Press Releases

Direct-Support Professionals Need More Resources in NYS

Too often, fiscal and social policies developed by the state’s One-Party leadership are misaligned with the needs of those living here. The overwhelming shortage of direct-support professionals caring for the disability community is a prime example...

Statement From Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay on Expiration of Covid-19 State of Emergency

“Gov. Kathy Hochul has finally decided to acknowledge formally what the majority of us have known for months, COVID-19 is no longer an emergency in New York state.Thanks to the continued pressure from the Minority, public pushback in nearly every sector...

Honor Those Lost on 9/11 with Compassion & Camaraderie

After more than 20 years, it is still nearly impossible to comprehend the unspeakable tragedy our nation endured on September 11, 2001. That day, the world changed, and we are still dealing with the impact of the tragedies that took place in New York...

Assembly Minority Calls for Budget Hearing to Address Wasteful Purchase of Overpriced Covid Tests

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, Assemblyman Ed Ra and the Minority members on the Ways and Means Committee today sent a letter to Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, chairwoman of the committee, calling for an immediate hearing...

Statement From Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay On Farm Laborers Wage Board OT Recommendation

“Today’s recommendation from the Farm Laborers Wage Board to reduce the overtime threshold completely ignores the voices and concerns of New York farmers. Majority lawmakers have never seen a regulation they didn’t like, regardless of who it hurts....

California’s Energy Nightmare is a Cautionary Tale For New York’s Climate Policies

Rushed, politically driven policy making doesn’t work, and California’s current energy crisis is proof of this fact. This week, officials declared a statewide energy grid emergency and warned of potential blackouts as California faces a late-summer...

Barclay Encourages Summer Readers To Send in Reading Challenge

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) today encouraged readers who are participating in the 2022 Summer Reading Challenge to send in their completed challenges by Friday, Sept. 16. Participants will receive a New York State Assembly Excellence...

2022 Local Landscapes and Landmarks Art Exhibit Planned

Artists from the 120th Assembly District are once again invited to participate in Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay’s annual Local Landscapes and Landmarks visual art exhibition. This is the third annual exhibit that is designed to showcase the...

Barclay, United Way Partner On 'Stone Soup Pulaski Luncheon' To Benefit Food Pantries, Weekend Backpack

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay announced today that he is partnering with the United Way of Greater Oswego County, the Pulaski community and business leaders to hold the inaugural Stone Soup Pulaski Luncheon on Friday, Sept. 16 from 11:30 a.m....

The New York State Fair, Bigger and Better Than Ever

Each year, New Yorkers and visitors from around the country are treated to world-class entertainment, quality locally-grown produce, contests, music and more at the Great New York State Fair. Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, the fair attracted a record...

Back-To-School Shopping Presents a Serious Challenge During Record-High Inflation

Even under the best economic conditions, back-to-school shopping can be financially challenging. In today’s times of historic inflation and economic uncertainty, it’s an even bigger hill to climb. Unfortunately, this is the reality facing many New...

Rochester Area Legislators Hold Press Conference to Call for Increased Resources to Fight Crime, Boost Public Safety

Today, the Greater Rochester area members of the New York State Assembly Minority Conference hosted a press conference to discuss recent rises in violence and public safety concerns in the Greater Rochester area and throughout New York State. The delegation...

Gov. Hochul, Listen to The Experts & Keep Overtime Threshold At 60 Hours; Reject Farm Wage Board Recommendations

For nearly two years, my colleagues in the Assembly Minority Conference and I have been imploring the Farm Laborers Wage Board to keep the overtime threshold for farm workers at 60 hours per week. With the board set to make its recommendations to Gov....

Legislature Should Return to Albany for Special Session to Address Surge in Crime, Repeal Bail Reform

All one must do is open the morning paper or turn on the evening news to learn about the latest community devasted by a shooting, brutal attack or a laundry list of other random acts of violence taking place across New York state. It cannot be disputed...

Statement From Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike Long. For decades, Mike was a giant in New York politics and a champion for the working-class families of the state.His voice and guidance have influenced countless individuals, and his leadership was...

Barclay Announces Enforcement Bill Protecting Parking Access For People With Disabilities Signed By Governor

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay today announced Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation, A.9805/S.08822, that improves parking enforcement to benefit people with disabilities. The measure expands the ability of law-enforcement agencies to penalize...

Gov. Hochul Using COVID as A Political Tool Is Abhorrent

As a rule, most emergencies are obvious to the individuals experiencing them. In New York, though, that basic logic doesn’t apply. Gov. Kathy Hochul, again, extended her own “emergency powers” through Monday, August 22 despite COVID-19 cases and...

July Is Parks And Recreation Month

New York state is home to hundreds of exceptional parks and boasts some of the best outdoor and recreational spaces in the nation. During July, Parks and Recreation Month, I urge our state’s visitors and residents to consider utilizing these incredible...

Why Is Gov. Hochul Stalling the State’s Covid-19 Response Report?

Since taking office, Gov. Kathy Hochul has insisted a full review of the state’s COVID-19 pandemic response is forthcoming. Yet, as the weeks and months linger on, no such report has been released nor has the administration even hired any consultants...

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay Stands With Law Enforcement in Albany

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (far left) is shown here with Michael Powers (second from left), President of the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA), today in Albany. NYSCOPBA officials came to the State...