Press Releases

Barrett’s Bill to Support Senior Farmers Delivered to Cuomo

Continuing her efforts to help strengthen agriculture and better support senior farmers, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D – Columbia, Dutchess) announced that a bill she authored to support senior farmers was delivered to Governor Cuomo’s desk this...

Assemblymember Barrett: Public Service Commission Needs to Address Local Concerns Before Building New Power Lines

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that she sent a letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC), urging the PSC to consider the outpouring of local feedback as they continue to move ahead on the energy highway proposed for the region. Barrett...

Landmark Lyme Disease Legislation Passes Assembly and Senate

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that legislation she authored, which would allow physicians to prescribe treatment on an individual basis to their patients with symptoms of chronic Lyme disease, including but not limited to the administration...

State Makes Critical Investment in Special Education

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that the state will increase reimbursement rates to special education providers by 3.8%. This critical funding will benefit 853 Schools and Special Act School Districts – many of which are located in...

Assemblymember Barrett to Host Third Public Energy Forum

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that in response to concerns from Hudson Valley residents about rising energy rates, a new capacity zone, and the energy highway she will host the third in a series of public energy meetings in the Town...

Legislation to Improve the Care of Lyme Disease Patients Passes Assembly

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that legislation she authored that authorizes physicians to prescribe long-term antibiotic therapy to a patient with symptoms of chronic Lyme disease has passed the Assembly (A.7558-A). The legislation...

Assemblymember Barrett and Senator Gipson Pass Legislation to Make Wappinger Creek Eligible for Federal Funds

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) and Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) announced that legislation they authored to define Wappinger Creek as an inland waterway has passed the Assembly and the Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature...

Capacity Zone Update: Revised Proposal Still Includes Rate Increases

“I continue to oppose the implementation of a new capacity zone in the Hudson Valley. The news today that the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has revised its original proposal is not enough; it still includes a definite rate increase. Whether...

Assemblymember Barrett Urges FERC to Enact a Stay of Order

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced she has written another letter to Cheryl LeFleur, the Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, urging the commission to enact a stay of the order to put in place new capacity zones....

Join Assemblymember Barrett for an Energy Efficiency Forum

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that she is partnering with the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund for a Preparing for the Hudson Valley’s Energy Future forum. The forum will provide information about increasing energy...

April 8, 2014 Proclaimed as Equal Pay Day

Assemblymember Barrett Secures Over $160 Million for Area Schools

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that the final 2014-15 state budget includes over $160 million in funding for Columbia and Dutchess County school districts in her Assembly district. “Investing in education is investing in our future,”...

Final Budget Proves Beneficial to Farmers

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that the 2014-15 state budget includes almost $3 million for vital agricultural programs across the Hudson Valley. In addition to this funding, the budget also includes reforms to the 18-a surcharge and...

Assemblymember Barrett Secures Funding to Repeal Dutchess County Energy Tax

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that the state budget will include funding to provide relief to its local government and taxpayers. Beginning on March 1, 2014, the county imposed a 3.75 percent sales tax on all residential electric bills....

Popular Vote Should Determine Presidential Elections

“Our democracy was built on the ideal of equality and one person, one vote. Our Founding Fathers, the architects of our Republic, drafted the most profound document in our Constitution; but it was not perfect and times have changed. Sometimes it takes...

Legislation to Help Increase Business Opportunities for Disabled Veterans Passes Assembly

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced legislation she sponsored passed the Assembly. The Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act (A.9135) will set a 6 percent participation goal in the awarding of state contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned...

March 25, 2014 Recognized as National Agriculture Day

Photo as described in caption
Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that a resolution she authored to name Tuesday, March 25, 2014, as National Agriculture Day has passed the Assembly (K.939). “As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I understand the significant...

Assemblymember Barrett Urges Postponement of Energy Capacity Zone Expansion

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced she has written a letter to Cheryl Lefleur, the Acting Commissioner of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, urging the commission to indefinitely postpone any potential capacity zone expansion in New...

Barrett Bill to Save Local Farmers Money Passes Assembly

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson), who is a member of the Agriculture Committee, announced that legislation she authored to help small and medium-sized farm operations in the Mid-Hudson Valley and Capital Region has passed the Assembly. Specifically,...

Assembly Budget Provides Tax Relief and Education Investments

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) has announced the 2014-15 Assembly budget proposal provides much needed tax relief and investments in education. The proposal includes $1.1 billion in additional education aid and $2.3 billion in tax relief. The...