Friend –

Below are a few updates as we approach the busy holiday season. Wishing you all the best of the season and peace in the New Year!

Capitol Reception. Please join myself, Assemblymember John McDonald, and Senator Neil Breslin for a Holiday Thank You Reception on Thursday, December 27^th, from 10:00a.m. – 11:30a.m. in the Assembly Parlor, 3^rd Floor of the Capitol Building. I hope to see you all there!

Capital Region Receives $67 Million REDC Award. The Capital Region will receive $67 million from the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) in the upcoming year, spread across 95 projects throughout the area. These include improvements and upgrades for several wonderful venues around the Capital District. Recipients of these funds include the following venues:

- Times Union Center
- Albany Symphony
- Hudson River Waterfront
- Palace Theater
- Albany Medical College

Find the full list of awardees/projects in our area listed here.

Legislative Commission Appointment. Speaker Heastie announced the new Assembly leadership and committee assignments, and I am grateful to be named Chair of the Legislative Commission on Science & Technology. I’m looking forward to advancing science and technology initiatives to foster economic growth and confront climate change.

Albany Schools Seek Change to Transportation Formula. Important article from the Times Union on how high need public schools struggle to pay for transportation - broadening the school safety zone definition would help. Currently, school districts cover the full cost of transportation for students living more 1.5 miles from school. This often results in students having to traverse dangerous, high traffic roads, or heavily industrialized areas - all while dealing with the potential of inclement weather. Modifying how state-aid for school transportation is calculated - accounting for hazards in health, transit, and crime - would help districts like Albany receive more transportation aid. More importantly, it will help ensure the safety our students on their commutes to school.

Justice Department Bans Bump Stocks. I was encouraged to hear that the Department of Justice has taken steps to ban the use or possession of bump stocks, (https://www.npr.org/2018/12/18/677788059/justice-department-bans-bump-stocks-devices-used-in-deadly-las-vegas-shooting) in addition to reclassifying those weapons with such accessories attached as ‘machine guns’. I carry legislation in the Assembly to ban these deadly accessories outright. While I welcome this action, it remains important we codify a ban into state law while we await formal action in Congress.

New Study Blasts GE For River Clean-Up. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation released a new report this week on General Electric’s failure to adequately clean-up the Hudson River. The report notes high levels of PCBs in the Upper Hudson River and concludes that G.E.’s efforts amount only to a ‘partial cleanup’. I’m optimistic now that a concrete plan for clean-up may be put in place.

Governor Directs $1.5 Million to Farm-Table Projects. On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo announced that Farm to Table programs serving students’ lunch as part of the “No Student Goes Hungry” initiative, will receive $1.5 million in new funds to support their efforts in the upcoming year. Capital Roots, Inc. was among the awardees – receiving $97,000+ in funds. 

Grants Available for Home Repair/Purchase. The Department of Homes and Community Renewal (DHCR) will allow homeowners in the City of Albany to apply for grants that could help cover the costs of home repair and purchasing. Applicants have until January 14^th to submit their applications to DHCR. Find them here.

Community Updates

Fraud Prevention Workshop At West Hill/Arbor Hill Literacy Zone. Capital Region BOCES and the SEFCU Financial Literacy Team will come together on Wednesday, January 16 to present a fraud prevention workshop at the newly opened West Hill / Arbor Hill Literacy Zone (388 Clinton Avenue). The event begins at 5:20 PM and is open to all community members. RSVPs are not required but encouraged so that educators will have enough materials for all that attend. All questions and RSVPs can be directed to Cody at 518-694-4567.

Albany Public Library - Howe Branch Guitar Lessons. The Howe Branch of the Albany Public Library will be hosting guitar lessons for beginning or intermediate students starting on January 8^th, running for 8 weeks in blocks of 30 minute sessions every Tuesday after the 8^th. This is a great opportunity to get involved with the arts while learning to play an instrument! Call the Howe Branch of the Albany Public Library at (518) 472-9485 to sign up today! 

Bicyclists Bring Business. Earlier this fall I attended events with other elected officials and community members to discuss how the Capital Region can become more ‘bike-friendly’ and develop our outdoor recreation areas and trails to encourage greater use of them. New York Parks & Trails has released the Final Report for the events I attended in Waterford and Cohoes, which captures how the Capital Region can truly become more bike-friendly, improve biker and pedestrian safety, and encourage use of its green spaces and outdoor recreation. This is important to ensure that Albany has both a sustainable and green future ahead, whilst promoting public health. You can find the full report here. 

One Button Studio Coming Soon to Bethlehem Public Library. The Bethlehem Public Library will soon have a newly redesigned Makerspace that is more user-friendly for library visitors. The One Button Studio will debut in this space, and is a one-stop and one-button video recording service that students and visitors can use to make educational videos, practice for interviews, or complete school projects – read more about the software here. Software and equipment for video editing and podcasting will also be available in the space to assist in these endeavors. Stop by the Bethlehem Public Library at 451 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, and check it out!

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.