It was a pretty good session for New York state Sen. Jessica Ramos.

The Queens Democrat helped push through a multibillion-dollar fund for excluded workers. Ramos, who chairs the Senate Labor Committee, also saw success this year with the last-minute passage of the Child Poverty Reduction Act, which sets a goal of 50% reduction in child poverty in New York over the next 10 years.

The so-called Excluded Workers Fund, which will cost $2.1 billion, has been criticized by multiple Republican lawmakers, including Sen. George Borello, who called it expensive and “politically-driven.” 

When asked if she’s concerned that the creation of the fund could be used by Republicans against Democrats during next year’s legislative campaigns, Ramos said no. 

“I don’t think folks out on Long Island are going to frown about a $400 million boost into the Long Island economy by putting these dollars into workers’ pockets,” Ramos said. “It’s better for us to invest in you and your family than to leave you hanging out to dry.”

On the very last day of the legislative session, another of Ramos’ bills passed, the Child Poverty Reduction Act.

“What we’re trying to do is create a new taskforce here in New York state that squarely focuses on ending child poverty in New York,” Ramos said. “Unfortunately, this was an issue before the pandemic, but the pandemic left more than a million children in New York state at or under the poverty line.”