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 Congress has failed to act on immigration reform, DACA has provided critical safeguards for these children and students and has allowed so many to come out of the shadows. In New York State, this decision will impact some 42,000 beneficiaries who are already pursuing a career or contributing to our economy to fulfill their American Dream and better their future. We cannot tear families apart in this way and I will continue to be a voice in support of Dreamers in New York.

Eid al-Adha Celebration. I was honored to welcome Muslims from six Capital Region Mosques last week to celebrate Eid al-Adha at the Capital Center. Eid is a holiday that celebrates sacrifice in the Muslim community, which I experienced earlier this year in hosting the first New York legislative celebration of Ramadan. The strength of this country is founded and based on its diversity, and I am so proud to live in a region that’s so welcoming.

Governor Announces New Effort to Combat Addiction. The Governor announced on Wednesday new statewide guidance and regulations that will limit patient brokering and reduce barriers to insurance coverage for addiction treatment. The announcements were made at the grand opening of a new $25.6 million substance use disorder treatment center on Wards Island that will provide services for women with children, female young adults, and adults 55 and older.

Grant Updates

NYPA Announces Emissions Reducing Project Grant for Albany. On Tuesday $1.4 million in funding was announced for three, innovative energy-saving projects in the City of Albany that will help the City reduce greenhouse gas by 773 tons a year and are estimated to save the City approximately $240,000 in annual energy costs. Albany proposed its innovative projects as part of the Governor's Five Cities race-to-the-top clean energy competition, a program designed to accelerate energy efficiency in New York's five largest cities, outside of New York City.

Assembly Grant for Dream Center Partnership. The South End Children’s Cafe will partner with Youth FX, the City of Albany, and the Albany Housing Authority to provide services from the current Dream Center building at 25 Warren Street. This partnership will provide job readiness skills, volunteer opportunities and internships to give youth training for present and future success. It's an exciting new development, and I am proud to have helped secure and designate a $250,000 grant to aid this project.

Community Updates

Red Cross of Northeastern New York Telethon. I was proud to join the Red Cross of Northeastern New York for their telethon to raise fund for Hurricane Harvey victims. The telethon raised over $100,000!

Largest Tesla Supercharger in Northeast Opens in Guilderland. Crossgates Mall is now home to a 20-stall Supercharger station for Tesla vehicles. According to a press release from Tesla and Crossgates, it is the largest Supercharger for Tesla vehicles in the Northeast, "highlighting Tesla's commitment to growing New York's electric vehicle infrastructure and supporting local business development." I truly hope that the Supercharger station at Crossgates Mall helps ‘supercharge’ the use of electric vehicles. Many thanks to Crossgates for their vision, and thank you to Tesla for your ongoing work to make electric vehicles more accessible.

Run with me at the AHS Falcon 5k. The fifth annual Albany Booster Club Falcon 5K and Fun Run will be on Sunday, Sept. 24, in Washington Park, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. The 5K begins at 9:30 a.m., and the kids’ one-mile Fun Run is at 10:30 a.m. Online registration is available through Thursday, Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. Online registration is $5 for students, $10 for college students and $15 for adults. Each registration fee increases by $5 for registration on the morning of the event. Join me as a runner in this great event to support our local schools!

Free Online Cornell Climate Change Course. Cornell is offering an exciting opportunity for those interested in learning more about climate change. A free online course running from September 11 through October 1 will offer student the ability to learn about our changing world. Students will learn about basic climate change science, impacts, communication strategies, and actions. Learn about registering here.

First New York Bike Summit at the New Hearst Center! On Friday, September 15, 2017, from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, the New York Bicycling Coalition will host the first ever New York State Bike Summit at the Hearst Center in Albany. The first annual Bike Summit is an effort to bring together all entities that play a role in making New York a more bike and walk-friendly state. I hope other Capital Region cycling enthusiasts will join me at this event!

Annual Mississippi Day Celebration. The annual Mississippi Day Celebration will be this Saturday, September 9 from noon to 5:00 PM. Mississippi Day is a celebration of everything wonderful about the South. This free event includes music, dancing, vendors, community informational booth, and great Southern soul food.

Upcoming Book Reviews at the Albany Public Library. There are several upcoming book reviews happening at the Albany Public Library Branch on 161 Washington Ave Tuesdays at 12:15 PM:

Dereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That led to Vietnam

When: September 12

Reviewer: Mike Breslin, former Albany County Executive and West Point Grad

Moonglow

When: September 19

Reviewer: Martha Rozett, PhD, professor emerita of English, UAlbany

The Best American Poetry 2017

When: September 26

Reviewer: Dan Wilcox, poet and peace activist

Job Opportunities: New York State has set up 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