Press Releases

O’Donnell Statement Denouncing Exemption of Charter Schools from Anti-Bullying Regulations

In a letter to Deputy Commissioner of P-12 Education Ken Slentz on Monday, Assembly Member O’Donnell denounced the proposed education regulations that explicitly exclude charter schools from new anti-bullying measures being implemented across New York...

NY Legislature Passes O’Donnell’s Marriage Equality Act

Today, the New York State Senate finally approved the Marriage Equality Act, legislation that will establish marriage rights for same-sex couples in New York State and extend the associated rights, responsibilities, and protections of marriage to those...

New York State Assembly Passes O’Donnell Marriage Equality Act for Fourth Time

Today, Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell led the Marriage Equality Act to passage in the New York State Assembly for the fourth time since 2007. The bill, A.8354, was submitted by Governor Andrew Cuomo and will enshrine in New York State law the ability...

O’Donnell Statement Commending President Obama’s Decision to No Longer Defend ‘Defense of Marriage Act

Today, in response to news that President Obama has instructed the federal government to no longer defend Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell stated: The decision to stop defending this egregious, unconstitutional...

O’Donnell Statement Condemning Columbia University Decision to Break Long-Standing Community Agreement

Assembly Member O’Donnell has learned that Columbia University has reaffirmed its plans to install a university academic center in empty space at the School of Social Work, despite a long-standing agreement with the community that the location would...

O’Donnell Statement Urging Rejection of Success Academy Charter Application

October 19, 2010 – Today, in a letter to the Executive Director of the SUNY Charter Schools Institute, Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell strongly condemned a new charter school application and called for its immediate rejection. The application, submitted...

O’Donnell Statement Calling for Moratorium on Hydrofracking

October 4, 2010 – In a letter to Governor Paterson on October 1st, Assembly Member O’Donnell reiterated his call for a moratorium on the drilling practice of hydraulic fracturing or “hydrofracking.” The letter was in response to recent news that...

O’Donnell Statement Calling for Inclusion of LGBT Rights in Comprehensive Immigration Reform

October 1, 2010 – Today, in a letter to Senator Chuck Schumer, Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell urged the Senator to ensure that protections for the rights of lesbian and gay families are included in future comprehensive immigration reform.Twenty-seven...

O’Donnell Statement on His Anti-Bullying Legislation Becoming Law

September 8, 2010 – Assembly Member O’Donnell is proud to announce that today Governor Paterson signed the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) into law. The bill’s enactment is a major victory for the LGBT community and is one of the first New...

O’Donnell Statement on His Bill Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence from Eviction Becoming Law

September 3, 2010 – Assembly Member O’Donnell is pleased to announce that Governor Paterson has signed Assembly Bill A2365-A into law. In the past, landlords have successfully used the primary residence requirements under rent control and rent stabilization...

O’Donnell Statement on His Loitering Bill Becoming Law

August 3, 2010 – Assembly Member O’Donnell is pleased to announce that Governor Paterson has signed Assembly Bill A5537 into law.The bill repeals numerous unconstitutional statutes regarding loitering and protects New York City from immense fines...

O’Donnell Statement Condemning Placement of Traditional Public School Kids in Basement of Overcrowded Building

July 26, 2010 – Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell sent a letter to Mayor Bloomberg condemning a New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) decision to move P.S. 241 Family Academy classrooms into the basement of their overcrowded school building.O’Donnell...

O’Donnell Hosts Manhattan Valley Visioning Event

On March 6th, nearly 140 participants attended Assembly Member O’Donnell’s Manhattan Valley Visioning event, including representatives of small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, block and tenant associations, and individual community activists....

O’Donnell Addresses AIDS Advocacy Day, Announces Strong Support for HIV Testing Reform

Today, Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell addressed a statewide gathering of persons living with HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS service organizations. During his remarks, O’Donnell stressed that HIV testing reform proposals must ultimately ensure that infected...

O’Donnell Kicks Off His 6th Annual Reading Challenge

Assembly Member O’Donnell’s reading program, co-sponsored with the New York Public Library, is now underway and will continue through May 15th. Last year, hundreds of pre-K through 8th graders participated in this popular community event. Materials...

O’Donnell Statement on Lighting the Stop Work Order

Today Assembly Member O’Donnell decried the decision by the Department of Buildings to lift the Stop Work Order for the Kodiak crane at 808 Columbus Avenue and urged Mayor Bloomberg to overturn the decision and order the crane dismantled. The Stop...

O’Donnell Appointed to Education Committee

Today Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell (D-Manhattan) has been appointed to the Standing Committee on Education. “I am honored to have been selected to serve my community and the Assembly in this capacity,” said Assemblymember O’Donnell. “I look...

New York State Assembly Passes O'Donnell Marriage Equality Act

Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell was the prime sponsor of legislation that passed in the Assembly today that will allow New York State to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.Introduced in the Assembly on May 21, 2007, the Marriage Equality Act...

O’Donnell Statement on His Sponsorship of Same-Sex Marriage Bill

May 1, 2007 – O’Donnell Statement: It gives me great pleasure to be the sponsor of the Governor’s same-sex marriage bill in the Assembly. Not only is this a professional victory but also a personal one. As one of the plaintiffs in the same-sex marriage...

O’Donnell to Head Subcommittee

New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver appointed Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell on May 11, 2005 to head the Codes Committee’s recently formed Sub Committee for Criminal Procedure. The Codes Committee oversees all legislative matters that...