Press Releases

The Municipal Health Insurance Savings Act Will Provide Local Tax Relief

For years, local governments have been stretched thin maintaining services while dealing with rising health insurance costs. Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) has reintroduced legislation (A.739) that allows cities, towns, villages, school districts,...

Assembly Passes Steck Legislation to Save Schenectady County Resources

Yesterday, the New York State Assembly passed Assemblymember Steck’s legislation to save Schenectady County Sheriff’s Department resources as well as money for Schenectady County taxpayers (A.6527). The legislation allows the Schenectady County...

Steck Bill Limiting SLA Overreach Gains Momentum

Legislation to clarify the State Liquor Authority’s (SLA) jurisdiction, which was introduced by Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie), has moved out of the Assembly Economic Development Committee (A.5920). The legislation was penned to address the SLA’s...

Capital Region Must be Added to List of Federal Oil Trains “High Threat” Areas

“The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a ‘new safety rule’ for oil trains this morning that will not only fail to prevent an explosive disaster, but also does not apply to Capital Region cities as they do not meet the federally-set parameters...

Assemblymember Steck Fights to Protect the Pine Bush Preserve

In honor of Earth Day, Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) helped the Assembly pass a series of measures to preserve our environment and protect public health, as well as announced vital funding for local conservation efforts. “Protecting our environment...

Opposition to the Governor’s Education Agenda

“Education is the number one issue in my district. The governor’s positions on education are well known and unpopular because New York has some of the best schools in the nation. I cannot support the increased emphasis on standardized testing nor...

Steck Applauds US Senators Calling for Oil Train Safety Measures

“I want to applaud Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for calling on federal regulators to implement new safety measures designed to reduce the potential risk of a catastrophic oil train derailment – an issue that I have been calling attention...

Assemblymember Steck: We Must Protect a Woman’s Right to Make Her Own Health Care Decisions

“Over 40 years ago, the United States Supreme Court affirmed a woman’s right to choose, ensuring constitutionally protected access to safe, legal abortion. “In light of nationwide attacks on Roe v. Wade, the potential loss of access to safe,...

Statement on Rail Inspections

“The governor announced today that a new round of ‘targeted crude oil tank car and rail inspections uncovered 93 defects, including seven critical safety defects that required immediate corrective action, and two hazardous materials violations.’...

Assemblymember Steck: Assembly Budget Proposal Invests in Education

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced his support for the Assembly’s budget proposal, which reaffirms his commitment to fully funding our schools, protecting taxpayers and enhancing Universal Pre-Kindergarten (E.203). “A first-rate education...

Assemblymember Steck Calls for Stronger Safety Measures for Crude Oil Transport

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) is calling on the federal Department of Transportation immediately to increase safety regulations for crude oil transportation after a train derailment on Feb. 16 forced the evacuation of two towns in West Virginia,...

Statement on the Speaker

“I have said from the very moment the news broke that my focus has been on the issues important to my constituents, the residents of the Capital Region, and the state. I wanted to focus on dealing with the budget, education, fairness for the middle...

Assemblymember Steck Reacts to Governor’s Presentation

“Today, Governor Cuomo demonstrated his outstanding public speaking skills in his well-presented combined State of the State and budget address, which he entitled the Opportunity Agenda for New York. The Governor continued to add resources to his economic...

Assemblymember Steck Pushes for Proper Funding Of Schools

“School funding will continue to be my top priority for the community. I stood with the Alliance for Quality Education's "Moral Monday" today to fight for the proper funding of education because we simply cannot wait any longer to fulfill our commitment...

Steck Supports Location Board’s Decision in Choosing Schenectady Bid

“I applaud the New York Gaming Facility Location Board on their decision today to locate a casino in the 110th Assembly District. The Rivers Casino & Resort at Mohawk Harbor in the city of Schenectady had the best criteria, was spearheaded by a great...

Bank Settlement Fund Allocation

New York State will be receiving $5.1 billion in assessments and settlements from banking institutions in the 2014/15 fiscal year. This windfall has generated significant policy discussion on how to best use these funds to the benefit of New York State....

Steck Seeks Increased Safety Regulations for Shipment of Hydraulically Fractured Crude Oil

On September 22, 2014, Assemblymember Phil Steck (NY-D) sent a letter to the attention of North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple, Chair of the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC), for consideration at their September 23 hearing concerning increased...

Assemblymember Steck Secures Grant for Schenectady Jewish Community Center

Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced he successfully secured a Community Capital Assistance Grant of $125,000 for the Robert and Dorothy Ludwig Jewish Community Center of Schenectady (SJCC). The grant will be used to make the SJCC facility...

Assemblymember Steck: Keep Officials Who Violate the Public Trust Off the Taxpayer Dime

In response to Thursday’s Capital New York article of U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara reclaiming the pension of a former New York City councilman who was convicted on corruption charges, Assemblymember Steck reiterated the need to pass legislation to strip...

Assemblymember Steck Dedicated to Continuing James Brady’s Legacy of Preventing Gun Violence

“The passing of James Brady is a tragic loss, but his legacy lives on in the invaluable work he has done as an advocate for gun control. After suffering a terrible physical and emotional wound in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan,...