Our communities have shown remarkable resilience in recent months. As the impact of COVID-19 has strained nearly every aspect of daily life, friends, neighbors and even strangers banded together and stepped up to ease the repercussions of the pandemic....

“I want to extend my congratulations to Sen. Rob Ortt on his election as Minority Leader of the New York State Senate. I wish him nothing but success as he begins his tenure in this critical role. Rob is a decorated veteran, a tenacious advocate...

Beginning today, after months of visitation restrictions, families of individuals with developmental disabilities living in group homes will finally be able to reunite with their loved ones. I am extremely proud of the efforts of the Assembly Minority...

“I would like to extend best wishes to my friend Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan upon the announcement that he will leave office later this month. His dedication to his conference and constituents will be greatly missed by his friends and...

New York state’s high school graduates endured one of the most trying academic years in recent history, and what they have accomplished during these past few months has been nothing short of extraordinary. It was never meant to be easy, but recent...

The Assembly Minority Conference recently wrote to Gov. Cuomo, urging him to allow repair and construction activities on local roads and bridges to resume. Getting local crews up and running would address mounting infrastructure issues, help stimulate...

In recent weeks, New York state’s dairy farmers have faced some truly unprecedented obstacles, but as we begin National Dairy Month, there is much to look forward to for those producing and distributing one of our most important commodities. Created...

The Assembly Minority Conference today sent a letter to Gov. Cuomo calling for him to allow high schools across the state to host socially distanced graduation ceremonies to celebrate the accomplishments of New York’s students. A copy of the letter...

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay today announced that Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) has been named as the Minority Conference’s representative on the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research & Reapportionment (LATFOR).Every...

This week the New York State Legislature formally reconvened in an unfamiliar format, with debates and voting conducted through video feeds. Like many things forced to change under COVID-19 precautions, our work took on a new look, but was an important...

“At a time when suffering upstate regions need clarity and confidence, they’ve gotten only more confusion. The governor’s acknowledgement that upstate regions may not begin tomorrow’s Phase II reopening compounds the problems for businesses,...

The New York State Assembly Minority today introduced legislation that would restore legislative checks and balances for emergency declarations exceeding 45 days and ensure judicial due process rights for any actions that affect fundamental constitutional...

This year, our Memorial Day celebrations are going to look vastly different from those in years past. Gatherings of any kind during the COVID-19 outbreak are uniquely challenging, especially ones that normally involve close social interactions between...

Today, certain areas of New York are finally taking important steps in a positive direction after weeks of lockdown orders and business closures. While there is cautious optimism in the regions reopening – the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Mohawk...

In a letter to the chairmen of the Committees on Aging, Health, and Oversight, Analysis and Investigations, members of the Assembly Minority Conference have called on the Legislature to convene a hearing to review and investigate New York’s policies,...

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay today called for a return to established state government operations, processes and legislative powers. Leader Barclay stated it is time to restore the traditional authorities given to the Legislature and end Gov....

These last few months have been challenging for most everyone. Our normal routines and activities that previously provided structure have been turned upside down. The state’s educational system has faced sweeping changes and has been forced to dramatically...

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay today called for the state Department of Labor (DOL) to take immediate steps to improve responsiveness and performance in delivering unemployment benefits to New Yorkers seeking assistance. In a letter to Gov. Cuomo,...

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski) today helped give away more than 800 gallons of whole milk in Central Square. Barclay, Oswego County legislators and officials from the Town of Hastings worked in partnership to make the event...

We are beginning to be able to quantify the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus health crisis, and although the numbers may seem scary, there is much we can do to ensure New York endures and, eventually, thrives. New York State is facing a...