Press Releases

Friend Rejects Bill Which Could Open State to Increased Voter Fraud

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) rejected legislation to automatically register voters as they apply for various state services. The assemblyman expressed deep concerns that the legislation could open the state to increased voter fraud....

Friend Calls to Reinstate Public Safety Laws to Protect Victims and Restore Order in State

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) joined his Assembly Minority colleagues and criminal justice officials to call for the reversal of recent pro-criminal laws which have threatened public safety throughout the state. The officials have...

Area Lawmakers, Education Leaders Call on State To Release School Reopening Guidelines

U.S. Representative Tom Reed (R-NY), Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assembly Members Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats), Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia) and Joseph Giglio (R,C,I-Gowanda) today joined regional education...

Friend: Time for Gyms, Malls, and Theaters to Open

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the governor to fully reopen businesses, now. According to federal guidelines, gyms, malls and theaters would have been able to open as early as Phase One, should the metrics warrant it....

O'Mara, Palmesano and Friend Urge Governor to Rescind Proposed Cut to Funding for Persons With Disabilities

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) today called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to rescind a proposed $238 million cut to the state Office of Persons with...

Friend: Time for Gyms, Malls, And Theaters to Open

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the governor to fully reopen businesses, now. According to federal guidelines, gyms, malls and theaters would have been able to open as early as Phase One, should the metrics warrant it....

Southern Tier's State Lawmakers Urge Cuomo to Let Local Leaders Decide on In-Person Graduations

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) continued today to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo to let the Southern Tier’s local officials make the decision...

Regional State Lawmakers Welcome NY's Go-Ahead On Local Road and Bridge Work

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) today welcomed the announcement earlier this week that the Cuomo administration is giving counties across the region...

Friend: A Man Dies Because Criminal with a Deep Rap Sheet Released Due to Bail Reform

“The so-called bail reforms implemented this year have been abysmal for public safety, leading to the worse outcome – the loss of life. Tyquan Rivera, a man who shot a police officer and was most recently incarcerated for pushing fentanyl, was...

Friend Calling on Governor to Release Downtown Revitalization Funds to Pay for Promised Owego Main Street Rehabilitation Project

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the governor to release the promised funds for the Owego Main Street Rehabilitation project. The funding has been tied up waiting for approval from the Division of Budget to request it...

Friend: Governor Has to Stop Making Upstate Regions Jump through New Hoops to Reopen

“The governor just keeps moving the goal post on our state in opening back up. The recent revelation that he intends to require the data of each region to be reviewed by a panel of international experts before it can be approved for Phase 2 is stunning...

Friend, O'Mara, Palmesano Call on Cuomo Administration to Release Funding for Local Road and Bridge Work

Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats), State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) are calling on the Cuomo administration to give counties across the region the go-ahead to start this summer’s...

Friend Applauds Owego Native Doug Hurley on NASA/SpaceX Launch

“The space industry has led to many advancements in everyday life. I am proud to have a Southern Tier native onboard this historic flight and joint effort between NASA and SpaceX. Doug Hurley is a source of pride for our community and an inspiration...

Friend Introduces Legislation Aimed at Increasing Local Authority in Emergencies by Limiting Governor's Expanded Powers

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and his Assembly Minority Colleagues introduced legislation which would provide checks and balances on the governor’s executive powers during emergency declarations exceeding 45 days. This would...

Friend Calling for Solutions For All Regions of NY in Covid-19 Recovery

“This week, Majority legislative leaders are putting forward a few dozen COVID-19-related bills which are heavily focused on the needs of New York City while largely ignoring items that will help upstate New Yorkers. We, too, have been in the midst...

Friend: Nursing Homes Need Help to Meet Governor's Testing Requirements

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) has been in communication with area nursing homes over the new requirements set forth by Gov. Cuomo for expanded testing of residents and twice-a-week testing of staff. These long-term care facilities...

Friend Calling for Fed and State Government to Invest in Broadband Expansion for Its Critical Role in Daily Life Due to Coronavirus

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) wrote letters with his Assembly Minority colleagues to the president, New York’s congressional delegation, the governor and other state leaders urging them to prioritize broadband expansion as part...

Friend Signs Letter with 160 State Legislators Nationwide To Reopen Economy

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats), with 160 state legislators nationwide, signed a letter to President Trump and their respective state leaders calling for the reopening of the U.S. economy. About 33.5 million American workers have filed...

Friend Asking for Relief for Firefighters and EMS Fighting Covid-19

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats), along with his Assembly Minority colleagues, signed a letter to the president and the New York State congressional delegation asking them to include volunteer firefighters and emergency medical service...

Friend: Glad for Consensus on Regional Reopening Approach, But Definite Details Needed

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) appreciates the governor is in agreement with the Assembly Minority Conference about a regional reopening approach, after announcing a similar plan on Monday. The conference released its proposal, NYS...