Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) helped introduce legislation (A.7655) with Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C,I,Ref-Schoharie) that would free volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel from paying state income...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) voiced his disapproval for Assembly Bill 3972, a majority bill that would prevent employers from performing background checks on prospective employees. The bill would require employers to make a conditional...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) voiced his support for Assembly Bill 4177, which would increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 30 percent to 45 percent. The bill, sponsored by Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua), was blocked...

This weekend, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) is announcing that residents can take part in RecruitNY, an initiative aimed at increasing the number of volunteer firefighters. Local fire departments across the state will be holding open houses...

This week, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) voiced his concerns for Assembly Bill 4319, a bill that would permit the Board of Parole to evaluate all inmates over the age of 55 for possible parole release. Inmates eligible would be those who...

“This past week, my Minority colleagues and I have pushed back on the Assembly Majority’s’ decision to block a bill that expanded scholarships for Gold Star families. After public outrage, Gov. Cuomo has announced that the scholarships...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) is encouraging constituents to sign a petition to ensure that Assembly Bill 2991 becomes law. The bill would provide Gold Star families free tuition and room and board to SUNY & CUNY institutions. Last week, the...

“It was disheartening to hear our fellow legislators call this proposal ‘an entitlement,’ but I am encouraged by the governor’s support on this meaningful initiative that would provide free college tuition to surviving dependent family...

Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) called out Assembly Majority for blocking a bill (A.2991) that would provide free college tuition to family members of New York state military personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. DeStefano...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) and County Legislator Rudy Sunderman are hosting a Narcan Training event on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Narcan reduces the effects of opioids in the event of an overdose. The training event will include ways...

“As legislators, our top priority is— and always should be—to make New York a better place to live, but state Majority is only concerned about improving the lives of illegal immigrants and convicted felons. While our Minority conference...

Yesterday, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) joined labor union members at a rally in the New York State Capitol in support of expanding the prevailing wage to all projects that receive any public funding. Prevailing wage is a set wage that...

Yesterday, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) attended a press conference in the New York State Capitol calling on legislative leaders to adopt the Assembly one-house proposals to increase funding for child care subsidies by $20 million. He...

Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) attended the #bfair2DirectCare rally in the New York State Capitol War Room. The rally included many direct-care workers from across the state demanding a living wage. The Assembly Minority Conference...

Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) attended a press conference calling for an increase in funding for the mental hygiene system in this year’s final budget. The conference was hosted by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, chairwoman of...

This week, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) joined members of the Assembly Minority Conference in signing a letter to the governor requesting $150,000 be allocated to the American Legion Boys State program in the upcoming final state budget....

“It appears the Assembly Majority has designed a budget simply to push more people out of New York state. They continue to tax hardworking residents to pay for their progressive wish list while the rest of the state can’t afford the high cost...

Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) joined New York highway employees to call on the governor to include necessary funding to repair damaged roads and highways throughout the state. The Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement...

Editor’s Note: Click Here https://youtu.be/k77OPKn49V0 to view Assemblyman DeStefano’s comments at today’s press conference. Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I, Ref-Medford) attended a press conference with a bipartisan group of legislators...

Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref- Medford) joined Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy, Senator Monica Martinez, Assemblyman Dough Smith and Suffolk County officials Rudy Sundermann and Bob Martinez...