This past week, the Assembly Majority Conference convened in Albany to discuss priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

The Governor also signed legislation I sponsor to improve connecting veterans who've experienced sexual trauma or assault in the military to resources they require for recovery.

We're inching closer and closer to the 2020 Census and critical funding for outreach in the upcoming year was released by the Governor for hard-to-count municipalities. As always, read on for community events and updates from throughout the district!

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND PRESS EVENTS

Military Sexual Assault & Trauma Legislation Signed. Thank you to Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing legislation I sponsored this past session with Senator Kevin Parker (S.5006-A/A.2459-A) to better connect survivors of military sexual assault and trauma with vital resources for recovery and treatment. It is critical that we provide proper support and services to our veterans, especially for those who have risked it all while bravely serving their country. At the federal level, more must be done to prevent this type of reprehensible behavior from occurring within our armed forces.

Public Financing Commission Recommendations. On reforming New York's campaign finance system and laws -- I remain disappointed the legislature abrogated its authority to an unelected commission. I'm concerned that the commission's recommendations would make it significantly harder to participate in our electoral process as a third party, fail to adequately reign in 'big money' and the size of independent expenditures, and does not limit matching donations in-district to maximize constituent voices. I support addressing these concerns with amendments to ensure New York has a fair and robust campaign finance system.

Assembly Transportation Cmte. Holds Hearing on Infrastructure Capital Funding. Today, the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation held a public hearing about the Department Of Transportation's Capital Programs. Some of the issue areas I brought up included:

• Adequate funding for statewide transportation infrastructure
• Complete street design (pedestrian, cyclist, and neighborhood friendly infrastructure designs)
• How we can utilize the transportation sector in our fight against climate change and to meet NY's ambitious climate goals
• How Vision Zero can be successfully emulated in other major cities, especially Upstate

I look forward to working on the several transportation related issues facing our state in the upcoming session.

DEC Studies State Bottle Bill Expansion. The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has studied an expansion of the state's bottle recycling bill to include more glass and alcoholic beverage containers, in order to encourage recycling of those products. Plastic beverage container pollution accounts for 60% of all roadside and curbside litter in the United States. While New York's original 'bottle bill' has been successful in driving recycling efforts, we need to expand it to include other containers like certain glass bottles and more in the upcoming session.

Trump Admin. Slashes Food Stamps for 85K NYers. 85,000 New Yorkers and their families stand to lose SNAP food stamp benefits under the new rules proposed by the Trump administration. SNAP provides our most vulnerable families and individuals with food security, and helps to support local retailers and economies. In New York State, we'll continue to work in the legislature to offset these unnecessary cuts and ensure food security for all New Yorkers.

JCOPE Reform Needed. I've read a number of articles recently raising serious concerns about the actions, inaction or lack of impartiality in the JCOPE Commission. Earlier this year, I joined a number of colleagues in cosponsoring legislation by Assemblymember Bobby Carroll and Senator Liz Krueger to overhaul and replace both the Ethics Commission and JCOPE with what is designed to be a more impartial body to mitigate these continuing problems. I will renew advocacy for its consideration this upcoming session.

'What You Need to Know' About NY's Statewide Master Trails Legislation. Read a great recap and focus piece on my statewide trails master plan legislation signed by the Governor from Democrat & Chronicle -- and particularly, how Upstate New York's communities and region as a whole stand to especially benefit from the projected impact.

Capital Center Visitor Numbers Up. New numbers show that the Albany Capital Center attracted and received even more visitors than it did in the previous year, once again showcasing its economic impact on the City of Albany and the Capital Region as a whole. I'm pleased that the Albany Capital Center continues to produce multiplier effects in our regional economy when it comes to hotels and hospitality, food and comfort venues, and many more industries who've benefited from the Capital Center's draw.

Local Government 2020 Census Funding Released by Governor. Earlier this week, the Governor announced funding for the 2020 Census has been made readily available to ensure that every New Yorker and Capital Region resident is counted. $20 million has been made available for local governments and municipalities to utilize in ensuring a full count. Let's ensure Albany counts in 2020 by helping to get the word out and stay prepared. See helpful links for local governments and those seeking employment or to get involved here:

• County funding breakdown: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/CensusRFEILetter12219withESDeditsclean.pdf

• Applications for local gov'ts requiring additional funding: https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Allocations.pdf

• Census employment and to get involved: 2020census.gov/jobs

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

Albany High School Select Choir to Perform w/ Albany Symphony Orchestra. On Sunday, December 8th, at 7:30 PM, the Albany High School Select Choir will perform with the Albany Symphony Orchestra at the Troy Savings Bank Hall! Don't miss it!

Book Review at Albany Public Library. The Polar Bear Expedition: The Heroes of America's Forgotten Invasion of Russia 1918-1919, written by James Carl Nelson, explores America's failed expedition to Russia during the Russian Revolution, and will be the topic of a book talk series at the Albany Public Library's Washington Avenue branch on Tuesday, December 10th, at 12:15 PM.

Hour of Code at Bethlehem Public Library Dec. 12. Come to the Bethlehem Public Library on Thursday, December 12, at 4 PM for an hour of learning basic coding skills. Bring your laptop or use one of BPL's!

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.

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.

Pat