Shining a Light on Good Deeds
Dec 19, 2014
There are many in our local communities who donate their time and talents to make sure that others do not go without around the holidays. I like reading the news this time of year and finding stories about charities that were helped or how one person...
Single-Payer Healthcare Would Eliminate Private Options, Cost Taxpayers, and Limit Care
Dec 12, 2014
Since the passage of Obamacare, polling consistently has shown that it is a very unpopular program with the American people. Indeed, as has recently been reported, Dr. Gruber--one of the so-called architects of Obamacare--was recorded as saying that...
Student Art Exhibit Deadline Approaching
Dec 9, 2014
The New York State Art Teachers Association (NYSATA), in partnership with the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), is holding its 25th Annual Legislative Student Art Exhibit March 2, 2015. The exhibit will be on display in Albany at the “Well”...
Federal Lunch Changes Cost Schools
Dec 8, 2014
School lunch purchases are on the decline. According to the New York School Nutrition Association, more than 19 million fewer meals across the state were sold during the 2012-13 school year than the year before. In the 2011-12 school year, 94 million...
Is Weather Detection System Necessary? Spend Budget Surplus on Upstate Infrastructure, Too
Dec 1, 2014
Snowfall totals that came with the historic arctic storm earlier this month made national headlines. Erie and Wyoming counties reported 80 inches of snow. Parts of Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego counties reported more than 30 inches and as many as 50 inches....
Suicide Prevention Work Aims To Create Open Dialogue, Save Lives
Nov 12, 2014
America was shocked and saddened when news of Robin Williams’ death hit last month. The iconic actor and comedian that made his fame making others laugh sadly took his own life. Many questions arose following his death, and many counselors reminded...
Domestic Violence Chronically Underreported
Nov 8, 2014
News of tragedy struck again this month when State Police investigated a case in which a woman was stabbed and later died in Cazenovia. Her alleged killer is a man with whom she was living. According to news reports, their two young boys were home during...
Website Aims to Raise Awareness About Drug Addiction with Personal Stories, Facts
Oct 27, 2014
There have been a number of reported overdoses due to heroin and other opioids in recent months. According to the Centers for Disease Control, among people 25 to 64 years old, drug overdose caused more deaths than motor vehicle traffic crashes...
Local Agencies Work to Improve Literacy
Oct 20, 2014
In 1961, Ruth Colvin, a resident of Central New York, read an article in the newspaper claiming that more than 11,000 people in her town were unable to read. Shocked by this information, Ms. Colvin decided to take it upon herself to do something about...
Put Politics Aside And Pass Legislation That Promotes Women's Rights
Oct 13, 2014
As Election Day draws closer, campaigns often ratchet up their rhetoric. The governor's campaign is doing just that. The governor and his allies formed a political party to help advertise his support of a package of bills known as the Women's Equality...
Buying Local Assists Economy, Friends, and Local Tax Base
Aug 28, 2014
During the first week of September, the nation pauses to celebrate Labor Day. The holiday was created in the 1880s, and by 1894, Congress passed an act naming the first Monday in September officially as Labor Day. The holiday grew in popularity as labor...
Linked Deposit Program Assists Job Growth
Aug 22, 2014
In 1994, the state began what’s called the Linked Deposit Program (LDP). LDP began as a way to assist and encourage manufacturers and small businesses to undertake investments, which would ultimately lead to a stronger economy. According to an annual...
Barclay Scores 100 On Unshackle Upstate's 2013-14 Legislative Scorecard
Aug 19, 2014
Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski )released the following statement today following the release of Unshackle Upstate’s scorecards for legislators. Barclay scored 100%. Unshackle Upstate is a pro-taxpayer, pro-business advocacy organization that...
Laws on Unlawful Surveillance, Sex Offenders, Child Abuse Reporters, and Maternal Depression Change in NY
Aug 15, 2014
There have been a number of new laws signed and chaptered in New York in recent weeks. I want to update readers on a few involving mandated reporters, unlawful surveillance, screening of volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel, and maternal depression....
Barclay Urges Colleagues to Support Veterans
Aug 12, 2014
Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) is pleased to announce his support for two newly-introduced bills that will create opportunities for veterans.
Barclay is urging his colleagues to prioritize passage of A.9774 during the upcoming legislative...
Billion Dollar Windfall Should Go to Curb Local Taxes with Road, Education Investment
Aug 8, 2014
The New York State Department of Budget reported in its quarterly update that the state estimates it will receive $4.2 billion in 2015 from financial settlements reached by the Department of Financial Services, Department of Law, and the Manhattan District...
One Energy Tax Eliminated, Others Still Heavy Hitting
Aug 4, 2014
My office receives a lot of inquiries from constituents who wonder why their energy bills are so high. These inquiries are well founded, as New Yorkers pay some of the highest residential energy costs in the nation. In fact, New York's energy...
Purple Heart Veterans Honored With Special Day
Jul 25, 2014
On Aug. 7, 1782, George Washington first presented a Badge of Military Merit to soldiers for “any singularly meritorious action.” The award he created from his headquarters in Newburgh, NY, was a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk and had the word...
Tourism on the Rise
Jul 18, 2014
Tourism is a big industry for New York. According to recent state statistics, the New York tourism industry generated $59.2 billion in direct spending, which produced an estimated $7.5 billion in state and local taxes in 2013. The industry also is reportedly...
Changes To Common Core Still Needed
Jul 11, 2014
The implementation of the Common Core Learning Standards was easily the most talked about issue in K-12 education this year. Common Core is an initiative adopted by most states, including New York, that, in theory, is supposed to set new educational...