With an unusually large freshman class entering the 2019 session, Stewart-Cousins turned to several new Democrats to lead committees, including Jessica Ramos of Brooklyn, a strong supporter of organized labor, to chair the Labor Committee, and Bronx Democrat Allessandra Biaggi to head the Ethics Committee.

The Senate returns with just two members of the former Independent Democratic Conference, a group that had aligned itself with the Senate GOP before breaking apart last spring. Most of the IDC members were defeated this past fall. David Carlucci, a Rockland County Democrat and ex-IDC member, got a committee chair post courtesy of Stewart-Cousins: the Mental Health Committee. Another ex-IDC founder, Diana Savino of Staten Island, did not get a committee leadership post, but was assigned to head a subcommittee on internet and technology issues.

Kennedy has been a regular critic of what he said has been at times inequitable funding of upstate transportation projects when compared to spending for downstate public transportation capital projects. His new Senate post will make him an important player in all transportation matters affecting both upstate and downstate. His first real test of power will come in March, when the state budget is being put together.