Press Releases

Friend: U.S. Court of Appeals Decision Important in Protecting the Second Amendment

“I am encouraged by the sensible ruling by the 9th circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals that affirms Second Amendment rights. The court’s ruling found the strict limitations placed on gun owners over magazine size by the State of California...

Friend: Forum Testimony Points to Need for Independent Investigation of Nursing Home Tragedy

On Monday, Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) participated in a public forum on the handling of nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was held by Friend and his Assembly and Senate Minority colleagues. The legislators held the...

Friend: Bowling Alley Reopening Is A Move in The Right Direction

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is pleased to hear that bowling alleys have been given the okay and guidance as to how to open safely and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The governor announced that bowling alleys will be able to operate...

Friend Condemns AG Tish James’ Politically Charged NRA Lawsuit

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is slamming NYS Attorney General Leticia James for her politically charged lawsuit against the National Rifle Association (NRA). Her aim is to dismantle one of the leading advocacy groups protecting...

Friend: Governor Needs to Help Schools in Reopening, Not Chastise for State’s Mistakes

On Monday, Aug. 10 the governor said he would block 107 school districts from opening this fall, some of which were in the Southern Tier. However, after the governor’s public shaming of these schools, Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big...

There Is Still Work Ahead

These are challenging times and every action taken by the government must be meaningful and well-thought-out to best serve the needs of all New Yorkers. A staggering amount of New York lives have been lost, especially in our nursing homes. New York workers...

Friend: State Must Allow Businesses to Open to Help State Revenue Problems

“We’re already seeing the negative impact the pandemic has had on our state’s economy and revenue. However, proposals put forward by the governor and state Majority will not make the matter any better. “New York must allow businesses...

Friend Opposes Redistricting Power Grab by Majority

“I oppose this shameless attempt by the Majority to disrupt a fair and independent redistricting process. This unconscionable act has gained criticism from groups like Citizens Union and the League of Women Voters. The removal of the requirement...

Friend Rejects Bill Which Could Open State to Increased Voter Fraud

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) rejected legislation to automatically register voters as they apply for various state services. The assemblyman expressed deep concerns that the legislation could open the state to increased voter fraud....

Friend Calls to Reinstate Public Safety Laws to Protect Victims and Restore Order in State

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) joined his Assembly Minority colleagues and criminal justice officials to call for the reversal of recent pro-criminal laws which have threatened public safety throughout the state. The officials have...

Area Lawmakers, Education Leaders Call on State To Release School Reopening Guidelines

U.S. Representative Tom Reed (R-NY), Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assembly Members Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats), Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia) and Joseph Giglio (R,C,I-Gowanda) today joined regional education...

Friend: Time for Gyms, Malls, and Theaters to Open

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the governor to fully reopen businesses, now. According to federal guidelines, gyms, malls and theaters would have been able to open as early as Phase One, should the metrics warrant it....

O'Mara, Palmesano and Friend Urge Governor to Rescind Proposed Cut to Funding for Persons With Disabilities

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) today called on Governor Andrew Cuomo to rescind a proposed $238 million cut to the state Office of Persons with...

Friend: Time for Gyms, Malls, And Theaters to Open

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the governor to fully reopen businesses, now. According to federal guidelines, gyms, malls and theaters would have been able to open as early as Phase One, should the metrics warrant it....

Southern Tier's State Lawmakers Urge Cuomo to Let Local Leaders Decide on In-Person Graduations

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) continued today to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo to let the Southern Tier’s local officials make the decision...

Regional State Lawmakers Welcome NY's Go-Ahead On Local Road and Bridge Work

State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) and Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) today welcomed the announcement earlier this week that the Cuomo administration is giving counties across the region...

Friend: A Man Dies Because Criminal with a Deep Rap Sheet Released Due to Bail Reform

“The so-called bail reforms implemented this year have been abysmal for public safety, leading to the worse outcome – the loss of life. Tyquan Rivera, a man who shot a police officer and was most recently incarcerated for pushing fentanyl, was...

Friend Calling on Governor to Release Downtown Revitalization Funds to Pay for Promised Owego Main Street Rehabilitation Project

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the governor to release the promised funds for the Owego Main Street Rehabilitation project. The funding has been tied up waiting for approval from the Division of Budget to request it...

Friend: Governor Has to Stop Making Upstate Regions Jump through New Hoops to Reopen

“The governor just keeps moving the goal post on our state in opening back up. The recent revelation that he intends to require the data of each region to be reviewed by a panel of international experts before it can be approved for Phase 2 is stunning...

Friend, O'Mara, Palmesano Call on Cuomo Administration to Release Funding for Local Road and Bridge Work

Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats), State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) are calling on the Cuomo administration to give counties across the region the go-ahead to start this summer’s...