In incoming state Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy's home county of Erie, four of five Assembly Democrats voted against the "Green Light" bill, granting driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants
- Four of five WNY Assembly Democrats voted against Green Light bill
- GOP Chair Langworthy believes Dems are concerned about political fallout
- Langworthy promises to personally campaign against Democrats who vote for it
Dems from many of the more conservative districts across the state also voted no. While members like Pat Burke, D-Buffalo, and Monica Wallace, D-Lancaster, opposed the bill, calling it flawed and a federal issue, Langworthy believes the votes were clearly politics over policy.
"Now you have something where people have actually pushed back and fought back across the state in all regions of the state, particularly in Long Island and Western New York," he said. "You saw those members, they didn't want to be on the record as voting for this bill."
Ultimately, it still passed 87-61. But in the state Senate, the margin of Democrats to Republicans is a little narrower.
State Dem Party Chair Jay Jacobs confirmed last week he has voiced his concern with some members about political fallout.
"The members on Long Island and the members in the Hudson Valley, they've got to hear from their constituents and the taxpayers of those areas that don't want New York state to issue driver's licenses to people that are here illegally," Langworthy said.
He said he plans to continue put pressure on state senators before the legislation comes to the floor and issued a warning to Democrats who might vote yes.
"I will go to the districts of people that vote for this bill and campaign against them because this is going against the will of the taxpayers in this state," Langworthy said.