Running in what is arguably a battleground district this year, incumbent Republican Assemblyman Tony Bucco (R-25) rose this afternoon on the floor of the General Assembly to criticize the majority party.

Lawmakers showed up today to cast a vote on a vote by mail bill.

Bucco said they needed to have made the session more substantive and on more pressing issues to the voters of the state.

“When the majority party wants to take action on an issue they will do so quickly,” the assemblyman said, noting the speed with which Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) got the voting session out of the way.

“If we took time here to address crushing property taxes, we might just take a step in the right direction,” Bucco said. “Unfortunately, none of those bills will be considered today.”

Vote by mail benefits the majority party, he added.

“It does nothing for the constituents we represent,” he argued. “It does nothing to make their lives any more affordable and we should really think about that. We essentially came down here to make the beds while the house is on fire.”

He then moved a concurrent resolution to address the state’s property tax crisis within seven days.

That prompted Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald (D-6) to rise.

“People vote on the policies we institute,” he countered. “The [bill] reflects an opportunity for [Republicans] to communicate with residents the way we have.

The Democrats tabled Bucco’s motion by a vote of 41-14-0.

“The limited hearing on one issue is not in the best interest of the state,” chipped in Assembly Republican Leader Bramnick (R-21), who wanted a special summer session to address property taxes and is himself running for election in the November general election against animated opposition.

Bramnick amplified his concerns at an appearance in a statehouse press conference. His remarks can be viewed in the video below: