Press Releases

Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Hinchey Announce $250,000 to Upgrade South Millbrook Pump Station

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Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Michelle Hinchey announced that they have secured $250,000 through two state grants to help replace the South Millbrook Wastewater Pump Station, which will enhance its efficiency in managing the flow of wastewater...

Assemblymember Barrett and Senator Hinchey: SITED Act Signed into Law

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (Dutchess/Columbia) and Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-41) announced that the Smart Integrated Tools for Energy Development (SITED) Act has been signed into law (Ch. 759 of 2023). The bill will require New York State to develop...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Michelle Hinchey’s Bill to Help Maximize the Benefits of New York’s Renewable Energy Projects Passes

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) and Senator Michelle Hinchey (D- District 41) announced that the Smart Integrated Tools for Energy Development (SITED) Act has passed in both the state Assembly and Senate (A.2888-A/S.2956-A). The bill...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Introduces the SITED Act

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that she has introduced the Smart Integrative Tools for Energy Development (SITED) Act, which will require New York State to develop a Clean Energy Mapping Tool to allow communities to identify...

Assemblymember Barrett Calls on Governor to Expand Broadband Infrastructure

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) wrote a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo today calling on New York State to expand broadband infrastructure and urged the State to finish the work promised and partially fulfilled by the Broadband for All...

Assemblymember Barrett’s State Veterans’ Cemetery Legislation Signed into Law, Re-Appointed Chair of Veterans’ Affairs Committee

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and a leader on veterans’ issues in the State Legislature, has announced that her veterans’ cemetery bill was recently signed into law by the...

Assemblymember Barrett Announces New COVID-19 Relief Funding in Columbia County

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D- Dutchess/ Columbia) is pleased to announce two community funds, in partnership with the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, aimed at helping Columbia County not-for-profits...

Assemblymember Barrett Passes Legislative Package Providing Relief to Families, Small Businesses Amid Pandemic

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced she helped pass vital legislation that provides relief for Hudson Valley families and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Barrett is working to ensure our communities receive...

Assemblymember Barrett Announces Pedestrian Safety and ADA Accessibility Enhancements for Hudson

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that the city of Hudson received approval to begin a project that will help improve pedestrian safety and accessibility. Hudson was awarded a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation...

Assemblymember Barrett: Restoration of Honor Act and Other Key Veterans Bills Signed into Law

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that the Restoration of Honor Act, which she authored, was signed into law (Ch. 490 of 2019) by Governor Cuomo on Veterans Day. The measure extends the eligibility for state benefits to veterans...

Key Veterans Legislation Signed into Law on Veterans Day

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that three pieces of veteran-focused legislation that she sponsors were signed into law today as part of Veterans Day bill signings. Assemblymember Barrett is Chair of the Assembly Committee...

Assemblymember Barrett: Legislature Makes Progress in the Fight Against Lyme Disease

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that she authored and passed legislation to further protect New Yorkers from Lyme and tick-borne diseases by authorizing a study on insurance coverage for Lyme and recommendations for farmers...

Assemblymember Barrett Passes Groundbreaking Legislation to Help Hudson Valley Veterans

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that several bills she authored to help New York veterans access critical services and benefits passed the Assembly on Tuesday. As chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Barrett...

Assemblymember Barrett’s Legislation Strengthens Rural Mental Health Services

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced legislation she authored to help reduce the growing rate of suicide across rural New York passed the Assembly (A.6007). “For too long, our health care system has failed those struggling...

Assemblymember Barrett Helps Pass Historic Rent Reforms to Better Protect Hudson Valley Tenants

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that she helped pass the strongest rent regulation legislation ever in New York State, known as the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act (A.8281). The historic legislation will empower...

Assemblymember Barrett’s Legislation Removes Penalty, Helps Spackenkill Union Free School District

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that legislation she authored to forgive a penalty levied on the Spackenkill Union Free School District for filing a late final cost report passed the Assembly (A.4069). “It’s simply...

Assemblymember Barrett Urges Gov. Cuomo to Restore Funding to Combat Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) is encouraging Hudson Valley residents to sign onto a letter she recently wrote to Gov. Cuomo requesting he restore $1 million in funding for Lyme and tick-borne disease (TBD) research, education and prevention...

Assemblymember Barrett: Outdoor Recreation Helps Veterans Heal From Trauma and Move Forward

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that legislation she authored to create more outdoor-based recreation opportunities for veterans, particularly those struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges, passed the Assembly’s...

Assemblymember Barrett: Outdoor Recreation Gives Veterans a Chance to Heal

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) hosted a roundtable on Thursday, May 16, to discuss how state agencies, veterans organizations and nonprofits can facilitate outdoor opportunities for veterans. “I hope to see New York State lead...

Assemblymember Barrett: EPA is Failing Hudson Valley Communities

“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has done the Hudson Valley a grave disservice by issuing a Certification of Completion of the Remedial Action to General Electric (GE) for its Hudson River cleanup. The EPA has failed our environment and...