Press Releases

Amidst Coronavirus Crisis, Marijuana Legalization Should not be a Priority

If there is one public health issue that has garnered overwhelming and bi-partisan support over the years, it is that smoking is bad for you. The surgeon general even warns you about it on every pack of cigarettes. And it now appears vaping is not...

Smullen Advocates for Increased CHIPS Funding

Assemblyman Robert Smullen attends CHIPS rally in Albany.
Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco) today voiced his support for increased funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) at an annual rally. Hosted by Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), the CHIPS rally...

Smullen Joins Homeland Security, Colleagues to Ask For Green Light Compromise

Assemblyman Robert Smullen standing with fellow Minority legislators, senators and Congressman Tom Reed
Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco) today continued his support of law enforcement in response to the Green Light Law’s restrictive provisions. The Green Light Law, which went into effect on January 1, granted undocumented immigrants access...

Public Safety Is Job Number One

In his State of the State address, Governor Cuomo loudly proclaimed that government's first responsibility is to protect the people. I wholeheartedly agree, and that is why we must immediately repeal and fix the misguided bail reform law that was buried...

Smullen Attends Rally to Repeal Bail Reform

Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco) attended a rally hosted by Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski), Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan and featuring law enforcement officials and prosecutors outraged about the new bail reform...

Smullen Announces 2020 Legislative Survey

Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco) has announced that his 2020 Legislative Survey is available for constituents to provide their feedback on issues facing New York State. Many residents in the 118Assembly District will be receiving a copy in the...

Assembly Minority Conference Continues Calls For Drastic Overhaul Of Criminal Justice Laws

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski), law enforcement professionals, victims and members of the Assembly Minority Conference continue to call on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders to walk back misguided changes to bail reform...

Smullen: Pricing out Property Owners Will Not Fix NYS Medicaid or Budget Problems

“Gov. Cuomo is proposing that the state further shift its financial responsibility for Medicaid onto Counties. Although the Governor and Majority politicians in the Legislature are desperate to fill the $6 billion hole in the state budget, they should...

Massive Budget Deficit Will Dominate 2020 Session

As we enter the New Year and a new decade, the looming $6 billion budget shortfall is a harsh reminder that some things just never change in Albany. Uncontrolled state spending, unfunded mandates and an anti-business regulatory climate continue to plague...

Smullen Calls for Massive Reforms after Gov. Cuomo’s State of the State Address

Editor’s note: Click here https://youtu.be/uEB88vcP_oY of Assemblyman Smullen’s State of State ResponseEditor’s note: Click here https://youtu.be/2Hu-kPbXSfY of Assemblyman Smullen’s Bail Reform Response New York enters the new decade...

Smullen Named To Farm Bureau ‘Circle Of Friends’

Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco) is honored to have been named to the NY Farm Bureau’s Circle of Friends. The Farm Bureau made the announcement based on Smullen’s voting record and other legislative support on agricultural issues in...

Smullen Congratulates Barclay on Leadership

I am pleased that Will Barclay has become the leader of the Minority Conference in the Assembly. Leader Barclay has long been a champion for reforming Albany, fighting for lower taxes and more accountability in our government. As we enter into the new...

Smullen Urges FEMA To Reverse Decision Denying Homeowners Assistance After Halloween Flooding

Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco) is urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reverse its decision to deny federal disaster relief directly to homeowners after devastating flooding in his district. “This is a setback...

Smullen Announces $30 Million in New Grant Funding For 118th District

Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco) is proud to announce that over $30 million has been awarded to organizations and localities within the 118th Assembly District. These funds will be received through Round 9 of the Regional Economic Development...

Smullen Announces Dec Smart Growth Grant Recipients in 118th Assembly District

Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco) is announcing that over $300,000 has been awarded to localities in the 118th Assembly District from the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Smart Growth Grant program. “I want to congratulate...

Smullen Voices Strong Opposition to Publicly-Financed Campaigns

On Wednesday, September 18, the Public Campaign Financing Commission held a public hearing in Albany to discuss the possibility of implementing a controversial and potentially unconstitutional practice of public financing for campaigns in New York. Assemblyman...

Smullen Joins Commission on Rural Resources to Make Progress on Access to Rural Broadband

photo
Continuing his commitment to focus on important economic development issues, Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco) today participated in a joint Senate and Assembly Hearing on the status of rural broadband service in New York state. Smullen issued...

A Statement from Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref-Meco)

“The decriminalization of marijuana in New York is just the latest example of the newly-minted legislature’s penchant for ignoring federal law in the name of criminal justice reform. By taking half-steps to legalizing marijuana, we put local...

Smullen Announces Construction Grants For Public Libraries

Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,Ref –Meco) today announced that five libraries in Fulton, Herkimer, Oneida and St. Lawrence counties have been allocated $231,598 in state aid for library construction funds. The funds were allocated from a $34 million...

Farm Labor Bill Sponsors Don’t Understand the Impacts of Their Legislation

“This legislation is devastating to farmers across our state. New York City politicians who have no farms in their districts are pushing this bill without holding any hearings upstate or in any communities reliant on farms. Without any input from...