Assemblymember Patricia Fahy (D-Albany) was awarded the “Excellence in Mandated Representation” Award by the New York State Bar Association on Friday June 9th. Assemblymember Fahy sponsored Indigent Legal Services Reform, sometimes called the “Justice...

The end of legislative session is near, and late night sessions are beginning as the legislature tries to push through its priorities for the year. Politico New York published an informative write-up earlier in the week of what to watch for these final...

With the end of session getting closer, the days are getting busier and busier in the legislature. Of particular interest to those with college-bound students, this week the Higher Education Services Commission released new information about the Excelsior...

What a week! While the focus of the media may be on the ongoing reports coming from Washington, we’re continuing to work on important issues here in the legislature. The Times Union published an editorial this past weekend, which is particularly relevant...

Particularly in the current political climate, local civic participation has become more important than ever. Next week, please turn out to vote on school budgets and school board candidates as well as library board candidates on May 16. I am pleased...

Childcare is an issue of major economic importance to women and families in the Capital Region, and I will continue to advocate for increased funding to protect our region’s most vulnerable. This week, I joined a group of bi-partisan colleagues from...

Last week, in celebration of Earth Day and science research, I spoke at a huge rally in West Capitol Park in solidarity with “March For Science” events around the country. It was inspiring to see nearly 4,000 attendees standing up for science and...

Since passage of NYS Budget, I’ve hosted conversations across the 109th district to discuss the impact of the budget on our communities. While the budget is an omnibus package of bills, and I have received questions on a wide range of issues with most...

Friend – Want to learn more about the recently finalized state budget? The NYS budget is a complicated piece of legislation that has dominated local news for the past few weeks; and I've heard from many constituents with questions about what it means...

The last few weeks of budget negotiations were tumultuous but ultimately highly productive and I am pleased – and relieved – to note a final budget deal was reached this past weekend. The Assembly passed the final budget bills on Saturday and the...

Friend, The last few weeks of budget negotiations were tumultuous but ultimately highly productive and I am pleased – and relieved – to note a final budget deal was reached this past weekend. The Assembly passed the final budget bills on Saturday...

This is a previously submitted op-ed explaining the importance of including language that corrects problems with New York’s indigent defense system in the state budget. In New York State, the costs of indigent legal services, or legal representation...

Budget negotiations are well underway, and it’s been an eventful week advocating for the critical funding items in the budget important to the Capital District including a number noted below. . On Wednesday, I joined CDTA and the New York Public Transit...

This past week, the Assembly passed its “one-house” budget resolution in response to the Governor’s executive budget, which will be negotiated over the next couple of weeks with the Governor and the Senate to produce the final budget. I’m pleased...

Friend – This week, I was disappointed to learn that the $12.5 million in aid requested by Mayor Sheehan was not included in the 30 day amendments to the Executive Budget. This comes in light of the fact that the City awaits the results of the state...

Earlier this week, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan described the city's budget shortfall as a "crisis" to lawmakers during a joint legislative budget hearing. Albany faces a unique challenge as a city with about 60% of its properties being tax exempt, the...

The inauguration of our 45th President, Donald Trump, and peaceful transition of power took place last week along with rallies and inspiring marches across the nation by women and men exercising their rights of free speech and assembly. A host of anticipated...

Start of 239th Legislative Session. I am disappointed that the Governor is breaking tradition and not formally presenting his State of the State message to the Legislature, however, I look forward to hearing more on his plans when his budget is released...

This week, Governor Cuomo announced winners of the sixth round of the Regional Economic Development Council awards and I’m proud to say Capital Region won big this year, being named as a “Top Performer” with $83.1 million in funding. A few...

This week, Assembly Democrats are returning for conference meetings and the rumblings of a special session continue, particularly with regard to additional ethics reform, pay increases and housing agreements. A preview of what to expect this month and...