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 directed study to guide the city in its fiscal deliberations. I am concerned about the fiscal future of the City of Albany without this aid.

Albany's AIM (Aid to Municipalities) funding per capita is a quarter of what Buffalo and Syracuse receive and half of what Utica and Troy receive, making it the lowest AIM funding per capita of any city with more than 50,000 people in the state. Considering that over 60% of the property in the City is tax exempt, and the overwhelming majority of that property is owned by the State, it is unfair to place an even greater tax burden on Albany residents and businesses.

I will continue to work with Senator Breslin and Assemblymember McDonald to assist Mayor Sheehan in advocating for Albany to avoid drastic tax increases and maintain critical services.

Assembly Passes Criminal Justice Reform, Including “Raise the Age.” Last week the Assembly passed a series of criminal justice reforms including "Raise the Age." New York is currently one of two states, along with North Carolina, that allows minors that are 16 and 17 years old to be tried as adults, and kept in adult detention facilities. The package includes sweeping legislation that would help ensure fair and effective prosecution, reduce recidivism and promote the success of individuals following incarceration and overall create a more equitable justice system.

Commissioner of Environmental Conservation Testifies to Joint Budget Committee. At a Monday environmental budget hearing, I was able to question the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, Basil Seggos, regarding proposals to allow additional anchorages for oil barges in the Hudson River, as well as concerns about oil train traffic in the Port of Albany. You can watch his testimony along with my comments and questions here.

Legislators Call for Funding for Refugee Resettlement. Last week I was joined by legislators from cities across Upstate New York to call on our state to support refugee resettlement agencies should the President be successful in instituting a four month moratorium on refugee resettlement. Upstate cities have experienced tremendous economic impacts from refugee resettlement, which has enriched our local economy and schools. Refugees are vigorously and thoroughly vetted prior to entry to the US, and by denying them the necessary resources to transition and thrive; we stand to put all this at risk.

As a proud mentor to a refugee family, I know how transition services help speed the integration of these families into our communities and into the work place. Providing assistance for these resettlement organizations, especially if the President is successful in instating this moratorium, ensures that this benefit will continue while preventing staff turnover and financial turmoil in the overworked agencies that these refugees depend on.

Local Elected Officials Attend Rally in Support of Planned Parenthood and Statement from Bishop. Last Saturday, I joined Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Congressman Paul Tonko at a rally in support of Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood. The rally attracted more than 1,000 supporters from across the region in a show of solidarity with reproductive healthcare centers across the country.

As a legislator representing Albany and surrounding towns in the New York State Assembly, I have personally encountered many women who depend on healthcare services provided by Planned Parenthood and are grateful for the access to medical professionals that help them make safe, well-informed personal decisions. The tone and statement published by the Bishop earlier this week in response to my support to these critical services is unfortunate, to say the least.

While these are sensitive, deeply personal issues, I have long supported the principles under both federal and state law protecting a woman's right to choose. Coming of age in an era where this was not a guaranteed right, I was strongly influenced by stories of women who did not have such a right and ultimately put their lives at risk in unsafe environments to make this personal and private decision. Having the ability to choose does not make that decision easier for many women, so providers such as Planned Parenthood, in addition to providing services vital services like cancer screenings and birth control consultation, enable women to make affordable choices about their healthcare without putting them at risk.

Updates on Empire State Trail. The Governor, in his executive budget, has introduced a plan to develop the Empire State Trail. The trail would stretch from Albany to Buffalo and from New York City to Canada, and I am proud to support it. The cost of the plan, however, has raised concerns from fellow Assemblymembers. The trail would be the longest multi-use trail in the United States. A 2014 study put the economic impact of the Erie Canalway Trail alone at $253 million annually and over 3,000 jobs created; an impact that will only increase when a fully connected system is completed.

Altamont "I Love My Library" Event. I joined another sellout crowd for the annual Altamont Library's "I Love My Library" celebration. This event honored the Train Station Quilters, a group of artists that have helped work to beautify and raise money for the library for over 10 years. Their artistry and charity stands as a wonderful example of commitment to community and local libraries.

Visit to Guilderland and Albany School Board Meetings; Testimony from Education Commissioner. This week I was able to attend meetings of both the Guilderland and Albany School Boards to discuss the proposed state education budget. On Tuesday, I was also able to question State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia about the state's progress in sufficiently providing for English Language Learner students as well as developments on teacher training.

Celebrate Women's History Month "Petticoats of Steel" Production. Join me along with the League of Women Voters and the New York Archives for the play "Petticoats of Steel" on Thursday, March 2nd, at 5:30 PM at the Huxley Theater. Come celebrate the centennial of women's suffrage in New York; and hear from figures like Sojourner Truth, Susan B Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The event is free, but seating is limited, so reserve your spot now!

Rabbi Israel Rubin Visits Capitol. It was my pleasure this week to introduce Rabbi Israel Rubin during Assembly session. Rabbi Rubin is the founder of the Capital Region Chabad Outreach Centers, and has been active in many Capital Region communal and educational Jewish organizations, including the Maimonides Hebrew Day School.

Job Opportunities: New York State has setup a new job portal entitled Jobs Express, where thousands of private and public sector jobs are listed. Visit jobs.ny.gov for more information on how to apply for these opportunities.

As always, for the latest news or for upcoming events, please visit my office online, on Facebook, on Twitter, or my Times Union blog. If you would like to reach my office, please feel free to send us a note.

Sincerely---

Pat