“In recent years, New York State has experienced a frightening increase in opioid use in both its street and prescription forms. Heroin, in particular, is emerging as a public health concern in every community. Recent legislative laws such as I-STOP...

“Monterey Shock is the prime example of what correction facilities are supposed to be. It has a greater than 80 percent graduation rate and only a seven percent recidivism rate. The inmates are provided with an opportunity for drug counseling; a high...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the Assembly Majority to stop playing politics with the Women's Equality Agenda. The Senate is supporting New York women by voting on the merits of each point individually, and currently,...

New York politics is famous for public corruption, and this isn’t something to be proud of. With another legislative session about to end, there have been few attempts to fix the rampant corruption in the state. Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend...

Elmira, N.Y., April 9—As the nation observes National Volunteer Week this week, State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) said today that they are continuing...

Albany, N.Y., March 31—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R-Big Flats) today criticized Governor Andrew Cuomo for refusing to renegotiate his administration’s plan to...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) said today that while he is pleased to see the governor and legislature come to an agreement and pass the 2014-15 State Budget, the secretive, closed-door meetings and lack of relief for upstate taxpayers...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) will hold local office hours on the second Wednesday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Waverly Village Hall, 32 Ithaca Street. Friend’s staff will be available to discuss any state-related...

Elmira, N.Y., February 18— State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Chris Friend (R-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today rejected Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan to provide a free college education to state prisoners...

Assemblymen Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) will join education leaders at a forum on Thursday, December 5, 2013 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Corning East High School Cafeteria in Corning. Participants will include...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) will hold a town hall meeting at the Waverly Village Hall on Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend and discuss their concerns with the assemblyman. “I hope that local...

Elmira, N.Y., September 5—In late July the administration of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled a plan to shut down the Monterey Shock Incarceration Correctional Facility in Schuyler County next year, and now State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big...

Elmira, N.Y., August 15—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) are sending an alert to local public libraries and public library systems of a construction...

Assemblymen Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) are joining an effort launched by State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) to save the Elmira Psychiatric Center (EPC). Last week, the Office of Mental Health (OMH)...

Assemblymen Christopher Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) have joined with the entirety of the Assembly Minority Conference to combat Albany’s rampant corruption through the newly introduced Assembly bill 7393, also known as...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) today voiced his disappointment with the passage of the so-called Fair Elections Act, a plan to mandate publicly-funded election campaigns at taxpayer expense, a new added tax burden for everyone in...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R, C, I -Big Flats) acknowledged that, although the Assembly Majority budget proposal contains some improvements over the Governor’s original draft, more work and negotiations are needed before an acceptable budget...

After yesterday’s prolonged debate on gun control legislation, Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R-Big Flats) expressed frustration at the return to Albany’s rushed backroom, late night deals and a lack of transparency in the way the legislature...

In response to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address, Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) today highlighted New York’s need to reduce taxes on the middle class and pass real county and school unfunded mandate relief during...