In recent months, our State has witnessed the deaths of several young people related to the use of synthetic drugs known as “bath salts.” In response to these tragedies, the Assembly passed a law prohibiting the production, sale and use of these drugs...

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today reminded homeowners receiving the Basic STAR benefit of the need to register with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance to continue receiving exemptions in 2014...

Ten years ago, the New York State Clean Indoor Air Act was signed into law. This monumental legislation outlawed smoking in bars, restaurants and many other public facilities, ensuring patrons and employees would no longer be subjected to the dangers...

Earlier this year, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver appointed me Chairman of the Assembly Task Force on University-Industry Cooperation. The Task Force focuses on university-industry collaborations which have the potential to yield intellectual and economic...

Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation sponsored by New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) (A.2371-A) which would allow the Town of Southampton to diminish the Bridgehampton and Sagaponack Beach Erosion Control Districts....

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. today expressed “disappointment” with the veto of A.73, which he sponsored with State Senator Ken LaValle, which would have established a procedure to evaluate the claim of the Montaukett Indians for...

Whether it is school, homework, extracurricular activities, surfing the Internet, playing video games or watching TV, teens are busy from the minute they wake up until their heads hit their pillows. But what about good old-fashioned reading? Sometimes...

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. has introduced State legislation for the 2014 Session that would direct the State University (SUNY) of New York to create a pilot program called the “Pay It Forward, Pay It Back Program” at two 4-year...

Tuesday, October 1, marks the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for recognizing the individuals and organizations that work tirelessly to prevent domestic violence and renewing the Assembly’s commitment to stand up for victims of...

Chances are you know someone who has suffered through a fight with breast cancer. It is a disease that knows no barriers and affects hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – a time to reaffirm our commitment...

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today applauded Governor Andrew Cuomo for calling on the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) to undertake an immediate reassessment of regulations pertaining to the amount of summer flounder...

Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. and Senator Kenneth P. LaValle today urged East End Towns, Villages and non profit entities to band together to develop and submit regionally supported projects to protect and restore the Peconic Estuary. This year,...

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today announced that the New York State Office of the Comptroller has released employer contribution rates for the New York State and Local Retirement System. Employer contribution rates...

Homeownership is a part of the American dream. People work hard every day to reach this mark of success, and there may be no better feeling than receiving the keys to your new home. But to have all of that torn away from you by a faceless, uncaring financial...

Imagine your child having maxed-out credit cards and a home foreclosed on before he or she even graduates high school. That may seem improbable, yet it’s not as rare as you may think. Child identity theft is a growing trend and it leads to nightmare...

Positive stories about the improving economy are popping up in the news on a more regular basis. The unemployment rate is ticking down. Growth, while slow, is steady. And we appear to have shaken the worst recession since the Great Depression. As...

New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today announced that a third phase has been added to the long-awaiting Montauk Highway resurfacing project. The third phase, costing approximately $24 million, will resurface Montauk...

On August 26th, our nation observed Women’s Equality Day. And while it’s important we celebrate the anniversary of the 19th Amendment’s final ratification – giving women the right to vote – the fight for full women’s equality continues. Here...

September 2 – Labor Day – truly exemplifies what this country is all about. It’s the perfect opportunity to gather with friends, family and neighbors to pay tribute to the hard work of men and women who built this nation. As many of us enjoy the...