This week marked the beginning of Passover and the start of Holy Week - a time of remembrance and time shared with family and loved ones. We have sent you a few highlights of what was included in the budget (see my clip from the day we passed the budget)...

The New York State Legislature approved the 2014-2015 state budget late Monday, the fourth on-time budget in a row to start the new fiscal year. Again, the budget is a series of compromises and serious trade-offs, where progress has been made on a number...

We’re close to the end of the budget process, which is on track to meet the April 1st deadline. This multi-billion package is a series of compromises and trade-offs, so while I am pleased overall, there are plenty of items where I had hoped for more,...

As we head into the final days of the state budget cycle, the Assembly, Senate, and the Governor are in lengthy negotiations particularly on the need for funding – for infrastructure, education, and issues of parity. Some of the major outstanding...

This week, the New York State Assembly passed its "one-house" budget resolution in response to the Governor's proposed budget, which includes increased funding for education, jobs and economic development, tax relief, and support for local governments...

The Assembly voted to pass a series of reforms aimed on addressing concerns that I, along with many students, parents, and teachers, have with Common Core and APPR. I appreciate and support the continued efforts of Speaker Silver and Assemblywoman...

Property tax relief continues to be a top priority for me in the New York State Assembly and I appreciate Governor Cuomo's proposed attempt to "freeze" the cap to provide some relief - without amendment, however, local governments do not expect to achieve...

The Governor’s budget proposal is at the forefront of discussion and I continue to advocate on a variety of budget-related issues, including: + Municipal aid. Local governments in New York State are struggling to maintain basic services, while managing...

This week, I joined a WMHT panel discussion with educators, parents, and community members around the education and race themes presented in American Promise. The program airs as part of WMHT's "New York Now," on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. Call...

The balance between protecting our environment and the growth of economic development can be a fine line. The recent Global Partners’ proposal to expand operations at the Port of Albany raises several safety concerns in terms of the transportation and...

This week, Governor Cuomo unveiled his proposed Executive Budget for this fiscal year. The state legislature has until March 31 to pass a budget, and assuming it will be passed on time, it will be the first time since 1973 that the State of New York passed...

The fight to fund education in New York State is roaring back with the beginning of the state legislative session, with advocates and lawmakers making their case for a number of initiatives that affect public school education in the Empire State. Despite...

This past week, the State Legislature kicked off the new session and Governor Cuomo presented the State of the State address with a host of policy initiatives. While we await the details of the Governor's proposals, below are some initial thoughts. State...

Albany, N.Y. – Assemblymembers Patricia A. Fahy (D-Albany) and John T. McDonald III (D-Cohoes) will co-sponsor legislation that will increase penalties and charges for those who commit acts of public lewdness in front of minors and repeat offenders. The...

“The deplorable acts that individuals like Jayshawn Owens commit in our neighborhoods is nothing short of despicable. As a mother with a 14-year-old daughter, these repeated incidents of indecent exposure, particularly this last time that involved exposing...

Are more than two-thirds of our New York State students really "failures?" Of course not. However, that's the feeling many have been left with following the State Education Department's first try at new and tougher math and English language arts tests...

Albany, N.Y. – Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy (D-Albany) will participate in a panel discussion with Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk (D-Duanesburg) and Sen. Kathleen A. Marchione (R-Halfmoon) entitled “Women of Influence in Politics: A Panel Discussion” on...

Albany, N.Y. – Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy (D-Albany) and Senator Hugh Farley (R-Niskayuna) have introduced legislation that will allow for community service to be made an option to be in place or in conjunction with suspension of students in public...

As the 2013 State legislative session winds down, Governor Cuomo’s Tax-Free NY proposal to jump start Upstate economic development is gaining broad-based support and seems likely to be voted into law. It is a creative and ambitious plan that has...

ALBANY, N.Y. (June 20, 2013) --- A new state program has been established that provides for flags that have flown at half staff in memorial of the death of a military service member by order of the Governor to be given to the member’s next of kin. The...