Press Releases

A Time to give Thanks

Friend – Thanksgiving is a time to reflect the good in our lives, which, after a tumultuous year for many, seems to resonate especially well in 2017. I’m thankful to be able to continue to represent the Capital Region in Albany, and for the support...

New Regs Target On-Call Scheduling, McKownville Water Grant, New Laws Help Vets

The NYS Department of Labor announced new potential regulations of on-call scheduling in New York. On-call scheduling is the practice in which shift workers are called to work on short notice, or dismissed early if business is slow. The proposed regulations...

State & Local Tax Deductions at Risk, Water/Flood Remediation Grant, E-Cigs

On Monday, I joined Governor Cuomo and Senator Schumer in Selkirk as they launched a statewide push to urge New York's congressional representatives to protect the economy & the middle class by opposing the repeal of state and local tax (SALT) deductions....

Protecting New Yorkers Online, Concerns about Charters, Clean Power

Cyber security disasters like the recent Equifax breach are becoming all too common. The Equifax breach affected some 143 million American- more than half of all U.S. adults. These types of disasters are only anticipated to grow in scope; in less than...

Preventing Gun Violence and Banning the Bump-Stock

This week saw yet another senseless mass shooting, this time in Las Vegas. My thoughts have been with the victim’s families this week. We should all be concerned with how we can stop this from happening again. Gun Violence. America has a unique gun...

Fed & State Updates – Disasters, Taxes, Testimony & Women's Exhibits

I was devastated this week to see the extent of the damage done by Hurricane Maria to Puerto Rico. The island of 3 million Americans is suffering from extensive water and fuel shortages. Homes have been destroyed and left many homeless, and supplies...

The Power of Play: A Tech Valley Children’s Museum

Friend – I have an Op-Ed in this Friday’s Times Union with Michael Castellana calling for the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST) to be re-imagined as a world-class children’s museum in Albany. Out of a crisis for CMOST comes...

The Power of Play: A Tech Valley Children’s Museum

I have an Op-Ed in this Friday’s Times Union with Michael Castellana calling for the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology (CMOST) to be re-imagined as a world-class children’s museum in Albany. Out of a crisis for CMOST comes an enormous...

Updates on Childcare and Paid Family Leave

Thanks to all voters for participating in last week's elections. Our democracy requires an engaged electorate and I thank those who do their part to keep engaged and keep our community strong. NYS Assembly Women's Caucus to Host Childcare Roundtables....

Updates on DACA, State Grants & Electric Superchargers

This week it was announced that President Trump would be ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA has offered hope and opportunity for those that have come to our country as children and often know of no other home. While...

Paper, Plastic, or Planet?; Harvey Relief Efforts

It seems that fall is suddenly upon us this week, with temperatures dipping below the 60s at night—not to mention budget season appears to be starting with lobbyists trickling back into the Capitol. Good luck to families sending kids back to school...

Local Lawmakers Get High Marks from Conservation Voters, CDTA Best in Nation

The signs of the end summer are all around us this week; the NYS Fair opened this Monday, and school is starting back up. I spent the latter part of this week dropping off my daughter, Eileen, for her first year of college and my son, Brendan, for his...

Condemning Charlottesville Violence, Assembly's Always in Session, Sen Gillibrand Visit

This weekend the nation witnessed a horrific episode leaving three dead and many injured at an Alt-Right rally in Charlottesville, VA. This flagrant, outrageous display of racism, bigotry and hatred is deeply troubling and unacceptable at any time and...

Governor Signs Bill Promoting Craft Distillers, 109th District Newsletter in the Mail

My annual legislative newsletter to the 109th Assembly District was mailed earlier this week. This edition contains a special feature on Capital Region trails, with exciting updates about planned expansion, renovations and upgrades to our region’s robust...

Summer 2017 Newsletter

Must-See Production of “Ragtime” in Washington Park, Albany School Board Elections Moved to May

This Wednesday, I saw “Ragtime” at the Park Playhouse in Washington Park – and I cannot convey enough that this show is a must-see! It's free and runs through July 29th at 8 PM (Tuesdays through Saturdays). Ragtime is a soaring and culturally-important...

Highway Named for Local Vet, Healthcare Bill Looms

Albany became a bit quieter this week – especially with an “extraordinary” end to session last week, and the long holiday weekend. Major General Harold Greene Street Naming. I am pleased to report that Governor Cuomo signed my bill naming a portion...

Session Completed & Water Music on Erie Canal

Friend – At the close of regular session over a week ago, I expressed serious concerns about business left unfinished by the legislature and my anxiousness to return to finish our work on the extension of county sales tax, which are critical to the...

Wondering what just happened at the end of New York's 2017 legislative session?

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Friend – You're invited to join myself and Capitol Confidential tomorrow, along with Senators Neil Breslin and Jim Tedisco, and Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin at the new Hearst Media Center for What Just Happened? An After-Action Report on the 2017...

End of Session Highlights

This Wednesday was the last official day of legislative session for 2017, however, it remains to be seen whether or not the Legislature will reconvene to address outstanding issues such as the extension of county sales tax provisions and mayoral control...