Press Releases

DeStefano, Assembly Minority Responds to Urgent Plea from New York Families: Child Care Access and Affordability Must be Improved

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) attended a press conference in Albany today, joining Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski), Assembly Minority colleagues, parents and child care experts to share serious concerns regarding access and...

DeStefano Joins Bipartisan Effort for Immediate Passage of ‘Melanie’s Law’ to Strengthen Domestic Violence Protections

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) attended a press conference in the New York state Capitol today to support his colleagues’ bipartisan push to pass “Melanie’s Law” (A.6026/S.6288), allowing courts to issue orders of protection for immediate...

Assemblyman DeStefano Condemns $60 Million Cut to Local Road Maintenance

“Local roads play a crucial role in our daily lives, serving as vital connections to work, school, health care and our loved ones. As we all know, New York state is notorious for its poorly maintained, pot-hole-riddled roads and appropriately ranks...

DeStefano: It’s Time to Make all of New York Accessible

“For too long, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), along with the dedicated direct-support professionals (DSP) supporting them, have been in the shadows. They need quality care, fair raises and they need it now,” DeStefano...

DeStefano: This is all Preventable, We Must Pass Legislation to Protect Warehouse Worker Injury

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) attended a press conference in the New York State Capitol today to call for the passage of the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act (A.3309-/S.5081). Warehouse work is one of the most dangerous occupations in the...

DeStefano Joins Colleagues, Union Members to Support PLA Legislation

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) joined the Laborers and other Building Trades unions for a rally on the Million Dollar Staircase, advocating for bill A.5486 and good union jobs at SUNY. As a co-sponsor on the bill, DeStefano joined legislative...

DeStefano: State of The State Highlights Weak Package of Proposals for 2024

“The governor’s State of the State today was full of promise, but again fails to acknowledge the cliff our state hangs over—New Yorkers are fleeing due to an exorbitant cost of living and stifling overregulation, particularly burdening our small...

DeStefano Joins Forces to Combat Fentanyl Epidemic, Urges Swift Action

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) attended a press conference on the Million Dollar Staircase in the Capitol this morning to support the unveiling of a legislative package aimed at stemming the rising tide of overdose deaths in New York state. More...

DeStefano Comments on The Start of 2024 Legislative Session

“As a dedicated representative of the state, I’m honored to return to Albany, ready to advocate for the needs of not only my assembly district but those of each New Yorker. Addressing pressing issues such as public safety, fair elections and responsible...

DeStefano Celebrates Grand Opening of Local Salvadoran Restaurant, Pupusas City

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) celebrated the grand opening and ribbon cutting of Pupusas City in Middle Island on Saturday, August 26, where he and Councilman Michael A. Loguercio Jr. presented certificates to the proud owner, Iris Viera Argueta....

DeStefano: No More Wasted Time, Gabby’s Law Will Help Find Missing Adults

A press conference was held on the Million Dollar Staircase today, June 7, 2023, to discuss “Gabby’s Law,” proposed recently by Assemblyman Ed Flood (R,C-Port Jefferson) and Sen. Anthony Palumbo (R,C-New Suffolk). The Ashanti Alert Act is used nationwide...

DeStefano Supports Legislation to End Domestic Violence Loophole

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) attended a press conference in Albany yesterday to support his colleagues’ introduction of Melanie’s Law, allowing courts to issue orders of protection for immediate family members or household members of victims...

DeStefano Joins Call to Increase Penalties for Sexual Offenses Committed against Correction Officers

“Hearing the stories from women who have experienced worsening working conditions following the implementation of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act is yet another example of why pro-crime legislation is bad for New York. Our correctional officers are...

DeStefano Questions Budget Process Following Third Extension Passed Today

“I am disappointed by the continued lack of progress on the state budget this week. Today, a third extension was passed to prolong the process even further. The Assembly Majority Conference is persisting with closed-door negotiations and intransigence....

DeStefano: Majority Conferences Continue to Abuse State Budget Extensions

“Today, another budget extension was passed to give Albany Majority lawmakers more time to settle their party infighting, which is still holding up the state budget proceedings. It’s disappointing, yet not surprising, to see what one-party rule results...

DeStefano: State Budget is Unsurprisingly Delayed Again

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) was dissatisfied with the budget proceedings today as state legislators were called to Albany simply to pass an emergency extender bill that prolongs the deadline of the state budget 10 days past the official April...

DeStefano: Task Force on School Safety & Security Brings Actionable Solutions

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) attended a press conference on the Million Dollar Staircase in Albany today, joining his legislative colleagues for a presentation of the report by the Assembly Minority Task Force on School Safety & Security, which...

DeStefano Drafts Letter Concerning Gas Power Restrictions

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) recently sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul concerning her policy position to eliminate gas-powered devices and vehicles from being sold in New York soon. The timeline presented by the governor, coupled with the...

DeStefano Rejects Governor’s High-Rise Plan

”Throughout 2022, Long Islanders raised their concerns over any proposal that forced more housing into our suburban-style neighborhoods. Overworked emergency services, overcrowded schools, overtaxed sewage systems and more traffic than ever before were...

DeStefano Denounces One-House Budget Proposal from Majority

“We've said time and again that the spending habits in Albany are unsustainable, and the more they tax New Yorkers to offset the costs, the more people are going to leave,” DeStefano said. “The Majority One-House Budget continues the troubling trend...