Press Releases

Opinion Piece on I-787, Hosting a Small Business Forum, Protecting Net Neutrality

Starting, Sustaining, and Growing a Small Business
Much of the news this week was dominated by news at the national level as the President and his administration were implicated in a constitutional crisis that led to the announcement of formal impeachment proceedings brought forth by House Speaker Nancy...

More Senseless Gun Violence, Newsletter Link, New Unelected Changemaker Episode and More

It's been an unusually busy couple of weeks here in the Capital Region — from an update in the Schoharie limousine crash story, to the new roll-out of the state's license plates that have dominated the news cycle lately. As always — read on...

Honoring Memorial Day, NYS Assists Congress, and Election Results for School Districts!

Happy Memorial Day. On Monday, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the United States of America, and our life, liberty, and security. The loved ones and families of those who have sacrificed everything are to be revered and remembered...

Budget Resolution Passes, A Win on Pre-K Transportation, Youth on Climate Change & More on Vaccines

N.Y. Bill Would Let Teens Who Disagree With Parents’ ‘dangerous anti-immunization pseudoscience’ to Get Vaccinated

Increasing Vaccinations, Assembly Budget Resolution, Raising Tobacco Sales to Age 21 & More

Amazon Says No to NY, Lawmakers Urge ICE to Scale Back Courthouse Arrests, and $12.5m PILOT Payment for Albany Within Reach

From Amazon pulling out of the NYC location for its new headquarters, to the legislature's first official sexual harassment hearing in 25 years - it was a busy week! Read below to catch up on anything you may have missed in the way of state and local...

State of State, Voting, LLC Loophole, Wadsworth Win & Open House on Friday

Friend, This week the Governor delivered his State of the State address and outlined his priorities and the Executive Budget proposal for FY 2019-20. The Legislature also approved a wide-ranging package of electoral reforms aimed at increasing voter...

Capitol Reception, REDC Awards, Albany Schools Transportation

Friend – Below are a few updates as we approach the busy holiday season. Wishing you all the best of the season and peace in the New Year! Capitol Reception. Please join myself, Assemblymember John McDonald, and Senator Neil Breslin for a Holiday...

Happy Thanksgiving, HEAP Applications Open, New SUNY Partnership

I kicked off last week by honoring and celebrating our veterans in Albany’s Veterans Day Parade and on the USS Slater. Like many of us, I will be joining family later this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, and I wish everyone safe and warm travels...

Kicking off Back to School, Big Win for Electric Buses, New Albany Police Chief

Excitement is in the air with the kick-off of the new school year! Wishing students, parents and teachers success throughout the new year.New Albany Police Chief. Congrats to new Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins!  I was impressed to hear from...

Constituent Survey, Opinion Piece on the NYS Justice Center, New Commission on Prosecutorial Misconduct

Summer is winding down and we have some great weather to look forward to this weekend! State Issues Survey. While I recognize it is not scientific, I am gratified and intrigued with survey responses from my newsletter that hundreds of you have sent....

Local News Crisis, Federal Emissions Standards, Enviro Score Cards Out

Local news coverage is critical connection for people to their communities. Working to report a basic set of facts for public discourse, holding public officials accountable and giving a voice to the working class makes local news indispensable. This...

More Bad News at the Federal Level – Separation Policy, Supreme Court & More

This rapid-fire news this week has left many of us with political whiplash. Tuesday’s primary results, more disturbing revelations on the Trump Administration’s separation policy, along with the Janus decision and a new vacancy on the US Supreme Court...

Wrapping up 2018 Session

Friend – This past week marked the end of the 2018 legislative session. While much work remains to be done, including on bail and criminal justice reforms, ethics reforms and teacher evaluations, I’m proud of what the Assembly has accomplished...

End of Session Nears

The Assembly is about to enter the last week of legislative session, however much work remains to be done as most of the 11,000 bills are still pending! This week I was particularly pleased to support an expanded version of the Extreme Risk Protection...

Push for Jacobe's Law, Assembly Passes LEAD Bill, Rail Trail Expands

I continued to push this week for the passage of Jacobe’s Law in the Assembly. The bill would require schools to notify parents when a student is experiencing bullying in school. This legislation is a priority for the end of session this year, and I...

Reflecting on Memorial Day

Wishing all a peaceful Memorial Day as we remember and reflect on those who have so gallantly served and sacrificed for our country. I hope to see folks out for the parades in Albany and in Bethlehem this Monday. Below are some good events coming up this...

Underwood Voted in as AG, Wadsworth Labs, LEAD Funding Push

Some good news last week: the >Capital Region posted a record high job total for April last month, with a total of 472,400 jobs! On an additional positive note, there was some rare good news from Washington came this week as the Senate voted to overturn...

Another Tumultuous Week at the Capitol, Run, Bike & Hike

I joined in the collective state of shock this week learning about the allegations regarding former Attorney General Schneiderman and his subsequent resignation. Given the increasingly negative news for New York coming from Washington, I realize the paramount...