State lawmakers returned to Albany on Wednesday to kick off the new legislative session.

The new year begins with a battle brewing over Gov. Kathy Hochul's recent chief judge nomination, Hector LaSalle.

Meanwhile, housing and criminal justice issues remain major priorities for lawmakers.

It comes as Black elected officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, are set to meet tomorrow for a public safety summit hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Stewart-Cousins joined Errol Louis on "Inside City Hall" Wednesday night to discuss LaSalle and various other topics.

"The senators who have come forward have made it clear back in the summer and they still feel this way, that there is an important value to sitting in the court and decisions are going to be made that do impact our lives," Stewart-Cousins said. "It is important who is sitting in this seat."