As your newly elected state assemblyman, it has been my privilege and honor to represent you in the state Capitol through this legislative session. While our work is far from over, and every day I am out in our community meeting with constituents and working on projects, I am very pleased that I was able to deliver the following legislation for our region during this first legislative session, which now awaits the Governor’s approval.

o Sponsored and voted to extend the state’s Volunteer Firefighters Benefit Law to cover cancer treatments. With our volunteer fire companies working around the clock to protect our lives and property, passing this measure was very important to me and I am so proud to have delivered it.

o Sponsored and voted for legislation for many philanthropic organizations in our community including the Clarence Rotary Club that now allows charities such as booster clubs, civic groups and volunteer fire companies to more easily fundraise by selling raffle tickets online.

o Stood up for our most vulnerable citizens by co-sponsoring and voting on legislation that prevented the closure of the Western New York Children’s Psychiatric Center.

I am also pleased to see the following measures have been enacted:

o Ride sharing services for Western New York residents and I am pleased that Uber and Lyft are finally operating here, which will enhance tourism and our economy.

o An additional $65 million for local road repair that will be critical to enhancing our state infrastructure.

o Fought for $200 million to combat the state’s growing heroin and prescription drug abuse epidemic, specifically for the funding of prevention and treatment programs as well as assisting schools, local governments and law enforcement to tackle addiction in our community.

o Regarding the recent Lake Ontario flooding and devastation on our south shore communities and tourism economy, I spent most of this session working with our local municipalities, fire companies, National Guard and property owners to assess the damage and encourage our state and federal governments to take action. Working together in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues in the state Legislature, we passed a $55 million relief package to assist property owners, businesses and municipalities.

Please know that I will continue to work on your behalf and do everything in my power to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff at (716) 839-4691 or by emailing me at norrism@nyassembly.gov. For updates, please also consider following me on social media sites like Facebook.