Today, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) addressed his colleagues during opening remarks to begin the 2021 Legislative Session. During today’s proceedings, Leader Barclay introduced the Assembly Minority Conference’s 11 new members, called upon his Chamber to work collaboratively to address New York’s many obstacles and laid out his plans aimed at getting New York back on its feet.

Leader Barclay’s remarks can be viewed here.

“The past year seemed like a journey in the darkness with no end in sight. We have lost colleagues. Some have lost family, many have lost friends, but we return here in a better place because we never lost our way,” said Leader Barclay. “There are daunting realities to address, but we have a unique opportunity to deliver when it matters most. I believe every member of the Assembly wants that. I can say that the members of the Assembly Minority Conference are here to do whatever possible to get direct help into the hands of struggling New Yorkers and facilitate the recovery of our great state.”

Among the Conference’s priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session are: 

• Continuing efforts to completely eradicate the COVID-19 viral threat;
• Aiding small businesses in dire need of aid and helping them recover the jobs they lost during lockdown;
• Finding a way to retain our state’s population, which is in a steep decline;
• Bolstering support for students and schools so districts can maintain a high standard of learning; 
• Reining-in questionable and ineffective state programs that have spent millions of taxpayer dollars and produced little return on investment;
• Providing support for law-enforcement to keep neighborhoods safe and reduce the alarming rise in violent crime; 
• Allowing family members to enjoy safe, responsible visitations to their elderly loved ones in nursing homes and adult care facilities; and 
• Re-establishing the Legislature as a co-equal branch of government and returning New York to the representative democracy it was always intended to be.

Leader Barclay also highlighted the exceptional contribution of the state’s frontline workers, healthcare community, emergency responders, educators, childcare providers and professionals who continue to guide us through the health crisis during his remarks.