Press Releases

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Applauds Legislative Package Passed to Combat Human Trafficking

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced today that the Assembly passed a legislative package to combat against human trafficking. “Human trafficking is exploitation at its most despicable and the number of victims has reached...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Helps Pass ‘Families First’ Budget Proposal

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced the passage of the Assembly’s “Families First” state budget proposal (E.203). Specifically, the Assembly proposal continues to invest in New York’s thriving agricultural industry and...

Assemblymember Barrett Celebrates Hudson Valley Women’s History With New Booklet

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) released the second volume of “Women’s History in the Hudson Valley: Ten Stories from Columbia and Dutchess Counties,” a booklet she created in collaboration...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Announces Her 2015 Diner Stop Tour Dates

Committed to keeping an open dialogue with Hudson Valley residents, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) is again bringing her office to local diners as part of her fourth annual “Diner Stop Tour.” “I am a huge diner fan and we...

Assemblymember Barrett Wants to Ensure Farmland Preservation Funds Stay in the Budget

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia & Dutchess) is encouraged by the governor’s inclusion of a $20 million farmland preservation initiative in this year’s 2015-16 budget, but she urges people to let their legislators and the governor know how...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Calls for Truly Universal Pre-Kindergarten

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced that she is authoring legislation to ensure state-funded Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) for three and four year olds is truly universal and that special needs children are included in both...

Didi Barrett Sworn Into the New York State Assembly

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Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia, Dutchess) announced that her swearing-in ceremony took place at the Red Devon on Sunday, January 25 in Bangall. She was reelected to a second full term to represent the 106th Assembly District, which covers Columbia...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Supports $20 Million Farmland Preservation Initiative

“We continue to see how agriculture is a catalyst to other economic development, so I was very pleased to hear the governor discuss the need to preserve farmland in the Hudson Valley by announcing a $20 million initiative in this year’s budget. Our...

Assemblymember Barrett Supports Recommendation to Ban Hydrofracking

“Our communities have worked hard to protect our natural resources and our beautiful Hudson River because we know how important it is to have a vibrant, safe and healthy water supply. The Department of Health’s recommendation to ban fracking is consistent...

Governor Enacts Barrett’s Lyme Bill

Assemblymember Didi Barrett’s (D-Columbia, Dutchess) bill to improve the care of those suffering from Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses has been signed into law (Chp. 532 of 2014). This new law will allow physicians to prescribe long-term antibiotic...

Area Regional Councils Awarded Over $140 Million

“The Mid-Hudson Valley and Capital regions have been awarded over $140 million by the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) to help strengthen our economy and expand our core industries. The Mid-Hudson Valley has been named a “Top Performer”...

Barrett Encourages the Governor to Sign Important Lyme Legislation

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D – Columbia, Dutchess) announced that legislation she authored that would expand treatment options for patients suffering from Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses has been delivered to Governor Cuomo (A.7558/S.7854). Under...

Barrett’s Bill to Support Senior Farmers Delivered to Cuomo

Continuing her efforts to help strengthen agriculture and better support senior farmers, Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D – Columbia, Dutchess) announced that a bill she authored to support senior farmers was delivered to Governor Cuomo’s desk this...

Assemblymember Barrett: Public Service Commission Needs to Address Local Concerns Before Building New Power Lines

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that she sent a letter to the Public Service Commission (PSC), urging the PSC to consider the outpouring of local feedback as they continue to move ahead on the energy highway proposed for the region. Barrett...

Landmark Lyme Disease Legislation Passes Assembly and Senate

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that legislation she authored, which would allow physicians to prescribe treatment on an individual basis to their patients with symptoms of chronic Lyme disease, including but not limited to the administration...

State Makes Critical Investment in Special Education

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that the state will increase reimbursement rates to special education providers by 3.8%. This critical funding will benefit 853 Schools and Special Act School Districts – many of which are located in...

Assemblymember Barrett to Host Third Public Energy Forum

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that in response to concerns from Hudson Valley residents about rising energy rates, a new capacity zone, and the energy highway she will host the third in a series of public energy meetings in the Town...

Legislation to Improve the Care of Lyme Disease Patients Passes Assembly

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) announced that legislation she authored that authorizes physicians to prescribe long-term antibiotic therapy to a patient with symptoms of chronic Lyme disease has passed the Assembly (A.7558-A). The legislation...

Assemblymember Barrett and Senator Gipson Pass Legislation to Make Wappinger Creek Eligible for Federal Funds

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson) and Senator Terry Gipson (D-Dutchess, Putnam) announced that legislation they authored to define Wappinger Creek as an inland waterway has passed the Assembly and the Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature...

Capacity Zone Update: Revised Proposal Still Includes Rate Increases

“I continue to oppose the implementation of a new capacity zone in the Hudson Valley. The news today that the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) has revised its original proposal is not enough; it still includes a definite rate increase. Whether...