Press Releases

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay on The Inauguration of President Biden

“I would like to congratulate and extend best wishes to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on today’s inauguration and the beginning of their administration. As the 46th president enters the White House, I hope his tenure is defined...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay on Majority’s Vote to Reverse Redistricting Referendum

“By voting today to completely overhaul the state’s legislative redistricting process, Assembly Majority made a conscious decision to reverse the will of the people in an act motivated entirely by self-preservation.In 2014, after receiving the Legislature’s...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay On Today's Executive Budget Presentation

“What the governor offered today was not a budget presentation. It was more regurgitated rhetoric that we’ve heard over and over, punctuated by a desperate plea to the federal government for a $15 billion bailout. For all the talk of ‘leadership’...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“I want to express my sincere condolences on the passing of Chenango County Minority Committee Chairman Tom Morrone.For nearly 40 years, Tom was a dedicated friend and a fixture in Chenango County, doing everything in his power to help his community,...

Assembly Minority Conference Calls on Majority to Direct Critical Dwyer Fund Payments for Veterans

The Assembly Minority Conference today penned a letter to Speaker Carl Heastie, Mental Health Committee Chairwoman Aileen Gunther and Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairwoman Didi Barrett calling for members of the Majority Conference to release critical...

New Yorkers Need a Consistent Recovery Plan to Get the State Back on Its Feet

In the aftermath of COVID-19 lockdowns, New York’s economic-development and reopening plan has been confusing, inconsistent and has disregarded objective data and legislative cooperation. In every corner of the state, business owners have been forced...

Assembly Minority Releases ‘Jump-Start New York’ With Redesigned Economic Recovery Blueprint

In an effort to stimulate New York’s economic recovery and strengthen its fiscal resilience ahead of future emergencies, the Assembly Minority Conference has compiled and updated a list of proposals—Jump-Start New York: A Plan for Economic Recovery.“All...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay On The 2021 State of The State Address

“This year’s State of the State Address should have been a moment focused on New York’s recovery, with specific plans, details and optimism that 19.5 million New Yorkers have been waiting for. While we’re told additional information will be forthcoming,...

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay Calls for Collaboration During 2021 Legislative Session

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,...

New York Needs Leadership, Cooperation to Weather the Storm

This week, the Assembly reconvened to begin the 2021 Legislative Session. While the halls of the Capitol were dramatically different due to COVID restrictions, we begin our work with a sense of optimism and purpose. After a great deal of tumult in 2020,...

Barclay, Ortt Press Health Commissioner on State’s Slow Vaccine Rollout

Minority Leaders in the state Legislature recently penned a letter to Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, former Secretary to the Governor Larry Schwartz and Secretary of State Rossana Rosado imploring officials to answer several questions...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

“The situation unfolding in Washington D.C. is nothing short of tragic. What we’ve witnessed today has no place in our country and should be condemned by anyone who considers them self a true American. Protests have always been part of political...

Barclay To Hold Blood Drive in Oswego On January 15

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) today announced that he will host a blood drive to benefit the American Red Cross on Friday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Roy C. McCrobie Building, located at 41 Lake St., Oswego.“The...

Wishing You All A Happy and Prosperous New Year

As a nation and a state, the past year tested us in ways we never could have anticipated. While 2020 was a difficult road for so many, we have learned a great deal during this year and there is still much to celebrate as we move into 2021.We have seen...

Statement from Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay On Today’s Wage Board Decision

“The proposal to reduce the 60-hour overtime threshold threatened to over-regulate New York’s family farms out of existence. Fortunately, the Wage Board acted prudently in its decision to preserve the current threshold for the time being. This is...

Assembly Majority Reject Minority Efforts to Rein in Governor’s Unilateral Authority

During today’s legislative session, Assembly Minority presented amendments intended to curtail the governor’s expanded authorities and provide greater balance and accountability in the “COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act”...

Wishing Everyone A Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

This Christmas season we have come together as a state and community, and in most instances, we’ve done so without being together at all. We have responded to significant challenges with the resolve and determination New Yorkers are known for. Despite...

Barclay Delivers Community’s Generous Gifts to Veterans

Stockings for Veterans
  Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) today announced the Stockings for Veterans have been delivered to the VA Medical Center in Syracuse in time for Christmas.Thanks to everyone’s efforts, more than 135 veterans who must spend...

Frontline Workers Deserve Continued Thanks For Their Unwavering Dedication During Pandemic

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring, one thing has remained constant–frontline workers have continued to serve those most in need and closest to them. In New York, we have seen the virus threaten the health of communities from one end...

Assembly Minority Conference Calls For Review Of Gov. Cuomo’s Unchecked Executive Powers

The Assembly Minority Conference today issued a letter to legislative leaders calling for action regarding Gov. Cuomo’s improper extension of emergency powers beyond statutory limits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Conference also called for the...