Press Releases

Assemblyman Jones: Heading Back to Albany to Discuss Proposals That Tackle Systemic Racism

“The death of George Floyd was the result of a truly heinous act. As a former member of law enforcement, it is acts like these that remind us that there are bad people in every profession, and those involved in this tragedy should be prosecuted to...

Assemblyman Jones: The Executive Must Issue Immediate Guidance on Graduation Ceremonies

“Since the beginning of this public health crisis, our students and their families have shouldered many burdens with respect to their education. With that said, our graduating seniors have truly been robbed of a once in a lifetime experience, and...

Assemblyman Jones Pushes for Bill to Protect School Funding During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) worked to pass a bill which he co-sponsored that would provide tax relief to both North Country schools and taxpayers (A.10189). The bill helps ensure that schools which have closed due to COVID-19 without the presence...

Assemblyman Jones Co-Sponsors, Passes Bill to Provide Death Benefit to COVID-19 Victims Working on Front Lines

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that he co-sponsored and helped pass a bill that will provide a death benefit to the beneficiaries of any public employee who contracted and died of the COVID-19 virus. The benefit would function as...

Assemblyman Jones Co-Sponsors and Passes Bill to Provide Additional Relief to Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) co-sponsored and helped pass legislation that would provide additional economic relief to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic by allowing industrial...

Assemblyman Jones: Let's Continue to Work Together to Move the North Country Economy Forward

“After much confusion and frustration, the Governor announced today that the North Country region is cleared for the Phase II regional reopening. While it is still unclear why there was a delay and lack of communication, business owners can finally...

Assemblyman Jones: Take the Time to Thank North Country Seniors During Older Americans Month

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that, in recognition of Older Americans Appreciation Month, he is continuing to advocate for older New Yorkers and working hard to help ensure they can access the resources they need during this difficult...

Assemblyman Jones: Church Reopening Guidelines are Too Restrictive

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) has announced that he supports reopening churches beyond the 10-person limitation with strict social distancing guidelines. “Places of worship are often designed for large capacities, and therefore can...

Assemblyman Jones: Testing Capacity Concerns are Realized and They Must Be Addressed

“For weeks, I, along with local officials, have been voicing concerns about testing capacity as the Governor’s directive called for increased testing as a requirement to regionally reopen, including the testing mandates for nursing homes. Now...

Assemblyman Jones: Joint Online Public Hearing Focused on Small Businesses and Farms Struggling During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed life as we know it. It has made life more difficult for everyone, and small businesses have been hit especially hard. Many have had to shut their doors or drastically reduce or modify operations, placing...

Assemblyman Jones: Let's Work Together to Safely Reopen the North Country

“Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, New York State has taken extensive measures to reduce the spread of the disease and protect vulnerable residents. I, along with my North Country colleagues, have consistently advocated...

Assemblymen Jones and Stec Call for Action on Mounting Unemployment Insurance Claims

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has caused the shutdown of thousands of businesses across the United States and millions of Americans are out of work. In New York State, over 1.6 million residents have filed for unemployment and...

Assemblyman Jones Seeks North Country Stories About COVID-19 Efforts

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced he is seeking accounts of North Country residents helping the community recover from the novel coronavirus pandemic. Jones plans to share stories submitted from residents on social media to show how the...

Assemblyman Jones: Action Needed to Bridge Gap Between Farms and Food Shortage in Stores and Food Banks

“Several weeks ago I called on the federal government to address the significant toll this pandemic has had on our dairy farms. As schools, restaurants and other food service businesses that normally make up large portions of a dairy farmers business...

Assemblyman Jones Calls on FCC to Reject Charter Petition to Reduce Rural Broadband Funding

“Far too many North Country communities are still without a reliable internet connection despite the need for this critical service, especially during our current situation. Charter’s petition to exclude its service areas from the Rural Digital...

Assemblyman Jones Participates in Teletown Hall with Participants from Senior Planet

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) participated in a teletown hall with dozens of seniors who utilize services from Senior Planet. The teletown hall was organized by Senior Planet to thank the Assemblyman for securing $200,000 in the 2020-21 state...

Assemblyman Jones: County and Local Leaders Should Advocate for Federal Funds

“I have called upon our federal representatives to ensure that state and local governments in New York are the recipients of additional funding from any future stimulus package. New York State, and its residents, benefitted from previous stimulus...

Assemblyman Jones: New York Needs More Federal Funding During COVID-19 Crisis

Assemblyman Billy Jones(D-Plattsburgh) is asking the federal government for more federal aid in the event that a new stimulus bill is passed. As it stands, New York has more recorded cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus than any other state in the nation,...

Assemblyman Jones: Dairy Farmers in Need of Federal Relief During Economic Downturn

“The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has taken a significant toll on several of our state’s top industries, and dairy farms are no exception. As schools, restaurants and other food service businesses that normally make up large portions of a dairy...

Assemblyman Jones: Now is Not the Time for Raise Deferrals

“Many state employees were informed yesterday that their contractual pay raise is being deferred, this includes corrections employees and other essential workers across the state. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, these brave men and...