There are a lot of things to be positive about in Central New York. Unfortunately, the economy is not one of them. Over the last decade, job growth in the Syracuse area has been anemic. The lack of jobs, among other things, has caused an outward migration...

One of the claims that Governor Cuomo has made about this year’s state budget is that it includes ethics reforms that will “create the strongest and most comprehensive ethics laws for public officials of any state in the nation.” Because I am not...

At approximately 3 a.m. on April 1st, the New York State Assembly passed the last of 12 bills that make up New York’s 2015-16 budget. The state Senate had passed the legislation about four hours earlier. While technically not on time (pursuant to...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) announced today that he has renewed his fight against synthetic drugs. Barclay has reintroduced his legislation that would give law enforcement better tools to help discourage synthetic drug use and sales. Barclay...

Domestic violence, harassment, and sexual assault continue to be issues I am concerned about. Studies reveal that this occurs more than many realize. A few new laws were recently chaptered and aim to improve victims’ rights and protections. I supported...

National Ag week was celebrated last week. It’s a week in which we recognize the abundant crops harvested by farmers all over the nation and the contributions they make to the economy. In New York alone, the agriculture industry recorded $5.68 billion...

Recent findings by the Tax Foundation, a Washington-based research organization, should serve as a reminder to the State Legislature and the Governor during this year's budget negotiations that New York needs to decrease spending, reduce state mandates,...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) announced today he was pleased the Assembly finally passed tougher laws against human traffickers. The Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act will create felonies and more offenses, giving law enforcement...

The Assembly Majority’s one-house budget proposal doesn’t create enough opportunities for middle-class families in Central and Northern New York. Absent from the majority’s proposal is meaningful tax relief that would help families struggling...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) today announced that he is a sponsor of legislation that would prevent all registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school. Last month, the New York State Court of Appeals ruled that localities...

The Governor's office announced in 2013 that it would use Microsoft Office365--an email and software management system to consolidate 27 agency email systems, improve access to applications, share calendars in a cloud-based system, and save taxpayer dollars....

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) joined his legislative colleagues at a press conference outside of the Assembly Chamber this afternoon to call for sweeping rules reform. The proposed reforms would redefine the chamber’s parliamentary operations...

The Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network recently launched an ad campaign called Pass Life On. There are a series of videos which talk about the importance of organ donation titled “The Greatest Person Never Known” which feature a grateful organ recipient....

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) today encouraged Central and Northern New York college students to participate in the New York Business Plan Competition. The Central New York deadline to apply is March 6. The Northern New York deadline is...

The second biggest budget item in the state budget is education, which is right behind healthcare. Last year, the state spent $22.3 billion on education. In 2012, combined with the local and federal share of education, New Yorkers spent $58.4 billion...

There have been a number of national and local news stories reporting on the increased cases of measles. The cases have primarily been located in California. However, nationally, the number of cases of measles in the U.S. grew to 635 in 2014—more...

We have heard a lot from the Governor’s office about the success of New York’s Health Exchange. The exchange was set up pursuant to ObamaCare which mandates that all Americans obtain health insurance. The exchanges, which are either set up by individual...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I--Pulaski) released the following statement today after a new Speaker, Carl Heastie, a Bronx lawmaker, was elected to the position by the Assembly Majority today at 11 a.m. This is the first time a new Speaker has been elected...

It is a tumultuous time in the New York State Assembly. Long-time serving Speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver, has been arrested for public corruption. After initially standing by Silver, claiming, amazingly, that his arrest will not be a distraction,...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I--Pulaski) said today that whoever the new Speaker will be must embrace reforming the Assembly rules and help pass meaningful ethics reform. Barclay said the time is now for change in light of last night's announcement that...