Press Releases

Request for Public Hearings on Anchorage Issue Statement

“I join US Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand in calling on the US Coast Guard to hold public hearings on the proposed establishment of ten new commercial anchorage sites along the Hudson River from Kingston to Yonkers. “This proposal,...

Columbia County Broadband Statement

“I want to thank Governor Cuomo and his team for his announcement today to bring much needed high-speed Internet to Columbia County as a part of his New NY Broadband Program. Ensuring access to fast and reliable broadband in our rural county has been...

Legislation to Combat Breast Cancer Passes the Assembly

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D – Columbia, Dutchess) announced the passage of legislation she sponsored that will grant women better access to breast cancer screenings in New York State (A.10679). Specifically, the measure will prohibit deductibles,...

Assemblymember Barrett Passes Legislation to Make Columbia County Waterways Eligible for Public Funds

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D – Columbia, Dutchess) announced she has authored and passed three pieces of legislation to designate creeks in Columbia County as inland waterways (A.9508-A, A.9509, and A.10165). These bills designate the Roeliff Jansen...

Significant Mandate Relief Measure Passes the Assembly

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D – Columbia, Dutchess) announced that the Assembly passed legislation she is a sponsor of that will require the state to fully reimburse counties for the costs associated with indigent legal services (A.6202-C). This measure...

Assemblymember Barrett Passes Legislation to Combat the Spread of Lyme Disease

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced the passage of three pieces of legislation she authored that focus on efforts to curb the spread of Lyme disease. Specifically, the bills provide students and teachers with appropriate instructional...

Assemblymember Barrett Hosts Community Broadband Meeting

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D – Columbia, Dutchess) hosted a community meeting on broadband access this morning at Columbia-Greene Community College. Her office invited staff members from the NY Broadband Program Office to provide county stakeholders...

Assemblymember Barrett and Senator Serino Raise Awareness About Lyme Disease

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D – Columbia, Dutchess) and Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I – Hyde Park) teamed up to raise awareness about Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease (TBDs) by sponsoring and passing resolutions in their respective houses declaring May...

Assemblymember Barrett Supports Innovative NYC Plan to Protect Hudson Valley Farmland

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced she has sent a letter to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in support of an initiative spearheaded by fourteen City Council Members seeking to secure a long term food source for all city residents...

New York State Budget’s Significant Investments and Crucial Programs Address Concerns of Hardworking Families

“The New York State budget that we have laid out and passed is one that substantively addresses many of the policies I’ve pushed for since I took office. It includes a tremendous investment in education with over $24 billion in aid – a more than...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Says No to Mixed Martial Arts in NY

“My no vote on the legalization of MMA-- in committee and on the floor-- reflect the position I have held since I was first elected to the Assembly. I cannot support a brutal sport that promotes misogynistic behavior or one that has the potential to...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Celebrates Women’s History Month

Girls growing up today have to look hard to discover the stories of women and girls who came before them. Often primary research is required — seeking out long hidden diaries and well-creased letters, interviewing elderly relatives and neighbors, sleuthing...

Assembly’s $30 Million Proposal Will Increase Funding to Combat Heroin Epidemic

"Our communities are reeling from the impact of heroin and opioid abuse and there is a desperate need for the resources and ongoing services to confront and curb this epidemic. The Assembly’s proposal significantly increases funding to provide treatment...

Columbia County Must Lead the Fight for Technological Upgrades

At a recent Assembly Economic Development Committee hearing on providing affordable and high quality cable, broadband and telephone service, I expressed to industry leaders what I think is the frustration of many Columbia County residents: I can't even...

Assemblymember Barrett: Helping Hardworking Families Means Supporting Paid Family Leave

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced the Assembly passed legislation she sponsored to implement paid family leave benefits for injury or sickness, pregnancy or to care for a new baby or an ailing family member (A.3870-A). The bill...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett: As We Celebrate New Equality Laws, Essential Work Remains

Marking significant progress in efforts to break down barriers to women’s equality, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced that a number of important bills passed last year take effect today. “All my life I have fought to...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Announces 2016 Diner Stop Tour Dates

Committed to facilitating an open dialogue with constituents and at the same time showcasing great local businesses, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) is again bringing her office to local diners as part of her annual “Diner Stop Tour.”...

Toll Relief for Farmers: Keep It in the Budget

“Since first elected, I have fought for a farm vehicle tax credit to bring relief to our farmers who must travel to markets on costly toll roads. Today’s announcement by Governor Cuomo is welcome relief to the farmers of the Hudson Valley,” said...

Assemblymember Barrett Disappointed in PSC Decision on Building New Power Lines

“For more than two years I have joined with many members of the Hudson Valley to fight this proposal because we have grave concerns about the negative impact monster power lines will have on our region. Today’s ruling by the PSC is counter to scientific...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Applauds New Laws to Protect the Rights of NY Women

“I have devoted my life to fighting for the rights of women and girls in this state and with the passage of these new laws New York can celebrate a step towards ensuring equality for all women. While today we took steps in the right direction, essential...