The 2015 Legislative Session has ended. There were many accomplishments, but the list of what did not get done for Upstate is longer. Instead, the end of session was dominated by New York City issues like rent control, property tax exemptions for NYC...

Now that the school year has ended, a great way for children to retain the vocabulary and knowledge they’ve acquired this school year is to encourage them to read each day over the summer. Studies show that reading just 15 minutes a day helps prevent...

"I'm pleased session has ended, and we were able to extend the property tax cap. Still, more needs to be done on scaling back taxes in general, but I'm glad this cap is in place and will continue for at least four more years. We passed an important...

The Legislature recently passed a bill that, if signed by the Governor, would reform the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and expedite the process for those in search of public records. The measure passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) today announced that he is circulating a petition to garner public support for legislation (A5454a) that would help ban synthetic drug sales in retail stores and toughen penalties against sales and use—putting...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) recently presented the board members of the Safe Haven Museum and Education Center with a resolution memorializing Holocaust Remembrance Day. The Safe Haven Museum and Education Center in Oswego commemorates the...

It is not a secret that New York is a challenging state in which to do business because of our high taxes and oppressive regulatory scheme. Some, not all, of these policies originate out of New York City which faces different demographics and economic...

The following is a statement from Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) following the committee vote on Assembly Bill 7878 by the Assembly Committee on Corrections today. The committee advanced a bill that would remove the current residency requirements...

Here are some bills introduced by lawmakers that make some of us scratch our heads. Even by Albany’s standards, these are a bit unbelievable. I want to share a few with you this week. A6145—If some New York lawmakers have their way, Happy Meal...

Access to quality healthcare is a necessary component for a thriving community, and we are fortunate to have great healthcare facilities and providers in Central New York. That being said, our healthcare system is under stress because we continue to...

Memorial Day is an American tradition. For generations, our country has set aside this day to honor brave men and women who have fought and died to protect our American freedoms and God-given rights. Civil War veteran and Supreme Court Justice Oliver...

The Oswego County Tourism Department recently held a free luncheon seminar at the Tailwater Lodge in Altmar titled the Tourism Ambassador Program. The event highlighted some of the great assets that our area has to offer. At the end of the day, the...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) presented the Oswego County Child Advocacy Center’s Executive Director Karrie Damm with a resolution acknowledging the work they do to help children who have been sexually abused. April is Child Sexual Abuse...

The Oswego County Child Advocacy Center recently held its annual meeting. One of the best takeaways from the event was learning from the executive director, Karrie Damm, that the annual meeting has grown over the last three years from an intimate gathering...

I am teaming up with the American Red Cross and the Rural Health Network of Oswego County to host a blood drive on May 1 at the Elks Lodge in Oswego. The blood drive will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oswego Elks Lodge, 132 W. 5th St., Oswego. If...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) announced today that legislation to protect our Second Amendment rights was rejected by the Assembly Majority during a Codes Committee meeting. “This is another example of the Majority’s continued support...

Amid a resurgence in synthetic drug use and reports from area hospitals on the increased number of patients being treated for adverse reactions stemming from synthetic drug use, Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) said today that New York State...

There are a lot of things to be positive about in Central New York. Unfortunately, the economy is not one of them. Over the last decade, job growth in the Syracuse area has been anemic. The lack of jobs, among other things, has caused an outward migration...

One of the claims that Governor Cuomo has made about this year’s state budget is that it includes ethics reforms that will “create the strongest and most comprehensive ethics laws for public officials of any state in the nation.” Because I am not...

At approximately 3 a.m. on April 1st, the New York State Assembly passed the last of 12 bills that make up New York’s 2015-16 budget. The state Senate had passed the legislation about four hours earlier. While technically not on time (pursuant to...