The legislature is finishing up session, but if you’ve missed any of the news in recent months, be sure to read my 2018 Spring Budget Newsletter highlighting what made it into this year’s budget (and what didn’t!).

Save the Date: Run, Bike, Hike: Capital Region Trails Summit. Run, bike or hike: soon you’ll be able to get to places throughout New York in your running shoes, on two wheels, or in hiking boots. The Empire State Trail now underway will be a groundbreaking project for New York, while the Capital Region’s rapidly growing network of trails is also more than recreation, packing a serious economic stimulus. Save the date for Thursday, May 10 at the Run, Bike, Hike: Capital Region Trails Summit, at the NYS Capitol--Assembly Parlor, Room 306, 8:00 to 10:30 AM.

Panelists will include state and local leaders, and pedestrian and bike advocates highlighting walking and biking trail expansion and development across the region, including the Empire State Trail, Albany County Rail Trail and numerous on and off-road bike and pedestrian paths in between! Panelists will discuss the serious economic impact, tourism and health benefits of the present and future multi-use trails; share information on financial and regulatory barriers, and promote and coordinate the efforts underway. Coffee and check in at 8:00 AM, presentations and roundtable begins at 8:30 AM. Pre-Register here!

Assembly Passes Child Victims Act. It can take years for victims of childhood sexual abuse to be ready to file charges against their abuser, an act that can bring back the pain and trauma of the abuse. The Assembly this week passed the Child Victims Act, which would amend the criminal procedure law to extend the statute of limitations and allow criminal cases to be commenced until the victim turns age 28 for felonies and age 25 for misdemeanors. The bill would also push back the statute of limitations to permit civil actions to be brought until the victim’s 50th birthday. Additionally, the measure creates a one-year window for adult survivors to revive cases that, under current law, are barred because the statute of limitations has expired. This measure brings survivors of sexual abuse justice and I hope for its passage in the Senate.

Governor Signs Bill Removing Guns from Domestic Abusers. Governor Cuomo on Tuesday signed legislation adopted in the budget to remove guns from domestic abusers and close a loophole in state law that will ensure domestic abusers are required to surrender all firearms, not just handguns. The Governor also announced he is advancing new legislation to extend the waiting period for individuals who are not immediately approved to purchase a firearm through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System from three days to 10 days. This legislation is critical for protecting victims of domestic violence and I am proud to have voted in support of it in the Assembly.

DOT Route 157 Repair. The State Department of Transportation announced more than $100 million in state funding to repave and enhance roadways impacted by the harsh weather this past winter. Funding will support 84 projects and the renewal of nearly 1,000 lane miles of pavement across the state. Locally, $1.4 million of the funds will go to resurface Route 157 from 157A to Route 85 in Albany County.

Press Events.

View me on In Focus with Solomon Syed and Capitol Pressroom. Plastic bags continue to pollute our waterways and landfills. I am pleased to see Governor Cuomo propose legislation to ban single-use plastic bags, but concerned the policy might have unintended consequences. I joined The Capitol Pressroom’s Susan Arbetter to discuss how a plastic bag ban, coupled with a minimal fee on paper bags, will result in an outcome that benefits taxpayers, low-income consumers, retailers and the environment. I will also be appearing on In-Focus with Solomon Syed on Spectrum News this Sunday at 10:30 AM to discuss the proposals.

Community Updates & Events.

OSHA Training Event. The Albany City School District is sponsoring at free OSHA 10 Training at Pine Hills Elementary School on Saturday April 28 and next Saturday, May 5. The training will be held both days from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM. Both days are required. This training is required for construction workers and is intended to provide awareness of how to recognize and prevent safety hazards on-site. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in a construction-related field to take the required safety training for free. To pre-register contact Benjamin Marra.

Delmar Farmers’ Market Bans Plastic Bags, Celebrates a Decade in Community. The Delmar Farmers’ Market announced this week that the market will officially open for the 2018 season on May 5 for the market’s 10th season of operation. The market has always sought to promote environmental awareness, sustainability and serving as a responsible template for farmer’s markets across the state. This year is no different as the market recently announced that vendors will no longer provide plastic shopping bags for purchases by customers. Due to the costs associated with the transition, the market will provide 100 percent post-consumer, waste-recycled paper bags to customers not already bringing their own containers.

New Director of Irish Museum! The Board of Trustees of the Irish American Heritage Museum announced on Wednesday the appointment of Elizabeth Stack, Ph.D., as Museum Executive Director. In her new position, Dr. Stack is responsible for all aspects of the Museum's operations, located at 370 Broadway in Albany. Almost one-quarter of the Capital Region's population claims Irish heritage, making it the area's largest ethnic heritage group and one of the most concentrated Irish-metropolitan areas in the country. Congratulations Dr. Stack!

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, or give us a call at (518) 455-4178.

Pat