Press Releases

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay on DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker’s Resignation

“Dr. Howard Zucker’s resignation as Commissioner of the State Department of Health (DOH) was an obvious and overdue step. That’s why I, and members of the Assembly Minority Conference, called on Gov. Hochul to make an immediate change. While he...

JCOPE Appointment Signals Continued Status Quo For NY’s Failed Ethics Commission

Ethics oversight in Albany has been broken for decades, and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was one of the chief reasons that problem worsened in recent years. In 2011, the former governor created the Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) to restore public...

Honor Those Who Died on 9/11 by Vowing to Never Forget

Across the country, Americans will take time this weekend to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. For nearly all of us, the events of that tragic day still seem very recent and memories remain vivid.The shocking attacks...

Statement From Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay On The 20th Anniversary Of The September 11 Attacks

“Today we honor the memories of the thousands of Americans who died during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. As a nation, we have always persevered in the face of adversity, no matter how great the challenge. During the last 20 years, we have...

Eviction Moratorium Extension Highlights Ugliest Parts of Albany

The Legislature reconvened in Albany on Wednesday in order to extend the state’s moratorium on evictions. The Special Session, which concluded after many New Yorkers had gone to sleep, was needed to extend the state’s misguided eviction moratorium...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay on a Special Session to Extend NY’s Eviction Moratorium

“As Gov. Hochul and Majority Leaders consider a special session this week, they should be reminded that our immediate next step must be to fix a broken rent-relief program and demand the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance (OTDA) do the job it...

New York’s Public Health Officials Must Regain the Trust of Those They Intend to Keep Safe

After months of deceiving 20 million New Yorkers, former-Gov. Andrew Cuomo left office in disgrace. Among his many failures, Cuomo and his aides purposely hid the true impact of COVID-19 from the public in order to save face, sell books and preserve his...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“Gov. Hochul’s second day in office should be Howard Zucker’s last day at the Health Department. With the state finally admitting the total COVID death toll is roughly 12,000 higher than previously reported, it has never been more obvious that the...

Statement From Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“Today, Kathy Hochul became the state’s 57th governor and the first woman to hold that position. I join 20 million New Yorkers who are hopeful that she immediately restores integrity, honesty and quality of character to the governor’s office. I...

The Great NY State Fair Makes Its Long-Awaited Return

The Great New York State Fair offers patrons from near and far a chance to experience some of the very best offerings from the Empire State. This year’s fair will run nearly three weeks, 18 days beginning Friday, August 20 through Monday, September...

Artists Invited to Submit Works to Barclay's 2nd Annual Local Landscapes and Landmark Art Exhibit

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) announced today that artists from the 120th Assembly District are invited to participate in and submit works to the Second Annual Local Landscapes and Landmarks visual art exhibition.Watercolors, photography,...

New York Is Moving On From Gov. Cuomo, but His Impeachment Must Keep Moving Forward

Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered his resignation on Tuesday, amid multiple scandals and with several ongoing investigations looking into misconduct in his office. The announcement came exactly one week after Attorney General Letitia James released the findings...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“Stepping down was inevitable, overdue and the only path forward for Andrew Cuomo. The scandals surrounding the governor’s office have generated one of the darkest periods in state history, and it’s fortunate the governor finally came to the realization...

Time Is Up for Andrew Cuomo

The controversies surrounding Gov. Andrew Cuomo have been swirling for months. But Tuesday’s blistering report from Attorney General Letitia James confirming multiple incidents of sexual harassment have moved things into a new and tragic area. Gov....

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“On Tuesday, the state attorney general issued a scathing report confirming Gov. Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. The governor has since responded with a bizarre video montage showing him kissing friends, and has now sent out his attorneys to publicly...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“As Attorney General Letitia James’ office’s investigation has confirmed, Andrew Cuomo’s behavior is abhorrent and absolutely unacceptable. I called for Gov. Cuomo to resign in March, and it is clear now, based on the information presented to...

New York’s Rent Relief Program Is Failing, Billions Have Yet to Be Distributed

Tenants and landlords throughout New York state have been among some of the most negatively impacted due to the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The need to provide financial relief has been obvious for quite some time, which is why our Conference...

Gun Violence Emergency Declaration an Executive Diversion from Bad Policy

Earlier this week, Gov. Cuomo issued an executive order declaring gun violence a “disaster emergency,” representing a “first-in-the-nation” strategy to combat crime. This forced, contrived approach to solving a problem was largely created by the...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“On the issue of Andrew Cuomo’s gun violence disaster emergency, there is very little difference between New York’s status as ‘first in the nation’ and ‘worst in the nation.’ The governor’s decision to issue yet another executive order...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“The decision by the Port Authority to delay construction of the new warehouse is appropriate and welcome news in the community. I’m pleased that public response seems to have made a difference. Hopefully, a collaborative resolution can be reached...