Press Releases

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Announces Grant to Bolster Tourism in Hudson

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced a $60,000 economic development grant has been awarded to Hudson Opera House to help promote tourism in the region. The grant is part of Governor Cuomo’s $16.7 million in funding...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Announces Additional Stops on Her 2015 Diner Tour

Continuing her tradition of enjoying an open dialogue with constituents over a good cup of coffee, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) has extended her 2015 Diner Stop Tour to include four more stops. The tour allows constituents to speak...

Assemblymember Barrett and Commissioner of Agriculture Visit Dutchess County Fair

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Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D – Columbia, Dutchess) attended the 170th Annual Dutchess County Fair with New York State Agriculture & Markets Commissioner Richard Ball and his wife, Shirley, on Saturday, August 30. The group was guided by General Manager...

Legislation to Support Older Farmers Signed Into Law

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced legislation she authored that ensures aging farmers have the support they need to continue their businesses has been signed into law. Specifically, the bill would require the state to evaluate...

Local Libraries Receive Boost in Support from Assemblymember Barrett

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D- Columbia, Dutchess) announced the procurement of state funding for improvements to the Poughkeepsie Public Library District (Boardman Road Branch Library) and the Hudson Area Association Library. The funding was included...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett: Broadband Service Provides Access to the Modern World

For the Hudson Valley to grow smartly and attract the people and businesses to build a strong 21st century economy, it is essential that everyone have access to fast and reliable Internet. Simply put, now more than ever, innovation, education and commerce...

Minimum Wage Statement

“Today’s recommendation to increase the minimum wage for workers in the fast food industry is a step in the right direction. However, our focus must remain on providing financial relief to all workers instead of singling out a particular industry....

Assemblymember Didi Barrett: Good Work Done and More to Be Done

The just completed legislative session may have filled headlines with the drama of arrests and changing leadership, but for me and most of my colleagues the focus remained on fighting for our districts and passing good laws to benefit the people of New...

Pro-Farmer Legislation Awaits the Governor’s Signature

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced that legislation she authored and passed in the Assembly for three consecutive years has passed the Senate and now awaits the Governor’s signature. The legislation will help local farmers...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Says Enough is Enough

“Sexual assaults are all too common on college campuses, with 1 in 5 students a victim of dating violence or sexual assault. These statistics are alarming and the experience frequently devastating for the victims. The implementation of these thoughtful,...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Elected First Vice-Chair of Legislative Women’s Caucus

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) has been elected by her colleagues to serve as the new First Vice-Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus. This is Barrett’s first time serving in the leadership of the caucus; previously she served...

Assemblymember Barrett: New York State Recognizes Veterans for Their Remarkable Service

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced the passage of legislation she authored that will ensure veterans of recent conflicts receive the property tax exemption they deserve. The bill specifically directs the Division of Veterans'...

Assemblymember Barrett Helps Farmers Get Goods to Market

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced the passage of legislation she authored that will help local farmers on the cost of transporting their goods to markets across the state. Specifically, the bill would create a tax credit for...

Assemblymember Barrett Continues to Push for Tougher Ethics Reforms

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced the passage of legislation aimed at addressing the aggregate amount of political contributions that a limited liability company (LLC) may make in a year. The bill focuses on closing the so-called...

Assemblymember Barrett Helps Ensure Greater Protections and Support for Victims of Domestic Violence

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced the Assembly passed a series of bills aimed at providing better assistance and additional safeguards for victims of domestic violence, as well as steps to ensure victims are granted the justice...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Helps Push for Fundamental Equality

“Today, the Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to basic equality by passing a series of bills aimed at eliminating pay disparity in the workforce. Women and men across the country have fought tirelessly to raise awareness of pay inequality women face...

Assemblymember Barrett to Chair New Regional Tourism Development Subcommittee

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced her appointment as Chair of a new subcommittee on Regional Tourism Development. The committee will focus on the state’s tourist attractions as local and regional economic engines, enhancing...

Local High School Students Shadow Assemblymember Didi Barrett

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) was joined in Albany by Arlington High School honor students Brianna Bisceglia and Owen A. Patterson for Career Shadow Day. The students accompanied Assemblymember Barrett throughout the day, attending...

Assemblymember Barrett Votes to Protect a Woman’s Right to Make Her Own Healthcare Decisions

“Today’s vote reaffirms the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring the women of New York have access to all of their rights, not just some of them. All my life I have fought to ensure that all women have the same protections, opportunities and respect...

Assemblymember Barrett Supports Paid Family Leave to Hardworking Families

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 family member (A.3870). Providing workers with paid time...