On your mark, get set, READ! This is the theme this year for the New York State 2016 Summer Reading Challenge. Each year, I sponsor a summer reading challenge for children of all ages. Kids are challenged to read or be read to for just 15 minutes a...

Last week New York State extended to all veterans who are members of the New York State retirement system the ability to purchase military service credit. I am honored to have been one of the many members in the State Legislature who sponsored and supported...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I--Pulaski) announced today that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed the extension of the Military Service Credit Law (A.9531/S.7160) into law last night, which would provide all military veterans enrolled in the public retirement...

New statistics from the State Department of Health show heroin and opioid-related deaths have increased 47% in New York over a five-year period, from 2010-2014. These increases are evident in Central New York. Tragically, in comparison to 10 years ago,...

In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem, “Defense of Fort McHenry.” The poem was later put to song and retitled “The Star Spangled Banner.” Our anthem is proudly played often at sporting events, community gatherings, and at schools throughout...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I--Pulaski) recently presented WWII Veteran Laurence "Sparky" Rector with an Assembly Resolution on May 14. Mr. Rector’s story was recorded and filed with the Library of Congress after Joe Messineo, a volunteer with the...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I--Pulaski) and Assemblyman Bob Oaks (R,C—Macedon) recently congratulated Oswego County Opportunities on celebrating its 50th year anniversary at the organization’s annual meeting. From left are President of the Board...

In November of 2009, Helen Buchel and her daughter, Brittany Passalacqua, a 12-year-old girl, were brutally murdered in Geneva, New York. Helen and Brittany were killed by John Edward Brown, a violent felon whose criminal history included a conviction...

Our state government provides millions of dollars in funding for various agencies and infrastructure. However, it's often the smaller investments in local programs and individuals that people notice and appreciate. Grants of less than $5,000, for example,...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I--Pulaski) recently met with leaders from ARISE, a community-based organization that works to help those with disabilities and their families navigate services and promote independent living. From left are Sabine Ingerson,...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) will host two coffee hour town hall meetings on Saturday, May 14. One will take place at the Volney Town Hall at 8:00 a.m., located at 1445 County Route 6, Fulton, NY 13069; and the other will be at the Mexico...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I--Pulaski) recently toured the Oswego YMCA. From left are Executive Director of Oswego YMCA Kerri Webb, Barclay, and Vice President of the YMCA Board Ed Mervine.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In recent weeks, pinwheels have been placed in lawns around the state that are meant to serve as a reminder that child abuse is real and that more can be done to protect children. According to child protective services...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) received the Sportsman Advocate of the Year Award from the Oswego County Sportsmen Federation on Saturday, April 16. The federation represents more than 20 sportsmen’s organizations throughout the county and...

New York is one of the most populous states in the nation, yet we continue to have one of the lowest rates of registered organ donors. April is Donate Life Month—a time to raise awareness about the importance of becoming a registered organ donor. ...

More people are visiting state parks. State park attendance increased 5% from 2014 to 2015 bringing the estimated number of visits to 65.3 million in 2015. The state has invested in our parks for the past three years to improve everything from, entrances,...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) along with Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R,I—Peru) recently honored two New York State Troopers, Sgt. Jay D. Cook and Maj. Charles E. Guess, with two Assembly Resolutions (K1092 and K1093) commending their courage,...

The lack of transparency in this budget process was nearly incomparable. Bills were brought to lawmakers just hours before we were required to vote. Compromises made behind closed doors with three men in a room surrounding the proposed $15-an-hour minimum...

March is Women’s History Month and many of the early crusaders who fought for the right to vote lived in Upstate New York. Men and women helped this cause but three Upstate women in particular—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and Matilda...

Editor’s Note: Today the Assembly passed legislation to legalize Mixed Martial Arts. New York State is the only remaining State in the nation that prohibits professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competitions (Currently, only amateur MMA is allowed)....