Press Releases

Assemblyman Jones: Important Funding for Education Included in This Year’s Budget

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that important funding for education was included in the New York State 2021-2022 budget he helped pass. Statewide, the budget includes a $3.1 billion increase overall in education funding as well...

Assemblyman Jones: U.S., Canadian Officials Must Continue Working to Safely Lift Border Restrictions

“The announcement earlier today that the U.S.-Canada border will remain closed through at least May 21 is truly frustrating as there continues to be no staged plan from the federal governments. This continues to have a significant impact on our regional...

Assemblyman Jones Boosts Infrastructure Funding for North Country in State Budget

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that the 2021-22 state budget includes critical funding to improve the North Country’s roads and bridges. “Improving our infrastructure impacts everyone in the North Country. Our residents rely...

Assemblyman Jones: WAC Lighting Acquisition Protects North Country Jobs, Ensures Operations Aren’t Interrupted

“Earlier today, Swarovski Lighting, Ltd. announced an agreement to transfer the Schonbek brand of luxury crystal lighting to WAC Lighting, a Port Washington-based company. I want to congratulate both of these companies on a successful sale and am pleased...

Assemblyman Jones Secures Funding for Adirondack Visitor Interpretive Centers

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that the 2021-2022 state budget includes funding for the Visitor Interpretive Centers (VICs) at Paul Smith College and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). Jones advocated for...

Assemblyman Jones Secures Major Funding for Veterans in 2021-22 budget

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that he helped pass the 2021-22 state budget, which includes funding that he secured for the North Country Veterans Association (NCVA) and other essential programs and services for local veterans. “Despite...

Assemblyman Jones Secures Funding for OATS in 2021-22 Budget to Help Older New Yorkers Stay Connected

“Over the last six years, OATS has significantly impacted the lives of North Country seniors and helped many of our neighbors access the internet and improve their computer skills,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake). “That is why...

Assemblyman Jones: 2021-22 State Budget Supports Struggling Farmers

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that the 2021-22 state budget includes major victories for the state’s agricultural industry, which was $8 million over the Executive’s original proposal for a total appropriation of over $35 million....

Assemblyman Jones Secures $275,000 for North Country Chamber of Commerce in State Budget

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that he helped secure $275,000 to support the North Country Chamber of Commerce in the 2021-22 state budget. “The North Country Chamber of Commerce is a critical resource not only for our local communities,...

Assemblyman Jones 2021-22 State Budget

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that he helped secure several measures that will be included in the approved 2021-22 state budget to support North Country families and businesses impacted by COVID-19. Jones also will vote against...

Assemblyman Billy Jones Statement Regarding the Excluded Workers Proposal

“The Excluded Workers Fund that has been proposed during budget negotiations is an ill-advised proposal and I am vehemently opposed to it. This program, which seeks to provide assistance to people who have been left out of traditional benefits is ineffective...

Legislation to Address Nursing Home Visitation Policies Signed into Law

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that legislation he co-sponsored to help reunite families separated during the ongoing pandemic by expanding nursing home visitation rights has been signed into law (Ch. 89 of 2021). This law will...

Assemblyman Billy Jones: New Vaccine Distribution Plan Will Help Keep Residents Healthy

“It is great news that New York has released a plan to start vaccinating all New Yorkers 16 and over by Tuesday April 6. The vaccination sites across the North Country – from the state sites to the county health department PODs to pharmacies – have...

Assemblyman Billy Jones: MRTA Goes Too Far

“I have voted to decriminalize cannabis possession in the past, but I believe legalizing recreational cannabis use just goes too far. Many people in the recovery community have reached out to me with their concerns about legalizing cannabis and considering...

Assemblyman Jones: Assembly Budget Proposal Helps Support North Country Programs

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that the Assembly budget proposal includes funding for programs having a direct impact on the North Country. The One House Senate proposal included language to support a statewide broadband study; the...

Assemblyman Jones: DOH Must Expand Nursing Home Visitation

“Infection rates are continuing to decline while more and more people across the North Country are getting vaccinated, especially residents of nursing homes where the vaccination rate has reached 87%. With that in mind, the Department of Health needs...

Assemblyman Jones: New York State Employees Deserve Their Contracted Raise, Contracts

“Throughout this pandemic, many of our public servants including law enforcement officers have been working the frontlines to keep our society functioning and our communities safe,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) “In the wake of...

Assemblyman Jones: Expand Vaccine Eligibility to All New Yorkers

“After visiting local vaccination sites and hearing from so many of my constituents who want the vaccine but are not yet eligible, it is clear that the state vaccination distribution network is working efficiently and is prepared to open eligibility...

Assemblyman Jones: Assembly Proposal Supports North Country Agriculture

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that the Assembly budget proposal includes significant funding for agricultural programs that support farming communities and increase food security for all New Yorkers. “As we continue fighting and...

Assemblyman Jones: Assembly Budget Proposal Helps Tackle Broadband Access Gap

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that the Assembly budget proposal includes funding to study broadband access in communities across New York State. “Internet service is no longer a luxury – it’s an essential utility that nearly...