Santabarbara Assembly Update Blog

New Laws to Support People with Disabilities and Their Families

New Yorkers with disabilities are an integral part of our communities and that’s why we’re taking steps to ensure we never leave people with intellectual and developmental disabilities behind. It’s imperative that the state’s COVID-19 recovery...

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day – 80th anniversary of the date that lives in infamy

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On December 7, 1941 – “a date that will live in infamy” – the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor was attacked during World War II. On that day, America changed forever.Today, on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor those we lost,...

Telehealth Services Improve Accessibility For Individuals With Autism

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According to the new CDC report, approximately 1 out of 44 children in the United States live with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). My son is one of those individuals, so I know firsthand some of the many struggles that can come with safely accessing health...

DRIve EV Downtown Amsterdam

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The city of Amsterdam has welcomed a whole new set of electric vehicle charging stations this month, an excellent addition to the city and a smart investment in our future. As a part of the New York Power Authority and New York State Department of State’s...

Making Amsterdam a Better, Safer, And Greener Community

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An additional $1.6 million in funding that I helped secure in last year’s state budget will help make smart and innovative improvements to our city’s infrastructure by upgrading outdated software, making the switch to LED lights, funding healthcare...

Honoring Our Local Vietnam Veterans

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The new Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park located on the SUNY Schenectady campus is the first park in Schenectady County to honor our brave local heroes, a milestone that is long overdue. It was an honor to be a part of the unveiling ceremony and have the...

Autism Nature Trail

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Over the last 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to make significant changes in our daily routines. After mandatory shutdowns moved us into virtual learning, remote office work and indoor isolation for months, many of us discovered a newfound...

Honoring Local Reverend Phil Grigsby

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A heartbreaking reality of this pandemic has been the rise in food insecurity across the state and nation. From unexpected food shortages to job losses, many families have been left wondering where their next meal will come from. Thankfully, volunteers...

Preventing Future Tragedy With The Limo Passenger Safety Task Force

Three years ago, a stretch limousine crashed in Schoharie County, claiming the lives of 20 people. The October 2018 crash was the nation’s deadliest transportation accident in nearly a decade. Our community still aches for the tremendous loss experienced...

Fighting for Our St. Clare's Pensioners

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The COVID-19 pandemic underscored just how important health care workers are to maintaining nearly every aspect of our society. Over the past two years, we’ve rightly praised these heroes for their hard work and dedication in protecting our communities...

9/11 – 20th Anniversary Memorial Service

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On a Tuesday morning 20 years ago, the world changed forever. No matter where you were on September 11, 2001, you can recall how you felt. Two planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, a third plane hit the Pentagon in Washington,...

Armed Forces Day At The Altamont Fair

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I couldn’t be happier to be back at the Altamont Fairgrounds, especially on Armed Forces Day. Like many in our community, I was disappointed that the fair was canceled last summer to keep us safe from COVID-19. This time around, with necessary safety...

New York State Assembly's Annual Summer Reading Challenge

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There’s nothing quite like diving into a good book. Earlier this summer, I invited local kids to participate the New York State Assembly’s annual Summer Reading Challenge, held in partnership with New York State Libraries, and I am pleased to announce...

Supporting Our Community Through The Red Cross

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Our community has always come together to help one another in times of need. Whether it’s overcoming unprecedented challenges during the pandemic or supporting local families following a tragedy, you can count on some helping hands to reach out. One...

Professional Engineers Day - Celebrating This Esteemed Profession

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Today marks the sixth annual Professional Engineers Day. This is an opportunity to raise awareness about this important profession and show appreciation for the hardworking people who play such a vital role in our communities. The oath of integrity and...