Press Releases

Assemblyman Jones: Expanding Broadband to ‘Last Mile’ Areas is Critical for North Country Communities

“The COVID-19 pandemic has made it painfully clear that access to high-speed is not a luxury in 2021. Residents rely on these services for telework, remote learning, searching for jobs and so much more, and it’s critical that we finally address the...

Assemblyman Jones: State Guidance for Child Care and Summer Camps are Misguided

The recent New York State guidelines for child care programs and summer camps have put an undue burden on child care providers without even consulting them. Since the beginning of the pandemic, children 2 and over in child care settings were not required...

Assemblyman Jones, North Country Chamber of Commerce Hold Joint Press Conference on the Impact of the Border Closure and Solutions to Safely Reopen

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D- Chateaugay Lake) joined local business leaders and families impacted by the United States-Canada for a press conference at the North Country Chamber of Commerce to call on the federal government and New York State to start...

Assemblyman Billy Jones Visits Small Businesses and Economic Development Projects in Tupper Lake

On Friday May 7, Assemblyman Billy Jones (D- Chateaugay Lake) visited Tupper Lake to get an update of the new economic developments happening in the village since his last visit. Mayor Paul Maroun scheduled a tour for the assemblyman to see the newly...

Assemblyman Jones Praises Selection of Rouses Point for New Datacenter

“I’m excited to hear that 2CRSi, a manufacturer of high-performance, energy-efficient computer servers, has selected Rouses Point in Clinton County as the location for their U.S. campus and a green datacenter. The tech campus will provide customers...

Assemblyman Jones Attends Rally to Call on State to Spend Opioid Settlement Money on Substance Use Programs

This past February, New York along with 46 other states, Washington, D.C. and five U.S. territories were awarded a $573 million settlement after the federal government and states sued OxyContin producer Purdue Pharma for personal and societal costs that...

Assemblyman Jones: Extending Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium Will Only Cause Further Financial Distress

“This past year has been incredibly difficult for all of us. Many families lost their source of income and small businesses struggled to stay afloat. Since the start of the pandemic, I’ve been committed to helping our communities forge a path forward,...

Assemblyman Jones Votes to Rescind Outdated Executive Orders

“At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, extensive restrictions were put in place for New York residents and businesses to keep our communities safe in the face of a novel public health threat. More than a year later, we are well into the process of...

Assemblyman Jones: Important Funding for Education Included in This Year’s Budget

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that important funding for education was included in the New York State 2021-2022 budget he helped pass. Statewide, the budget includes a $3.1 billion increase overall in education funding as well...

Assemblyman Jones: U.S., Canadian Officials Must Continue Working to Safely Lift Border Restrictions

“The announcement earlier today that the U.S.-Canada border will remain closed through at least May 21 is truly frustrating as there continues to be no staged plan from the federal governments. This continues to have a significant impact on our regional...

Assemblyman Jones Boosts Infrastructure Funding for North Country in State Budget

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that the 2021-22 state budget includes critical funding to improve the North Country’s roads and bridges. “Improving our infrastructure impacts everyone in the North Country. Our residents rely...

Assemblyman Jones: WAC Lighting Acquisition Protects North Country Jobs, Ensures Operations Aren’t Interrupted

“Earlier today, Swarovski Lighting, Ltd. announced an agreement to transfer the Schonbek brand of luxury crystal lighting to WAC Lighting, a Port Washington-based company. I want to congratulate both of these companies on a successful sale and am pleased...

Assemblyman Jones Secures Funding for Adirondack Visitor Interpretive Centers

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that the 2021-2022 state budget includes funding for the Visitor Interpretive Centers (VICs) at Paul Smith College and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). Jones advocated for...

Assemblyman Jones Secures Major Funding for Veterans in 2021-22 budget

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that he helped pass the 2021-22 state budget, which includes funding that he secured for the North Country Veterans Association (NCVA) and other essential programs and services for local veterans. “Despite...

Assemblyman Jones Secures Funding for OATS in 2021-22 Budget to Help Older New Yorkers Stay Connected

“Over the last six years, OATS has significantly impacted the lives of North Country seniors and helped many of our neighbors access the internet and improve their computer skills,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake). “That is why...

Assemblyman Jones: 2021-22 State Budget Supports Struggling Farmers

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that the 2021-22 state budget includes major victories for the state’s agricultural industry, which was $8 million over the Executive’s original proposal for a total appropriation of over $35 million....

Assemblyman Jones Secures $275,000 for North Country Chamber of Commerce in State Budget

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) announced that he helped secure $275,000 to support the North Country Chamber of Commerce in the 2021-22 state budget. “The North Country Chamber of Commerce is a critical resource not only for our local communities,...

Assemblyman Jones 2021-22 State Budget

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that he helped secure several measures that will be included in the approved 2021-22 state budget to support North Country families and businesses impacted by COVID-19. Jones also will vote against...

Assemblyman Billy Jones Statement Regarding the Excluded Workers Proposal

“The Excluded Workers Fund that has been proposed during budget negotiations is an ill-advised proposal and I am vehemently opposed to it. This program, which seeks to provide assistance to people who have been left out of traditional benefits is ineffective...

Legislation to Address Nursing Home Visitation Policies Signed into Law

Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that legislation he co-sponsored to help reunite families separated during the ongoing pandemic by expanding nursing home visitation rights has been signed into law (Ch. 89 of 2021). This law will...