Press Releases

Assemblyman Stirpe: HEAP is here to Help Keep You Warm This Winter

Central New York is known for its extreme winters and harsh conditions. With the coldest season of the year in full swing, it’s important to remember that there is help for New Yorkers who need a hand with heating their homes through the Home Energy...

Assemblyman Stirpe: CNY is Ringing in the New Year with New Opportunities

As 2017 comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on our accomplishments and refocus our efforts to help keep Central New York moving forward. We faced some challenges this year, but once again proved that Central New Yorkers come together to get...

Assemblyman Stirpe: REDC Funding Will Help Central New York Thrive

Central New York is a fantastic region to call home, with unique job opportunities, unparalleled medical facilities, exciting social and arts events, and breathtaking green spaces. This year’s Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) Awards included...

Assemblyman Stirpe: Central New Yorkers Deserve Fair Access to the Internet

In today’s world, access to the internet is vital. Every day, Central New Yorkers go online to pay bills, complete school projects, connect with family members across the world and look for employment. Unfortunately, the Federal Communications...

Assemblyman Stirpe: VIP Program Allows Sick Children to Continue Their Education

There’s nothing more heartbreaking for parents than learning that their child has a serious illness. Long-term medical treatment, which often includes countless visits to the doctor, can turn a child’s life upside down and get in the way of them being...

Assemblyman Stirpe and Senator Valesky Introduce Legislation to Help Sick Children Stay Connected to School

Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) and Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) announced they’ve introduced legislation to create the Virtual Inclusion Plan (VIP) to help fund technology that would allow children with chronic illnesses and those undergoing...

Assemblyman Stirpe: Donate Food to Help Those in Need This Holiday Season

During the holiday season, we gather with friends and family to share in joy, laughter and good food. This year, let’s make sure that we are also extending our hearts to those in the community who may need a helping hand. I’m encouraging everyone...

Assemblyman Stirpe: Let’s Honor Our Veterans for Their Selfless Sacrifices

The brave men and women who serve our country make incredible sacrifices to defend our freedoms. They experience situations that many of us can only imagine. Under the harshest of conditions, they are separated from friends and family to fight for our...

Assemblyman Stirpe: ’Tis the Season to Support Local Agritourism

It’s time to dig into a slice of pumpkin pie, enjoy some cider and break out the holiday decorations. With the holiday season quickly approaching, there’s a lot going on with feasts to prepare and gifts to give. Luckily, everything you need for the...

New Law Authored by Asm. Stirpe and Sen. Valesky Reduces Fees Imposed on Small-Scale Food Businesses

Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) and Senator David Valesky (D-Oneida) announced that a bill they authored to create two-tiered fee structure for licensing food producers has been signed into law (Ch. 400 of 2017). Until now, the license for opening a...

Assemblyman Stirpe: Stay Safe and Make Halloween a Frightfully Good Time

As we decorate our homes with pumpkins, cornstalks and cobwebs, it’s clear that fall is upon us and the spirit of Halloween is in full swing. While the holiday should be filled with treats and fun, remembering to be cautious and reminding your children...

Assemblyman Stirpe: Help combat the heroin and opioid epidemic

Addiction is a serious issue that continues to claim the lives of innocent people across the state and country. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Addiction takes a devastating toll on the body and the mind and fractures relationships with family and friends....

Assemblyman Stirpe: Experience the Beauty and Fun of Fall in Central New York

There’s so much to do here in Central New York during the fall season. We’re lucky to live in a region with amazing farms that offer activities for the whole family, such as apple and pumpkin picking, lakes for fishing and parks to hike scenic trails...

Assemblyman Stirpe: Paid family leave program begins Jan. 1

There’s nothing more important than family. We’d put our lives on hold to ensure that we’re there for our loved ones in their time of need. While this selflessness should be applauded, it has unfortunately been met with a heavy price tag for many...

Assemblyman Stirpe: Drones Improve Public Safety, Create Jobs and Boost Central New York’s Economy

Getting a bird’s-eye view of vast crop land has the potential to help farmers estimate yields, check on soil health or detect problems with irrigation. Drones can do just that. In fact, experts predict that drone technology will help farmers take such...

Assemblyman Stirpe: Back-To-School Season Means Drivers Should be Extra Cautious

The back-to-school rush is upon us and this year, I want to remind everyone that while schedules may become hectic, keeping the safety of our students in mind should be our top priority. As students hop on and off the bus or walk home, it’s more important...

Assemblyman Stirpe: Labor Day a Time to Celebrate Central New York Workers

Here in Central New York, our communities were built by the contributions of hardworking families. On Labor Day, we celebrate Central New York’s diverse workforce and its tireless efforts to move our region’s economy forward. From the service sector...

Assemblyman Stirpe: The Fight for Full Women’s Equality Continues a Century Later

The fight for women’s equality has deep roots here in Central New York. In 1848, the nation’s first women’s rights convention was held right up the road in Seneca Falls. Organized by abolitionists Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the convention...

Assemblyman Stirpe: Celebrating 200 Years of History on the Erie Canal

On April 15, 1817, the New York State Legislature voted to construct the Erie Canal, and 200 years later, it continues to serve as a vital resource for our communities. The 363-mile waterway represents an unparalleled accomplishment of early 19th-century...

Assemblyman Stirpe: We must never stop working to support victims of abuse

Each minute, nearly 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner in this country;1 an act of sexual assault occurs every 98 seconds.2 These aren’t just statistics on a page – these heinous acts are happening right here in Onondaga County....