Do We Need All The Regulations We Have?
May 9, 2011
You may have heard about the State Health Department’s intentions to start regulating sports like wiffle ball, freeze tag and capture the flag a couple weeks back. Some at the State Health Department considered these sports dangerous. The idea of...
Leaders Meet to Discuss Future of Birdseye
May 5, 2011
Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) met with leaders from New York State, Oswego County and Fulton, as well as Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Oswegatchie) today to discuss the future of the Birdseye Plant.
“I’m pleased we’re continuing an open...
Record High Trout Numbers Indicate Promising Fishing Season
May 2, 2011
With the spring weather finally upon us, anglers are out. It looks like this fishing season will be as promising as ever, particularly later this season. Recently published reports by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) indicate...
Lack of Vitamin D linked to Multiple Sclerosis
Apr 25, 2011
Last month was National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month. Multiple sclerosis, or MS, as it is more commonly referred to, is a debilitating disease that attacks a person’s central nervous system. About 400,000 Americans suffer from...
Farmers’ Markets Provide Easy Way to Buy Local
Apr 23, 2011
Despite one of the soggiest springs on record, many farmers have been able to plant their crops by now. That’s good news for everyone. Agriculture is a driving force in our economy. In 2009, agricultural production returned almost $4.7 billion to...
Barclay, Ritchie React to Birds Eye Closure
Apr 15, 2011
Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) and Senator Patty Ritchie (R,C—Oswegatchie) today said they are disappointed that the owner of the Fulton Birds Eye plant has announced the company will close the plant in six months.
“I am saddened and...
New Program Helps Local Farmers, Businesses with More Affordable Power
Apr 13, 2011
Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I,-Pulaski) helped pass a new pro-business program, Recharge NY, in the economic development portion of the budget. The program extends the Power for Jobs and Energy Cost Savings Benefit programs until July 1, 2012, and...
Budget Reduces Spending, Does Not Include New Taxes, But Brings Steep Cuts
Apr 11, 2011
I am pleased to report that the state budget passed on time this year. It finally put the brakes on spending, and did not include any new taxes or revenue streams. In the last two years, taxes and fees increased by $10 billion. This tax-and-spend mentality...
Law Designed to Protect Newborns; Local Agencies Raise Awareness of Child Abuse
Apr 4, 2011
This month is Child Abuse Awareness Month. Local agencies, as well as social workers, school district employees, law enforcement officials, daycare and health care workers, help protect and identify abused children. By law, workers in these fields are...
This Year’s Budget: Tough But Keeps Line On Spending, No New Taxes
Mar 31, 2011
Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) issued the following statement today after the budget passed when session continued late into the night:
“I’m pleased the budget was enacted—on time and without new taxes. By no means was this an ideal...
Census Reveals Upswing in Population
Mar 28, 2011
The Census 2010 data was released Thursday and the news is surprising. Many places in Upstate and Central New York have gained population. According to the data, immigration is up in our region. Certain pockets within suburban areas have gained residents...
Assembly Passes Spending Plan; Schools Hit by Aid Disparity; Sales Tax Exemptions
Mar 21, 2011
This past week in Albany proved to be eventful, once again. There was a good deal of progress made on budget negotiations. For the first time in two years, joint conference committee meetings were held. These committees enable lawmakers from both sides...
Barclay to Serve on Higher Ed Conference Committee
Mar 16, 2011
Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) has been appointed to serve on the Higher Education Joint Conference Committee as the Legislature undergoes meetings to negotiate the budget. This is the first time in two years Joint Conference Committee meetings...
Drug Testing for Public Assistance Applicants Would Help People Access Care
Mar 14, 2011
I recently signed onto legislation that, if passed, would require those applying for public assistance to undergo a drug test. This is a small request to make of any applicant seeking public assistance. If the applicant tests positive for drug use,...
Tax Cuts Spur Economic Growth
Mar 7, 2011
Anyone who receives a paycheck noticed a positive difference in their take-home pay beginning last month. That’s because the federal government instituted a 2% Social Security tax cut, which is based on income. Though 2% doesn’t sound like a lot,...
Preventative Medicine Worth Billions to Country’s Bottom Line
Feb 28, 2011
We all know that saying: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Whether we’re considering our personal health or the overall community’s health, this is sage advice. Economically, preventative medicine makes sense, and can save us billions...
Ag Literacy Week Provides Opportunity for Primary Grades
Feb 22, 2011
New York Agriculture in the Classroom will sponsor Ag Literacy Week March 21-25. Second-grade classrooms are encouraged to participate.
Ag Literacy Week provides an opportunity for someone from the local ag community to visit an elementary school...
Job Creation Key to Economic Turnaround
Feb 7, 2011
Things are in full swing in Albany. Last week, the Governor submitted his budget to the State Legislature. Not surprisingly, this budget proposes substantial cuts to government programs. It proposes to decrease spending by $3.7 billion, for a $132.9...
Governor’s Budget Outlines Good Starting Point For Discussion
Feb 1, 2011
“I agree: Real change is tough but this current level of spending is unsustainable. We spend more than we make, which is why taxes and fees in the last two years increased by $10 billion. If we continue with our current budget policies and law, the...
Kidneys Play Important Role in Overall Health
Jan 31, 2011
More than 26 million American adults have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and millions more are at risk and do not know it. Diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to CKD. Chronic kidney disease means that the kidneys have been damaged.
If kidney...