The impact of the U.S. Supreme Court decision Olmstead v. L.C. continues to generate concerns from family members, caregivers, community organizations and individuals with developmental disabilities throughout the transition process into more integrated...

“The resolution before the Assembly yesterday was almost a year in the making, but it didn’t include a majority of the Assembly Majority’s own recommendations. I am thankful the Assembly has taken two of the Minority’s recommendations to publish...

“The resolution before the Assembly yesterday was almost a year in the making, but it didn’t include a majority of the Assembly Majority’s own recommendations. I am thankful the Assembly has taken two of the Minority’s recommendations to publish...

Albany, N.Y. —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) will join local New York Farm Bureau representatives from across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes...

“What we saw today was how New York City does business every day. Instead of cutting spending we watched New York City liberals call for an increase of $5.6 billion in taxes. We watched them call for free college for illegal immigrants. We watched...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) urged his colleagues this morning to pass a new bill designed to increase transparency in the budgeting process. The new bill focuses on lump sum pots throughout the budget which hold roughly $2.4 billion,...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling for increased transparency and the infrastructure needed to provide the people of New York with clean drinking water. With issues in Hoosick Falls, Ithaca city schools, Binghamton city schools,...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is pointing to a recent string of layoffs at SolarCity as a sign the business, largely propped up by Gov. Cuomo’s Buffalo Billion, is already failing. Several of the Buffalo Billion contracts have...

“The governor’s proposal regarding Medicaid reform at the local level simply does not go far enough to alleviate the strain felt by our counties. The state currently has all the funds it needs to assume the entire cost of Medicaid. To continue to...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) took part in a press conference alongside his Assembly Minority colleagues stressing the necessity for ethics reform in the legislature. The conference proposed 17 measures, including term limits for...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) today joined his Assembly Minority colleagues to announce their new education reform initiative, The Next Step. “What we’re doing today is revamping our education platform to tackle the issues...

As we begin a new legislative session, one that will assuredly be incredibly busy and cover a variety of statewide matters, I wanted to share what I’m hoping to accomplish this year. As Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Local Government,...

Following the conviction in federal court by another disgraced former legislative leader, it has never been more apparent that ethics reform must be a top priority for Albany this year. No longer can our government operate under the lingering cloud of...

“The Upstate Revitalization Initiative (URI) will not solve the larger issues of the Southern Tier community. It won't pave roads or rebuild bridges. Those issues don't get the red carpet glitz and glamour that the Upstate ‘Hunger Games’ commands....

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) slammed the Cuomo Administration’s desire to close the Indian Point Nuclear Facility as irresponsible because the plan lacks a replacement for that power source. “Our state pays some of the...

Following the terrorist attacks in Paris, France, Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on New York’s Congressional Delegation and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to reject the placement of Syrian refugees in the state. At least nine states...

The report that Gov. Cuomo has yet to sign the Women’s Equality Agenda bills that were passed overwhelmingly by the Assembly and Senate because he’s waiting for “the best and most appropriate time to sign them” is deeply disturbing. These bills...

Elmira, N.Y., September 16 - State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) today reminded area residents that September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) has consistently pointed to New York’s out-of-control taxation policies as a driving force behind the lack of new investment in the Southern Tier. A recent study performed by the Tax Foundation and...

“The decision rendered by Gov. Cuomo’s minimum wage board was as predictable as it will be damaging. The governor failed to get what he wanted passed through the Legislature so he invented a panel to bypass us. Much like his decision on hydrofracking,...