Despite one of the soggiest springs on record, many farmers have been able to plant their crops by now. That’s good news for everyone. Agriculture is a driving force in our economy. In 2009, agricultural production returned almost $4.7 billion to...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) and Senator Patty Ritchie (R,C—Oswegatchie) today said they are disappointed that the owner of the Fulton Birds Eye plant has announced the company will close the plant in six months. “I am saddened and...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I,-Pulaski) helped pass a new pro-business program, Recharge NY, in the economic development portion of the budget. The program extends the Power for Jobs and Energy Cost Savings Benefit programs until July 1, 2012, and...

I am pleased to report that the state budget passed on time this year. It finally put the brakes on spending, and did not include any new taxes or revenue streams. In the last two years, taxes and fees increased by $10 billion. This tax-and-spend mentality...

This month is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Local agencies, as well as social workers, school district employees, law enforcement officials, daycare and health care workers, help protect and identify abused children. By law, workers in these fields are...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) issued the following statement today after the budget passed when session continued late into the night: “I’m pleased the budget was enacted—on time and without new taxes. By no means was this an ideal...

The Census 2010 data was released Thursday and the news is surprising. Many places in Upstate and Central New York have gained population. According to the data, immigration is up in our region. Certain pockets within suburban areas have gained residents...

This past week in Albany proved to be eventful, once again. There was a good deal of progress made on budget negotiations. For the first time in two years, joint conference committee meetings were held. These committees enable lawmakers from both sides...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) has been appointed to serve on the Higher Education Joint Conference Committee as the Legislature undergoes meetings to negotiate the budget. This is the first time in two years Joint Conference Committee meetings...

I recently signed onto legislation that, if passed, would require those applying for public assistance to undergo a drug test. This is a small request to make of any applicant seeking public assistance. If the applicant tests positive for drug use,...

Anyone who receives a paycheck noticed a positive difference in their take-home pay beginning last month. That’s because the federal government instituted a 2% Social Security tax cut, which is based on income. Though 2% doesn’t sound like a lot,...

We all know that saying: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Whether we’re considering our personal health or the overall community’s health, this is sage advice. Economically, preventative medicine makes sense, and can save us billions...

New York Agriculture in the Classroom will sponsor Ag Literacy Week March 21-25. Second-grade classrooms are encouraged to participate. Ag Literacy Week provides an opportunity for someone from the local ag community to visit an elementary school...

Things are in full swing in Albany. Last week, the Governor submitted his budget to the State Legislature. Not surprisingly, this budget proposes substantial cuts to government programs. It proposes to decrease spending by $3.7 billion, for a $132.9...

“I agree: Real change is tough but this current level of spending is unsustainable. We spend more than we make, which is why taxes and fees in the last two years increased by $10 billion. If we continue with our current budget policies and law, the...

More than 26 million American adults have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and millions more are at risk and do not know it. Diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to CKD. Chronic kidney disease means that the kidneys have been damaged. If kidney...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) said today he is glad that at least one house in the State Legislature has enough sense to institute a property tax cap. With the Governor’s bill on today’s Senate agenda, the house has made property tax...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) said today he will be on hand to discuss state government at eight different locations throughout the Assembly District during the month of February. “People are concerned about how the state is handling a...

A team has been formed to find ways to reduce the costs and increase the quality in the Medicaid program for the upcoming 2011-12 fiscal year. The Governor’s office recently announced this redesign team in conjunction with plans to reform our state...

We all know that New York State has high taxes. Unfortunately, since the recession hit, those taxes only increased, as the state leaders scurried for ways to pay for expenses, rather than trim spending. Subsequently, in the last two years, we’ve arrived...