“Today I joined my colleagues in calling for a restoration of funding for local infrastructure. We are asking to restore $120.6 million in transportation aid cut from last year’s budget and additional funding to maintain local roads, bridges and culverts....

“In the wake of yet another scandal, Assembly Majority has canceled session to help cover for Gov. Cuomo. Our conference attached an amendment to the bills before the house yesterday that would trigger a vote to revoke the governor’s emergency powers....

“As more women come forward, Assembly Majority has continued to cover for Gov. Cuomo. Our Conference once again put forth amendments revoke the governor’s emergency powers, but instead of facing a tough vote, Assembly Majority members wouldn’t even...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,-C,-I-Medford) is pleased to announce that his Resolution to proclaim the month of February as Library Lover’s Month passed the Assembly yesterday. DeStefano has long been a vocal advocate for libraries and recently highlighted...

“The governor has spent several months writing a book, accepting Emmy Awards and lying to the people of New York. Today’s news is stunning; the reports say we were correct in that the numbers were underreported by at least 50%. Nursing home patients,...

“Today is a historic day no matter what side of the aisle you are on, and the peaceful transition of power is key to our democracy. These past few weeks have been both chaotic and confusing for many Americans. This has been a critical time in our nation’s...

“The governor’s budget address was disappointing; he continues to blame Washington for our budget deficit and his shortcomings during the pandemic, while deflecting any blame and begging the next administration to bail us out. Today’s address was...

“The governor’s final speech of the State of the State was just a continuation of his own self-promotion. Green energy, arts and infrastructure are all important, but they fail to bring back the sustainable middle-class jobs lost due to the pandemic....

“The governor’s speeches thus far have been self-promotional. While addressing green energy is important, and while it may bring back jobs, it is going to cost the state a fortune. We are already facing a massive $15 billion budget deficit, spending...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) is calling out Gov. Cuomo on his vaccine distribution plan. The governor recently amended the rules regarding who qualifies. Now people over 65 and public employees, as well as New Yorkers in Phases 1a and 1b,...

“I am disappointed Gov. Cuomo has failed to address the real issues facing Long Islanders and that is the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has halted everyday lives, businesses are shutting down, people are losing jobs, homes, sources of income and...

On August 19, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) stood alongside members of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) to call for passage of a bill he sponsored that would deem any crimes against emergency medical services personnel, fire fighters,...

Gov. Cuomo ordered nursing homes to accept patients from hospitals who tested positive for COVID-19 on March 25. His actions have resulted in the deaths of approximately 6,000 nursing home residents across New York state. The New York State Legislature...

On July 10, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) joined the Assembly Minority Conference and law enforcement officials on a Zoom press conference call to encourage state leaders to tackle the recent increase in violent incidents happening across...

“We’re all outraged at what happened to George Floyd. As a state and a nation, we need to do better. I commend everyone who has peacefully protested and spoken out against racism and violence. However, we cannot let the memory of Floyd be tarnished...

“As session resumed, the progressive, Majority-controlled Assembly showed us once again where their true priorities lie. Session this week was a disappointment. While it was well-intentioned, there was little action done to help our small businesses...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I, Ref-Medford) and the Minority Conference wrote a letter to federal officials urging for financial relief to volunteer firefighters and EMS workers across the state. The Conference will also be introducing legislation...

Local officials and business leaders today called for the declaration of the Coronavirus as an “Act of Terrorism” in order to allow insurance claims based on business disruption to be paid. Speaking at a live-streamed press conference...

“Closed-door meetings, backroom deals, hidden agendas snuck into the budget: is this what our state government has actually come to? The lack of transparency throughout this whole process is just outrageous - especially while our state and the nation...

“As residents are experiencing unprecedented disruptions from the coronavirus, I want to update my constituents on what we’re doing on the state level to fight the contagion and help bring everyone’s lives back to normal as soon as possible....