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 network of walking and biking trails. You can find a digital copy here.
Health Care Repeal Fails to Move Forward. The ongoing debate on healthcare reform in Washington last week took a dramatic turn last week, when at the 11th hour Senator John McCain put the final nail in the coffin of the plan for the “skinny repeal.” This solidified the plan’s defeat, which has been railed against for months by disability and healthcare advocates, as well as Republican Senators Collins and Murkowski. I’m pleased to see that a bi-partisan group of federal lawmakers has emerged to examine how remaining concerns with the ACA may be addressed without pulling out the rug from underneath the most vulnerable Americans.
Collins Proposes Anti-Gun Safety Legislation. I was dismayed on Monday to learn that Western NY Congressman Chris Collins has proposed federal legislation which would effectively nullify the SAFE Act. The Second Amendment Guarantee Act would prohibit states and municipalities from limiting the use or ownership of firearms in any way. This proposal ignores the local realities that communities around the country must face when attempting to curb gun violence. In Upstate NY in particular, where the majority of residents support each component of the SAFE Act, (http://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-opinion/article/Upstate-supports-SAFE-Act-s-common-sense-gun-laws-11095394.php) the Collins proposal would leave victims of domestic violence at particular risk. Under the SAFE Act, those convicted of domestic violence offences are not legally permitted to own firearms, protecting their victims and the law enforcement officers that respond to domestic violence calls.
Governor Signs Bill Promoting NYS Craft Distillers. Last week, Governor Cuomo signed my bill to allow farm distillers to sell NYS craft beer, wine and cider by the glass on-site. Farm breweries, wineries and cideries all have the right to offer tastings of various craft beverages on location - this bill restores fairness for farm distilleries, who previously were excluded from that right. I thank Governor Cuomo for signing this bill into law, allowing craft beverage producers at farms across New York State to thrive as drivers of tourism and local economies across the state.
New Guilderland Chamber of Commerce President. Congratulations to Michelle Viola-Straight for being selected as the new President of the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce. Viola-Straight started the position early in July, and is the owner of Route 20 Newsstand and I look forward to working with Michelle, and I’m excited about her plans to develop a stronger working relationship between the chamber and Guilderland Public Schools.
New Plaque Recognizes Sam Abbot, “Capitol Ghost”. Last Monday, a bill I sponsored with Senator Catherine Young commemorating former Capitol night watchman Sam Abbot was signed into law by the Governor. Abbot, a Civil War veteran, was the sole casualty of the 1911 Capitol fire which destroyed much of New York’s historic Capitol Building. Over the years since his passing, he has become something of a local historical legend, with his ghost being rumored to haunt the Capitol late at night. I’m proud to have sponsored this bill honoring Abbot’s service, which will be commemorated by a plaque near his work post in the Capitol.
Community Updates
Request for Historic 109th “District Facts.” At the start of each day of legislative session, Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Morelle begins session by sharing some historic facts about the State of New York, and about the different Assembly districts that make up NYS. My office submits some of these facts each year—and with a region as rich in history as the Capital District, you can be sure there are many fascinating stories. We welcome submissions of historic facts about Albany, Bethlehem, Guilderland and New Scotland, which may be submitted to be shared with the Assembly during legislative session. You can email your historic facts to fahyp@nyassembly.gov!
Update on Children's Museum / CMOST Relocation. Last Thursday, the Time Union ran another piece about plans to relocate CMOST, the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology currently located in North Greenbush. Children’s museums present a unique opportunity to spur economic development, attract tourists, and spark an interest in STEM fields in young children. In the Capital Region, these benefits could be best realized with a museum located in the region’s urban core—a point I will continue to stress during discussions surrounding future plans for CMOST.
Museum in the Streets Opening. Last Wednesday, the Altamont Village Archives and Museum and the Altamont Free Library hosted the unveiling and dedication of The Museum in the Streets, with over 100 in attendance. The Museum in the Streets is designed as a historical and cultural walking tour. There are 27 stops along the walking tour with the main maps located in Orsini Park in the heart of the village and on Gun Club Road. Visitors can learn about the Village of Altamont's origins through the use of archival images in a bilingual format of both English and Spanish. I was proud to help secure state funding for this project, which highlights many historical gems in the village of Altamont.
CDPHP Cycle Launches. Last Thursday, CDTA, in partnership with CDPHP, launched their new Capital Region bike share program CDPHP Cycle. Bike shares are growing in forward-thinking cities all over the world, and this new healthy and environmentally-friendly transportation option will link area's most exciting destinations in the Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady and Troy.
Albany Pine Bush Brings Karner Blue Butterfly Back from Brink of Extinction. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve announced last week that they have exceeded their population recovery goals for the Karner Blue Butterfly. The population has soared from just 1,000 butterflies to over 15,000, far exceeding the federal goal of 3,000. The butterfly was of particular interest to notable 20th century Russian author Vladimir Nabokov, who in addition to a prolific career as an author was a butterfly expert who first established the species' link to the Pine Barrens.
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.