Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) and his colleagues began using tablets at their desks on Earth Day, April 22, as part of an initiative to save the state millions of dollars and protect the environment.

The tablets were initiated as part of a constitutional amendment supported by Assemblyman Santabarbara and approved by voters in a statewide referendum last year. The change allows state legislators to review bills and resolutions at their desk electronically, instead of with paper copies.

“I supported this common sense change because it will save the state millions of dollars each year and drastically reduce our use of paper at the Capitol. I’m proud that on Earth Day, we were able to take a substantial and immediate step toward protecting our environment,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “In the Assembly we are committed to embracing 21st Century technology that will allow us to more efficiently and effectively serve the people of New York and using tablets is an important part of movement.”

Prior to the adoption of the tablets, the Assembly annually printed close to 10,000 bills and resolutions, with a copy of each distributed to the 150 members in the chamber. Conservative estimates believe the tablets will prevent the Assembly from printing more than 3 million pieces of paper.