Press Releases

DeStefano Reacts to Hochul’s Budget Address

“Gov. Hochul’s budget address was rather disappointing, vague and, yet again, left many of us searching for answers. One thing is clear, New York has a spending problem. Every year the budget grows larger and larger, without additional revenue sources....

DeStefano Joins Call For Action

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) is pleased to join his Minority colleagues to call for greater anti-crime measures. New York is currently facing a rise in crime including a 46.7 percent increase in murders from 2019 to 2020. In that same year,...

DeStefano Reacts to Hochul’s State of the State Address

“Gov. Hochul’s State of the State Address was just like every other; a pep talk full of platitudes. With so many questions New Yorkers have, we are entering year three of this pandemic with very few answers. That was a missed opportunity by Gov. Hochul....

DeStefano: Judiciary Report Provides Validation

“The Assembly Judiciary report only validates what we already knew; former Gov. Cuomo lied to New Yorkers, harassed multiple women and abused his office for personal profit. His refusal to comply with the Assembly investigation speaks volumes. Now that...

DeStefano on the Eviction Moratorium

“Today’s decision to extend the eviction moratorium without a way to streamline rent relief just shows the lack of competence and leadership in Albany,” said DeStefano. “Landlords and tenants have struggled to make ends meet over the last 18 months...

DeStefano: Great Day For New York

“Today is a great day for New York. Disgraced former Gov. Cuomo is gone. My sincere hope is that the corruption, cover-ups and scandals are also gone with Gov. Hochul now leading our state,” said DeStefano. “History was made today as Kathy Hochul...

DeStefano on the End of 2021 Session

“This year’s legislative session was more of the same backward-thinking polices which have only hurt New Yorkers,” said DeStefano. “The Assembly Majority prioritized legislation protecting criminals and illegal immigrants while abandoning hard-working...

DeStefano: Arbitrary Mask Mandates Have To Go

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) is pleased to join his Minority colleagues in support of a bill which would prohibit state agencies from mandating masks for anyone under 18 years old. The current seven-day positivity rate in New York state is...

DeStefano: Roll Back The Emergency Declaration

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) is pleased to join his Minority colleagues in support of a resolution which would terminate the state disaster emergency declared by Executive Order 202. The current 7-day positivity rate in New York state is...

DeStefano: Toddler Mask Mandate Is Absurd

“Gov. Cuomo’s mask mandate on toddlers is utterly absurd, this is not the direction in which the state should be going,” said DeStefano. “We cannot expect a two-year-old to keep a mask on for hours. Meanwhile, New York has the lowest COVID-19...

DeStefano Designates April As Bullying Prevention Month

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) is pleased to announce that his resolution to proclaim the month of April as Bullying Prevention Month passed the Assembly today. DeStefano has been a vocal advocate for increasing awareness to prevent bullying....

DeStefano: The Majority Prioritized Illegals Over Vets

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) is expressing his disappointment in Assembly Majority after a Ways and Means Committee vote at which they blocked a proposalthat would provide income tax exemptions for New York state veterans. This comes days...

DeStefano: Gov. Cuomo Is Corrupt

“Gov. Cuomo has entangled himself in yet another scandal; in the beginning days of the pandemic the governor prioritized COVID-19 testing for his relatives and influential people with ties to his administration. This only highlights the fact that Gov....

DeStefano on ‘We Care’ Remembrance Day

“Today I stood with my colleagues to celebrate “We Care” Remembrance Day, which honors the lives of over 15,000 New York nursing home and adult-care facility residents. It has been a year since the governor issued the notorious executive order which...

DeStefano: Remove Curfews and Restrictions

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“Today I joined my colleagues to call for the repeal of two of Gov. Cuomo’s Executive Orders, one which forces restaurants to close at 11 p.m. and another which requires customers to purchase food with any order of an alcoholic beverage. Small businesses...

DeStefano: Majority Takes NY on Wild Tax Ride

“State Majority politicians are planning to take New Yorkers on a wild tax ride with proposing $6.8 billion in new tax hikes. The federal government is coming to help New York with billions in aid to help us recover from the pandemic. Combine that...

DeStefano: It Is Past Time for Governor to Resign

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R, C, I-Medford) has joined the Assembly Minority Conference in support of an impeachment resolution to begin the impeachment process for Gov. Cuomo, as two more women stepped forward over the weekend with sexual harassment...

DeStefano Designates March as Music in Our Schools Month

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) is pleased to announce that his Resolution to proclaim the month of March as Music in Our Schools Month passed the Assembly today. DeStefano is a vocal advocate for music educational programs which promote musical...

DeStefano Reacts to Fake Repeal Bill

“Today, the Assembly Majority covered for Gov. Cuomo one step further, by passing this fake repeal bill which only extends and expands the governor’s emergency powers. A full revoke of the governor’s emergency powers is warranted given the current...

DeStefano Joins Call for Greater State Investment in Local Roads Across NY

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) with colleagues in the state Legislature.
“Today I joined my colleagues in calling for a restoration of funding for local infrastructure. We are asking to restore $120.6 million in transportation aid cut from last year’s budget and additional funding to maintain local roads, bridges and culverts....