Press Releases

Planning New York's Financial Future Will Take Transparency, Cooperation

We are beginning to be able to quantify the devastating economic impact of the coronavirus health crisis, and although the numbers may seem scary, there is much we can do to ensure New York endures and, eventually, thrives. New York State is facing a...

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay on Gov. Cuomo's Mail-In Voting Executive Order

The COVID-19 epidemic has forced all of us to modify our normal practices and routines. The need to adjust our electoral procedures was inevitable. However, the governor has issued a series of executive orders that have presented conflicting and confusing...

Assembly Minority Conference Calls for Financial Aid to Firefighters and EMS Workers Reeling from Pandemic

The New York state Assembly Minority Conference is calling for immediate federal financial aid to local governments, with special consideration to volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency medical service (EMS) workers who have been stretched particularly...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay on the 116-Member Reopening Advisory Board

“More than a week ago, Assembly Minority politicians called for a region-by-region assessment with specific protocols and a tangible plan – delivered by April 30 – on how to restart our economy. Since that time, New Yorkers have heard...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“It is with profound happiness that we have learned Assemblyman Brian Miller’s condition is improving and he has been moved out of intensive care. His COVID-19 diagnosis, which came more than a month ago, was a shock to his family, friends and...

Statement from Assemblyman Will Barclay on the Death of Former Assemblyman Joseph Errigo

“I am deeply saddened to learn that former Assemblyman Joseph Errigo has passed away. Having served with Joe for more than a decade, I considered him a friend and respected his loyalty and leadership to the people of his district. I know that...

Surviving the Times through Community Support

For nearly all of us managing these unprecedented times, it’s easy to get away from our normal routines and go-to comforts. Among our many daily challenges is staying connected to the things we have built our incredible communities upon. As such,...

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay Calls For “New York State Regional Restart”

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref.-Pulaski) and members of the Assembly Minority Conference today called for the development of a plan to guide the state’s reopening for businesses on a phased-in, regional basis. The “New York...

Assembly Minority Conference Proposes “Jump-Start New York” To Aid Residents, Businesses, Economic Recovery

The New York State Assembly Minority Conference has introduced a comprehensive economic stimulus plan aimed at shielding the millions of New Yorkers impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The “Jump-Start New York” initiative calls for short-term...

Blood Donations Are A Call for Community Response

Challenging times have brought out the best in our community. If there is a silver lining to the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s the show of support and the way people and professionals have responded to the call. From businesses providing personal protective...

Assemblyman Brian Manktelow to Direct Minority Conference Efforts to Protect & Assist Lake Ontario Shoreline Communities

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay today named Assemblyman Brian Manktelow (R,C,I,Ref-Lyons) to spearhead the Minority Conference’s commitment to help individuals and businesses facing the annual threat of Lake Ontario flooding. “In...

Assembly Minority Calls for Immediate State Action to Minimize Devastating Impacts on NY’s Farming Community

The Assembly Minority Conference today called for New York State to minimize the crushing impacts that the COVID-19 outbreak has had on the state’s agriculture industry. In a letter to Gov. Cuomo and legislative leaders, Assembly Minority members...

Assembly Minority Urge President Trump and New York Congressional Delegation to Secure Immediate Assistance for State’s Farmers - Letter

Assembly Minority Urge President Trump and New York Congressional Delegation to Secure Immediate Assistance for State’s Farmers

Assembly Minority conference today issued a letter to President Trump and members of the state’s Congressional Delegation urging them to take swift action to assist farmers suffering devastating impacts from the economic downturn associated with...

Looking back at the 2020 Budget's Bizarre Process & Priorities

This year’s budget process was one unlike any of us have ever seen, with face-to-face interaction nearly impossible, late-night debates taking place in an empty chamber and negotiations being shaped by an overwhelming public-health crisis. During...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“Former Assemblyman Richard Brodsky was a passionate advocate for those he represented and fought vigorously to defend the principles upon which he built his lengthy and distinguished political career. His recent passing is a tragic loss for the...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, Assemblyman Brian Manktelow & Senator Patty Ritchie on Gov. Cuomo’s Executive Order to Redistribute Ventilators & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

“Ventilators and PPE are the last lines of defense in a fight that we cannot afford to lose. The governor’s Executive Order to move life-saving equipment to downstate hospitals seems to be a reasonable premise executed with reckless overreach....

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay on the Final 2020-2021 State Budget

“During unprecedented times that demand a concentrated focus, state Majority rushed out a cluttered state budget that offered nothing of the kind. Concocted behind closed doors and advanced under the cover of darkness, the state’s final spending...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay on Changes to Criminal Justice Laws

“Legislative majorities, along with Gov. Cuomo, may have walked back some of the abysmal criminal justice laws passed late last year. However, although they finally acknowledged their failed signature policy, they came up woefully short in an...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay on Public Campaign Financing

“Publicly funded campaigns take taxpayer money meant for infrastructure, emergency services and economic development and hand it over to politicians to pay for mailers and robocalls. There is no evidence this backward system does anything...