Press Releases

Friend Applauds Owego Native Doug Hurley on NASA/SpaceX Launch

“The space industry has led to many advancements in everyday life. I am proud to have a Southern Tier native onboard this historic flight and joint effort between NASA and SpaceX. Doug Hurley is a source of pride for our community and an inspiration...

Friend Introduces Legislation Aimed at Increasing Local Authority in Emergencies by Limiting Governor's Expanded Powers

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and his Assembly Minority Colleagues introduced legislation which would provide checks and balances on the governor’s executive powers during emergency declarations exceeding 45 days. This would...

Friend Calling for Solutions For All Regions of NY in Covid-19 Recovery

“This week, Majority legislative leaders are putting forward a few dozen COVID-19-related bills which are heavily focused on the needs of New York City while largely ignoring items that will help upstate New Yorkers. We, too, have been in the midst...

Friend: Nursing Homes Need Help to Meet Governor's Testing Requirements

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) has been in communication with area nursing homes over the new requirements set forth by Gov. Cuomo for expanded testing of residents and twice-a-week testing of staff. These long-term care facilities...

Friend Calling for Fed and State Government to Invest in Broadband Expansion for Its Critical Role in Daily Life Due to Coronavirus

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) wrote letters with his Assembly Minority colleagues to the president, New York’s congressional delegation, the governor and other state leaders urging them to prioritize broadband expansion as part...

Friend Signs Letter with 160 State Legislators Nationwide To Reopen Economy

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats), with 160 state legislators nationwide, signed a letter to President Trump and their respective state leaders calling for the reopening of the U.S. economy. About 33.5 million American workers have filed...

Friend Asking for Relief for Firefighters and EMS Fighting Covid-19

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats), along with his Assembly Minority colleagues, signed a letter to the president and the New York State congressional delegation asking them to include volunteer firefighters and emergency medical service...

Friend: Glad for Consensus on Regional Reopening Approach, But Definite Details Needed

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) appreciates the governor is in agreement with the Assembly Minority Conference about a regional reopening approach, after announcing a similar plan on Monday. The conference released its proposal, NYS...

Friend, Assembly Minority Unveil ‘Jump-Start New York,’ an Economic Recovery Strategy

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and the Assembly Minority Conference announced a new strategy to help New Yorkers, small businesses and the recovery of the state economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan builds on proposals in the...

Friend Calls on State to Take Mitigating Action to Help NY Farms during Covid-19 Pandemic

Recently, Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and his Assembly Minority colleagues wrote to the president and other federal officials urging that the national government take steps to help agriculture which is being harmed during the COVID-19...

Friend Calls on State to Take Mitigating Action to Help NY Farms during Covid-19 Pandemic - Letter

Friend Calling on Federal Government to Act in Supporting NY Farmers

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) joined his Assembly Minority colleagues in calling for the federal government to act in providing relief to New York farmers who have been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 response. Unlike other sectors,...

Friend: Bail Reform Fix Must Be on Legislative Agenda

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats), who has been advocating for the repeal of the bail reform changes passed in 2019, believes the scale back of the so-called “reforms” does not go far enough. It was clear to every New Yorker...

Friend: Struggling New Yorkers Obviously Not The Priority in State Budget

“Majority leaders have been unfolding this budget piece by piece, and every part unveiled is revealing more of their misplaced priorities which put our New York families last. Our residents are struggling and are scared. They don’t need policies...

Friend: Even in Correcting Flawed Bail Reform, Transparency is needed

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) joins law enforcement organizations in calling for a transparent process in which the flawed bail reform is corrected. As the budget is negotiated there have been hints that a bail reform agreement is...

Friend Calling on Governor to Provide PPE to Corrections Officers

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the governor to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) to corrections officers working in state prisons. Corrections officers, due to the close work done with individuals in the prison...

Area State Lawmakers Urge Governor to Accept Federal Aid and Not Pass Medicaid Costs to Counties

Albany, N.Y. — State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I) today urged Governor Andrew Cuomo and the Majority leaders of the State Legislature to accept more than...

Friend Releases Resource Guide on Covid-19 on New Facebook Page

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) recently released a downloadable “Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Guide” which lists hotlines and important links to provide general information and information for businesses, employees,...

Friend: Keep Gov’t Operating and Assist People and Small Businesses Impacted By Covid-19 in Budget

“As the budget deadline looms, I am concerned by the hints from the governor that controversial and unnecessary policy may find its way into the state budget. Our state is facing one of its most pressing challenges, the magnitude of which we still...

Friend Urges Governor to Suspend Prison Visitations to Limit Spread Of Covid-19

Assemblyman Christopher Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the governor to suspend or greatly restrict visitation to state prisons to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Throughout the state many counties have taken measures to limit visitation to protect...