Senator Michelle Hinchey was elected to the New York State Senate in 2020 and has quickly become a leading voice for the Hudson Valley and Catskills. Before running for office, Senator Hinchey worked her way up as an executive in the technology and media fields while continuing her environmental advocacy as a grassroots organizer for Environment New York and a member of the Board of Directors with the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development.

About Michelle Hinchey | NYSenate.gov

Michelle Hinchey previously worked as an executive in the technology and media fields.

Michelle was elected to the New York State Senate in 2020.

2026 New York General Election

“We’ve had a productive year passing bills that are important to our Hudson Valley communities covering local needs across housing, utility affordability, environmental protection, and EMS support — all of which are headed to the Governor’s desk and hopefully will be signed into law soon,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “Our bill to create New York’s first Short-Term Rental Registry will help communities across the state manage the housing crisis. After years of advocacy, we’re also on track to end estimated billing once and for all, bringing much-needed relief and peace of mind to ratepayers. We’ve strengthened protections for communities like ours where bomb trains and oil vessels run through our towns by requiring petroleum shippers to carry and disclose liability coverage, ensuring that corporations, not the public, bear responsibility for cleanup in case of accidents. And we’re now one step closer to ensuring EMS providers are fairly reimbursed, removing longstanding barriers to life-saving care. I’m proud that we were able to get so many critical bills passed for our communities, and will continue advocating for these priorities to be signed into law.”

Hinchey Passes 53 of Her Senate Bills in 2024 State Legislative Session | NYSenate.gov

“Our bill to create New York’s first Short-Term Rental Registry will help communities across the state manage the housing crisis. After years of advocacy, we’re also on track to end estimated billing once and for all, bringing much-needed relief and peace of mind to ratepayers. We’ve strengthened protections for communities like ours where bomb trains and oil vessels run through our towns by requiring petroleum shippers to carry and disclose liability coverage, ensuring that corporations, not the public, bear responsibility for cleanup in case of accidents. And we’re now one step closer to ensuring EMS providers are fairly reimbursed, removing longstanding barriers to life-saving care. I’m proud that we were able to get so many critical bills passed for our communities, and will continue advocating for these priorities to be signed into law.”

Supports a statewide short-term rental registry to help communities manage housing pressures.

Advocates ending estimated utility billing for ratepayers.

- Supports a statewide short-term rental registry to help communities manage housing pressures.
- Advocates ending estimated utility billing for ratepayers.

Economy

Supports requiring petroleum shippers to carry and disclose liability coverage for accident cleanup.

- Supports requiring petroleum shippers to carry and disclose liability coverage for accident cleanup.

Energy & the Environment

“Upstate communities have seen a dramatic decline in healthcare services caused by decades of systemic underinvestment. We deserve better, and I’m incredibly proud that the Governor has signed four of my bills that work to close healthcare gaps and demonstrate progress towards better health equity for our region,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “With this legislation, we are finally prioritizing rural EMS services, providing dignity to those in need of period products while in our shelter system, fixing an egregious and arcane law by giving air ambulance paramedics the ability to carry and transfuse blood, and expanding opportunities to save a life through new avenues for organ and tissue donation. We need a more comprehensive and robust healthcare system and I’ll continue to do everything I can to make sure we close the gaps in care across New York State.”

Four Hinchey Bills Expanding Healthcare Access Signed into Law by Governor Hochul | NYSenate.gov

Bill Sponsor Senator Michelle Hinchey said, “Every New Yorker deserves the right to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions without fear or barriers. Our Mifepristone Access Act guarantees that medication abortion won’t suddenly vanish due to shifting federal rules, and makes clear that prescribing or using this safe, approved medication is not a crime. Our Expanding Equitable Access to Fertility Care Act will make New York one of the first states to require insurance coverage for egg freezing and storage, ensuring these life-changing medical advancements aren’t reserved for the wealthy but available to anyone deciding their future. I thank Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins for bringing this package to the floor and my colleagues for their partnership in protecting, expanding, and making reproductive healthcare truly equitable across New York.”

Senate Acts to Protect Access to Reproductive Healthcare, Strengthen Privacy and IVF Coverage | NYSenate.gov

Sponsored legislation to prioritize rural emergency medical services.

Sponsored legislation to provide period products to people in shelters.

Sponsored legislation allowing air ambulance paramedics to carry and transfuse blood.

Sponsored legislation expanding opportunities for organ and tissue donation.

Sponsored the Mifepristone Access Act to protect access to medication abortion and ensure prescribing or using it is not a crime.

Sponsored the Expanding Equitable Access to Fertility Care Act to require insurance coverage for egg freezing and storage.

- Sponsored legislation to prioritize rural emergency medical services.
- Sponsored legislation to provide period products to people in shelters.
- Sponsored legislation allowing air ambulance paramedics to carry and transfuse blood.
- Sponsored legislation expanding opportunities for organ and tissue donation.
- Sponsored the Mifepristone Access Act to protect access to medication abortion and ensure prescribing or using it is not a crime.
- Sponsored the Expanding Equitable Access to Fertility Care Act to require insurance coverage for egg freezing and storage.

Healthcare

As of September 9, 2026, Michelle Hinchey’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

Public Safety

“Our vision to bring Universal School Meals to New York is one of the most consequential public goods we’ve delivered for children and families in a generation—setting our students up to succeed in school and beyond,” said Senator Michelle Hinchey. “I am deeply proud to sponsor the Universal School Meals bill and to have led this historic fight in the Senate for the past four years alongside Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas. Guaranteeing free breakfast and lunch means no child has to learn hungry, we eliminate the stigma that once held students back, and we deliver tangible savings and peace of mind to families. I cannot wait to see more students across our communities, including right here in Dutchess County, join the program and thrive because of it.”

Hinchey Announces Historic Completion of Universal School Meals Expansion in 2025 State Budget, Delivering Free Breakfast and Lunch to All New York Students | NYSenate.gov

Sponsored the Universal School Meals bill to guarantee free breakfast and lunch for New York students.

- Sponsored the Universal School Meals bill to guarantee free breakfast and lunch for New York students.

Education

Facebook

Instagram

Michelle Hinchey

Buket Urgen

Patrick Sheehan

- Your state senator is involved in the legislative process at the state level as part of the New York State Senate, which consists of 63 members and serves as the upper house of the New York State Legislature, the state's lawmaking body. 
- State senators are responsible for representing your interests and assisting you with navigating state services while bringing resources back to your district.  
- State senators draft laws, approve budgets, oversee the state executive branch, and engage in debates and votes on proposed legislation.  
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your state senator can serve on committees, where many bills may be delayed before reaching a vote.  
- State senators are elected for a two-year term with no term limits.  
- Their annual salary is $142,000.  

Your representative and state lawmaker in the New York Senate.