 445.

November 28, 2016Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2015 law letting Westchester County borrow for sewer and drinking-water projects without a public referendum. It became Chapter 528.

December 11, 2015Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2015 law letting public libraries use state construction aid for broadband internet projects. It became Chapter 480.

November 20, 2015Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: nysenate.gov

Wrote a 1997 Board resolution to start repairs on Westchester's crumbling county courthouse and keep it at its current site.

June 15, 1997Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: nytimes.com

Chaired the Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities, as shown in its 2021 annual report.

December 15, 2021

Source: assembly.ny.gov

Sponsored a 2021 law voiding primary write-in votes for non-party members when an 'opportunity to ballot' petition forced the primary. It became Chapter 480.

October 8, 2021

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2021 law capping the petition signatures needed to run for town office in towns of 100,000 people or fewer. It became Chapter 81.

March 24, 2021

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2020 law letting the Town of Mount Pleasant adopt a hotel and motel tax of up to 3 percent outside its villages. It became Chapter 372.

December 23, 2020

Source: nysenate.gov

Chaired the Assembly Committee on Banks, as shown in its 2020 annual report.

December 15, 2020

Source: assembly.ny.gov

Sponsored the Toll Payer Protection Act, setting notice rules and fine limits for cashless tolls. It passed the Assembly 143-5 and the Senate, but the governor vetoed it in December 2019.

December 13, 2019

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a 2019 law letting Mount Pleasant refund late fees to property owners whose tax bills the post office failed to deliver. It became Chapter 432.

October 29, 2019

Source: nysenate.gov

Sponsored a bill requiring public employers to notify retirees before changing their health insurance plans. It passed both houses and was vetoed in December 2018.

December 28, 2018

Source: nysenate.gov

Publicly called on Governor Andrew Cuomo in May 2018 to apologize for a joke at the expense of people with developmental disabilities.

May 5, 2018

Source: web.archive.org

Sponsored a 2016 law letting Greenburgh, its villages and Sleepy Hollow adopt a hotel and motel tax of up to 3 percent. It became Chapter 504.

December 31, 2016

Source: nysenate.gov

Chaired the Assembly Committee on Libraries and Education Technology, as shown in its 2016 annual report.

December 15, 2016

Source: assembly.ny.gov

Sponsored a 2016 law replacing 'mentally retarded' with 'intellectually disabled' in New York's guardianship law. It became Chapter 198.

July 21, 2016

Source: nysenate.gov

Sharply questioned the state Commission on Quality of Care at a June 2011 Assembly hearing on abuse of people with developmental disabilities.

June 13, 2011

Source: nytimes.com

Joined Dobbs Ferry's lawsuit against the county and Children's Village over a youth detention center opened without a zoning change.

April 9, 2006

Source: nytimes.com

Proposed a county bill with Republican James Maisano barring Westchester from seizing private property for another private use.

February 5, 2006

Source: nytimes.com

Was endorsed by The New York Times editorial board for State Senate in 2000, which cited his more consistent environmental record.

November 1, 2000

Source: nytimes.com

Chaired a 1998 county Health Committee hearing on poor patient care at an Ossining nursing home.

May 31, 1998

Source: nytimes.com

Was chosen majority leader of the Westchester County Board of Legislators in December 1997, when Democrats first won control of the Board.

December 14, 1997

Source: nytimes.com

Voted for term limits for Westchester County officials in 1997. The Board rejected term limits.

September 21, 1997

Source: nytimes.com