Let me begin by wishing you and your loved ones a healthy and happy Thanksgiving this week -- it's a time to give thanks, pause for reflection and to express our gratitude to those around us. November is also Native American Heritage Month -- let us also reflect on our shared yet complex history, and give thanks for the contributions and legacy of America's indigenous peoples.

This week, I announced the Governor has signed legislation I sponsored with Senator Anna Kaplan this year to establish a Statewide Trails Master plan, which you may read more about below.

Don't forget - this Saturday is Small Business Saturday, so remember to shop local and smartly this weekend as many will have ongoing deals and discounts throughout the weekend. Give your 'Main Street' a visit!

As always, read on for a host of legislative policy updates, and upcoming community events/updates!

LANDMARK STATEWIDE TRAILS MASTER PLAN LEGISLATION SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR

On Monday, I stood with trails advocates from around the state and local leaders to announce Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation I sponsor with Senator Anna Kaplan to create New York's first statewide trails master plan. Communities across the state stand to benefit economically from increased connectivity of the state’s trail system, as we know record numbers of ‘adventure tourists’ and outdoor recreation enthusiasts traveled to New York this year. Following completion in 2020, Empire State Trail is projected to host an estimated 8.6 million visitors a year across its 750-mile route — highlighting the need to develop a comprehensive statewide vision to capitalize on this potential. Reducing our reliance on cars will also go a long way towards meeting our ambitious climate goals -- as the transportation sector emits the largest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions comparatively.

Over 1,000 miles of trails exist within New York State, with the Erie Canalway Trail among the most successful — annually, it has generated over $253 million in direct sales in communities it runs through, created over 3,000 jobs, and over $28.5 million in additional tax revenue. A statewide master trails plan would assist local leaders and state officials strategize as to how a more connected, developed trail network may benefit communities found along those routes.

Read more about the legislation here!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND PRESS EVENTS

Bump Stock Ban Takes Full Effect. On Tuesday, Nov. 25, legislation I crafted in the Assembly to ban firearm bump stocks in NYS took full effect. Law enforcement and gun violence advocates have been resoundingly clear – there is no legitimate reason for any individual to possess a device that is capable of turning a legal, semiautomatic firearm into a fully-functioning machine gun. Already, companies are attempting to subvert the federal ban with new devices. My legislation closes loopholes and ensures any and all firearm acceleration devices are fully banned in New York to help prevent horrific tragedies such as the one in Las Vegas in 2017.

A.I. Forum Recap - Preparing for our Sputnik Moment. Great recap of the artificial intelligence forum I held with Paul D. Tonko at UAlbany last Friday from the Albany Business Review! Check it out and read about how the Capital Region is uniquely poised to get ahead on A.I.! The Capital Region has many assets and well poised to grow our AI research and investment capability - but much more work is ahead to ensure we remain ahead of the curve on this transformational technology and industry.

JCOPE Reform. I’ve been in a number of articles in the press lately about the actions and inactions of impartiality of and within the JCOPE Commission. Earlier this year, I joined a number of colleagues in cosponsoring a bill sponsored by Assemblymember Bobby Carroll to overhaul and replace the ethics commission and JCOPE with what is intended to be a more impartial body (as linked here). I will renew advocacy for its consideration in the upcoming legislative session.

More MyPayrollHR Fallout - New Legislation. What happened when MyPayrollHR collapsed this fall and left hundreds of thousands of workers without a paycheck was unacceptable. I'm proud to sponsor Senator Kevin Thomas' legislation in the Assembly, which would allow workers to collect up to three times the amount of their paycheck if the negligence of a payroll company causes them to miss a check.

Clean Energy, Albany Port's Position to Create New Green Jobs. Offshore wind and more renewable energy in our grid is good news for the Capital Region economy -- the Port of Albany is uniquely poised to take a pivotal role in the transportation of wind turbines as they're constructed. 1,600 jobs are projected to be created statewide -- just from the first two projects -- with many created right here in Albany at the Port!

First UAbany RISE Conference 2019. I was happy to welcome participants, experts, and academics from around the country last week to University at Albany, SUNY's first-ever RISE 2019 Conference. RISE 2019 is the start of building a national platform among higher education institutions to build greater climate resiliency in our most vulnerable, front-line communities, and improving pre- and post-disaster response strategies. Innovative discussions like this are key to advancing a collective, unified strategy to the climate crisis.

Edmund O'Neal Middle School Becomes Full Community School. Community school models take a fully comprehensive approach to education and the community school model is one that should be emulated across the state. Removing barriers that many students and working families face, such as access to medical services and after school programs when it comes to education, will help improve the educational outcome of every student regardless of their background. Congratulations to Albany City Schools and Edmund J. O'Neal Middle School - now officially a community school! I was happy to join faculty and Albany County Executive Dan McCoy for the announcement.

NY AG James Sues Juul Company for Youth-Targeted Marketing. It's no secret that JUUL's marketing targets minors and adolescents with ads like the one linked in the Times Union article -- I commend New York State Attorney General Letitia James for going after the company for its deceptive practices. Vaping of both legal and illicit products continues to pose an unknown health risk, especially to younger adults and adolescents.

New COSTCO Store A Possibility. COSTCO's new presence and possible move into one of the Capital Region's core retail sites will be a regional economic driver -- COSTCO is a company that provides its workers with good-paying union jobs, robust health benefits, and collective bargaining rights. These practices have cemented COSTCO's reputation as a good-faith actor in the retail industry and defined COSTCO's commitment to the communities where it maintains a presence -- I'm pleased we're adding Albany to that list, however concerns relating to the Albany Pine Bush Preserve need to be adequately addressed as we move forward.

South End Advocate Lucy McKnight Leaves A Legacy of Service. Click here for a wonderful tribute to long-time dedicated public servant Albany County Legislator, Lucille Mcknight! Thank you for all your have done for the South End community and Albany County!

Albany Symphony Nominated for Two Grammy Awards! The Albany Symphony and its director, David Alan Miller, have been nominated for two Grammy Awards -- best classical instrumental solo and best contemporary classical composition! Congratulations and well-earned!

Gary Striar, Regional Red Cross Director, Retiring. Thank you to Gary for his years of dedication and service at the Capital Region branch of the Red Cross -- he leaves a legacy that will be hard to match. Wishing him all the best in retirement!

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

Donate or Volunteer with Equinox this Thanksgiving. Wondering how you might be able to donate, volunteer, or secure a Thanksgiving dinner for someone in need this week? Visit Equinox's web page to see how you and they might be able to help.

Climate Chaos Talk at BPL. Tom Ellis will hold a free lecture on 'Canadian Hydroelectricity Imports, Jobs, and Climate Chaos' at the Bethlehem Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 PM.

Albany Schools 1st Friday Holiday Concert and Art Show. Members of the community are invited to attend the Albany City Schools' 1st Friday Fine Arts event at the Cathedral of All Saints on Dec. 6, 2019. Please come out and see our district's student artwork and musical performances in such a beautiful and historic venue. Doors open at 5:30 pm for the art show viewing and optional cathedral tour, with musical performances set to begin at 6:30 pm.

New York State History Month Events. November is New York State history month, and the New York State Museum has put together a comprehensive list of events throughout the month you can attend to better understand and celebrate New York State's rich history and cultures.

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Apply to Work With the 2020 U.S. Census. The 2020 U.S. Census is fast approaching and it is essential that Albany and the Capital Region receive an accurate count. The Census determines our area's share of federal funds that help create opportunities and help to repair our transportation infrastructure - as well as New York's Congressional representation in the House of Representatives. For more information and to help ensure we receive an accurate and fair count in 2020, 'like' and follow the Albany Counts page linked here for updates. A link on my official Assembly website is also available for your resource. You may also visit 2020census.gov/jobs to view the list of available positions.

HEAP Application Period Open.

For more information and to apply visit: mybenefits.ny.gov

Become An Organ Donor Today. 10,000 New Yorkers are in current need of a live-saving organ transplant. To learn more about becoming an organ donor and what your donation could mean for someone, please visit this link.

Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy - Map Your Visit! The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy released a new mapping tool available online and through the mobile app store that allows hikers to map their visit at any of the MHLC's preserves and the Albany County Rail Trail. Use it to plan your next visit!