Press Releases

Statement on Rail Inspections

“The governor announced today that a new round of ‘targeted crude oil tank car and rail inspections uncovered 93 defects, including seven critical safety defects that required immediate corrective action, and two hazardous materials violations.’...

Assemblymember Steck: Assembly Budget Proposal Invests in Education

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced his support for the Assembly’s budget proposal, which reaffirms his commitment to fully funding our schools, protecting taxpayers and enhancing Universal Pre-Kindergarten (E.203). “A first-rate education...

Assemblymember Steck Calls for Stronger Safety Measures for Crude Oil Transport

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) is calling on the federal Department of Transportation immediately to increase safety regulations for crude oil transportation after a train derailment on Feb. 16 forced the evacuation of two towns in West Virginia,...

Statement on the Speaker

“I have said from the very moment the news broke that my focus has been on the issues important to my constituents, the residents of the Capital Region, and the state. I wanted to focus on dealing with the budget, education, fairness for the middle...

Assemblymember Steck Reacts to Governor’s Presentation

“Today, Governor Cuomo demonstrated his outstanding public speaking skills in his well-presented combined State of the State and budget address, which he entitled the Opportunity Agenda for New York. The Governor continued to add resources to his economic...

Assemblymember Steck Pushes for Proper Funding Of Schools

“School funding will continue to be my top priority for the community. I stood with the Alliance for Quality Education's "Moral Monday" today to fight for the proper funding of education because we simply cannot wait any longer to fulfill our commitment...

Steck Supports Location Board’s Decision in Choosing Schenectady Bid

“I applaud the New York Gaming Facility Location Board on their decision today to locate a casino in the 110th Assembly District. The Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor in the city of Schenectady had the best criteria, was spearheaded by a great...

Bank Settlement Fund Allocation

New York State will be receiving $5.1 billion in assessments and settlements from banking institutions in the 2014/15 fiscal year. This windfall has generated significant policy discussion on how to best use these funds to the benefit of New York State....

Steck Seeks Increased Safety Regulations for Shipment of Hydraulically Fractured Crude Oil

On September 22, 2014, Assemblymember Phil Steck (NY-D) sent a letter to the attention of North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple, Chair of the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC), for consideration at their September 23 hearing concerning increased...

Assemblymember Steck Secures Grant for Schenectady Jewish Community Center

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced he successfully secured a Community Capital Assistance Grant of $125,000 for the Robert and Dorothy Ludwig Jewish Community Center of Schenectady (SJCC). The grant will be used to make the SJCC facility...

Assemblymember Steck: Keep Officials Who Violate the Public Trust Off the Taxpayer Dime

In response to Thursday’s Capital New York article of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara reclaiming the pension of a former New York City councilman who was convicted on corruption charges, Assemblymember Steck reiterated the need to pass legislation to strip...

Assemblymember Steck Dedicated to Continuing James Brady’s Legacy of Preventing Gun Violence

“The passing of James Brady is a tragic loss, but his legacy lives on in the invaluable work he has done as an advocate for gun control. After suffering a terrible physical and emotional wound in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan,...

Steck Votes to Increase Access to Services to Fight Heroin and Opioid Addiction

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced the Assembly passed a package of bills in its final days of session addressing the growing heroin and opioid epidemic that is affecting many young people in our community. Specific parts of the package would...

Assembly Passes Steck’s Bill to Help Local Business Invest Millions in Local Facility and to Create New Jobs

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced that the Assembly passed legislation he authored to ensure businesses receive tax credits under the Empire Zones program (A.9220-C). The legislation would fix a bureaucratic requirement that is preventing...

Steck’s Bill to Protect the Wages of Workers Passes Assembly

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced that legislation he sponsored (A.6932) to hold an out-of-state corporation liable for unpaid wages if the company goes bankrupt has passed the Assembly unanimously. Current law only applies to corporations...

Assemblymember Steck’s Legislation to Allow City Night Courts Passes Assembly

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced that legislation he authored to allow City courts to run operations at night for non-violent cases, such as traffic offenses, has passed the Assembly (A.9375-A). This bill, which has bipartisan support,...

Local Assemblymembers Want Risks Posed by Crude Oil Trains Addressed

The recent dangers exposed by incidents involving crude oil transportation have been at the top of the agendas of Capital Region Assemblymembers Patricia Fahy (D-Albany), John T. McDonald III (D-Cohoes), and Phil Steck (D-Colonie). Today, they announced...

Assemblymember Steck Helps Pass Bills to Protect Environment

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced the Assembly passed a number of environmentally conscious bills for this year’s Earth Day Package. Legislation included initiatives to address global warming, recycling and sustainability among others. “Our...

Bill to Help Military Personnel Passes Committee

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) has co-sponsored a bill (A.6974-A) that would fix a loophole that does not properly credit service members who go on to work for the state. The legislation passed the Governmental Employees committee today, and Steck...

Steck’s Bill That Broadens Public Service Opportunities for Police Officers Passes Assembly

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced that legislation he sponsored, which would allow police officers to serve as officers of a volunteer fire department, has passed the Assembly (A.7618-B). The bill has now passed both the Senate and Assembly...