Press Releases

Jacobson Praises $62 Million Settlement with Central Hudson, Still Demands Public Hearings and Denial on Rate Hike

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) praised the Public Service Commission (PSC) for its $62.59 settlement with Central Hudson, after years of bad billing practices that left customers frustrated and unable to pay. The settlement – to be paid for...

Jacobson Passes Legislation to Stop Conflicts of Interest at the Board of Elections

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) passed legislation to prohibit conflicts of interest at Boards of Elections (A1244). The bill prohibits specific financial conflicts of interest for board employees and forbids them from working at the Board of...

Jacobson to PSC: Deny Central Hudson Rate Hike Request and Schedule More Public Hearings

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) sent a letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting more public hearings before a final decision on Central Hudson's application for a rate hike. He also repeated his opposition to the proposed increase....

Jacobson to PSC: Central Hudson Rate Increase Recommendation is an ‘Unaffordable Insult’

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) blasted the Central Hudson rate increase recommended to the Public Service Commission (PSC) of 16.7% for electric and 21.8% for gas as “an unaffordable insult to every Central Hudson customer.” Central Hudson...

Jacobson’s FAFSA Bill Included in State Budget

A bill sponsored by Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) to expand opportunity for high school students by helping them access scholarships and grants was included in the recently enacted State budget. The new rule requires high school seniors to...

Jacobson Applauds New EPA Standards as a Historic Step in the Fight to Limit Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) is applauding the first-ever national drinking water standard to protect against exposure to per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Jacobson,...

Jacobson Calls on New York State to Fortify its Bridges Against Cargo Ships

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) is calling on New York State to review and fortify its bridges, citing the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore due to a cargo ship collision and a recent New York Times article pointing out potential...

Jacobson Scores Major Victories in Assembly Budget Restoring Cuts to Education, Highway Funding and Clean Water

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) scored significant victories in the Assembly one- house budget, restoring cuts from the Governor’s budget to public schools, highway funding and clean water infrastructure, including the replacement of lead water...

Governor Adopts Jacobson’s FAFSA Bill in Budget

A bill (A8953) sponsored by Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) requiring high school seniors to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now part of Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget. If this section of the budget passes,...

Governor Signs Major Utility Reform Bill Sponsored by Jacobson and Hinchey

Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a sweeping utility reform bill (A.4055/S.4234) sponsored by Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) and State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D-41) aimed at curbing chronic late billing by Central Hudson and other utility companies....

Jacobson Applauds Proposed EPA Rule Requiring All Lead Water Lines to be Replaced

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) is commending the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal requiring all lead service lines be replaced. While the EPA has water standards regarding lead, this is the first time that the agency would...

Jacobson Praises State Education Department Proposal to Require Financial Literacy for Graduation

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) is praising the new State Education Department Blue Ribbon Commission proposal to require financial literacy classes to graduate high school. This requirement mirrors Jacobson’s own bill (A2298). “Graduating...

Jacobson, Deichler, and Environmental Advocates Call on City of Poughkeepsie to Get the Lead out of City Drinking Water

On Thursday, July 6th at 5:30pm, Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson, City of Poughkeepsie Councilperson Megan Deichler, and environmental advocacy groups call on Mayor Mark Nelson and the Common Council to adopt an ordinance committing the City of Poughkeepsie...

Jacobson Announces $30,000 for Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

On Friday, June 23rd at 11am, Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh) will announce $30,000 in funding for the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater’s educational programming WHO:Assemblymember Jonathan JacobsonDavid Toman, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater...

Jacobson and Hinchey Pass Legislation Curbing Late Billing from Central Hudson

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) and State Senator Michelle Hinchey (D- 41) have passed legislation aimed at curbing chronic late billing by Central Hudson and other utility companies. Bill A.4055A/ S04234-A prohibits utilities from back-billing...

Jacobson Passes “Faithless Electors” Legislation to Ensure that Presidential Votes Are Properly Counted

This week, Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) passed legislation (A928) requiring New York’s electoral voters to cast their ballots for the presidential and vice- presidential candidates who win the state’s popular vote in the November general...

Jacobson Calls on President Biden to Provide Work Papers for Asylum Seekers in the Town of Newburgh

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) sent a letter this week calling on President Biden to provide work papers for asylum seekers who were recently sent from New York City to the Town of Newburgh. In his letter, Jacobson wrote: “New York City is...

Jacobson Statement on Migrants Housed in Town of Newburgh

“A little more than a week ago, the office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams notified me that he would be sending sixty migrant men from New York City to a hotel in the Town of Newburgh. I immediately emphasized the need for sufficient support staff....

Jacobson Statement on 2023-24 New York State Budget

“I am proud of the many wins in the newly passed state budget. I fought hard for Hudson Valley families, delivering significant increases to public schools, including for pre-K and Kindergarten programs. Major investments in childcare and our public...

Jacobson Praises Damning PSC Report Documenting Central Hudson’s Multiple Missteps and Violations

Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-104) is praising the Public Service Commission (PSC) for the report it released today, documenting the deeply troubled launch of Central Hudson’s new, multi-million-dollar billing system. Among its many findings,...