WHAT'S INSIDE:

• New Legislation Signed Into Law
• Enterprising Waters: New York's Erie Canal Special Preview
• Amtrak Update
• Friends of Recovery Rensselaer County
• Memorial Walk and Candlelight Vigil
• August is National Immunization Month

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

New Legislation Signed Into Law

Check out this Times Union article by Rick Karlin with the most recent batch of bills signed into law by Governor Cuomo.

I was very happy to see two of my bills that I worked on this legislative session on the list.

Bill A.8042, an act in relation to approving a certain agreement for a payment in lieu of taxes and bill A. 5780 which requires certain training for coroners and coroner’s deputies, were both signed into law on Monday night by Governor Cuomo.

DISTRICT NEWS

Enterprising Waters: New York's Erie Canal

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and its nonprofit affiliate the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, Inc. are proud to host a special preview of Enterprising Waters: New York's Erie Canal.

In honor of the bicentennial of the Erie Canal's construction, the State Museum is opening a major exhibition that will tell the Canal's story through objects, documents, and images from the museum's collections as well as the State Library, State Archives and institutions across the state.

All funds raised during this event will support the redevelopment of the historic Matton Shipyard that has been long dormant and in need of new direction.

The first phase of our Erie Canal exhibition, Enterprising Waters: New York's Erie Canal opens to the public Saturday, September 16.

Learn more about the event email diane_jennings@partner.nps.govor.

Amtrak Update

Take a moment to read this press release in regard to updates on Amtrak’s Infrastructure Renewal Project at Penn Station.

Construction on these tracks has continued to remain on schedule and plans to resume regular operation are still in place for September 5th.

Aging infrastructure has been an ongoing issue in New York State. I am happy that we could work with Amtrak to help adjust commuter routes so that construction time could be cut down with minimal interruption to the traveling public.

Friends of Recovery Rensselaer County

Join the Friends of Recovery of Rensselaer County this Sunday, August 27 at 4:30pm for their community meeting. Andrew McKenna, author and former federal prosecutor will share his story.

You can RSVP to the event here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJJIaVKnCKSS9knhLwd4P44Yyx-mKA-WCQLHl2yccvmUz7_w/viewform

Memorial Walk and Candlelight Vigil

NOpiates and Friends of Recovery will be hosting a Memorial Walk and Candlelight Vigil on Thursday, August 31st.

The walk will begin at the West Sand Lake Elementary School and end at the Fire House. There will also be a station open at 5pm to create a personalized sign for the walk.

For more information take a look at the groups Facebook event here.

IN THE NEWS

August is National Immunization Month – Take a moment for yourself!

Believe it or not flu vaccines are due in your local pharmacy over the next couple of weeks and the months of September and October are critical times to prepare against the flu. You might not know it but August is National Immunization Month and I wanted to take this time to get your health on your radar screen.

Legislation passed here in New York over the past few years has reduced greater barriers as New York is trying to improve its immunization rates overall for protection of public health.

All adults should be vaccinated to protect their health as well as the health of others from serious diseases. Vaccinations are particularly important for adults over the age of 60 and those who have asthma, COPD, diabetes or heart disease.

Check out my full blog post for immunizations you might want to consider after discussion with your health care professional.