Press Releases

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Announces $119,000 to Promote Traffic Safety in The Town of Poughkeepsie

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Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that she has secured $119,000 for the Town of Poughkeepsie for traffic safety measures, including portable speed radars and trailers, flashing stop signs, and other equipment identified by the...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Urges NYSERDA to Protect EmPower+ Program

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) wrote a letter to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to express her concerns with proposed changes to the EmPower+ Program. This program, administered by NYSERDA, helps...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Passes Package of Bills to Increase Utility Transparency

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) recently passed a package of three bills to increase transparency in New York’s energy sector and protect utility ratepayers. These bills include appointing a consumer advocate to the New York State...

Summer Reading Challenge

Color Our World - New York State Assembly’s 2025 Summer Reading Challenge   New York State Assembly’s 2025 Summer Reading Challenge   Color Our World - New York State Assembly’s 2025 Summer Reading Challenge Bookmark 

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Secures $125,000 for the NorthEast-Millerton Library

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that she secured $125,000 for the NorthEast-Millerton Library. This funding will help the library make renovations and upgrades to the library’s annex building. Since acquiring this building...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Nathalia Fernandez’s Greener Home Improvements Act Signed into Law

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) and Senator Nathalia Fernandez (D Bronx/Westchester) announced that their bill, the Greener Home Improvements Act, has been signed into law (Chapter 590 of 2024). This new law will allow municipalities...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Michelle Hinchey Pledge $750,000 for Stissing Center Renovations

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Pine Plains, NY – Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Michelle Hinchey today announced $750,000 in state funding they’ve pledged to support renovations at the Stissing Center for Arts and Culture in Pine Plains. This funding will allow the Stissing...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett, Speaker Carl Heastie, Senator Michelle Hinchey Announce $2+ Million to Close New Lebanon Landfill

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New Lebanon, NY – Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Columbia/Dutchess Counties), Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-41) announced that they secured $2,000,000+ in the 2024-25 New York State Budget to cap and close the New Lebanon...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Hinchey Announce $250,000 to Upgrade South Millbrook Pump Station

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Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Michelle Hinchey announced that they have secured $250,000 through two state grants to help replace the South Millbrook Wastewater Pump Station, which will enhance its efficiency in managing the flow of wastewater...

Assemblymember Barrett and Senator Hinchey: SITED Act Signed into Law

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (Dutchess/Columbia) and Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-41) announced that the Smart Integrated Tools for Energy Development (SITED) Act has been signed into law (Ch. 759 of 2023). The bill will require New York State to develop...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Michelle Hinchey’s Bill to Help Maximize the Benefits of New York’s Renewable Energy Projects Passes

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) and Senator Michelle Hinchey (D- District 41) announced that the Smart Integrated Tools for Energy Development (SITED) Act has passed in both the state Assembly and Senate (A.2888-A/S.2956-A). The bill...

Assemblymember Didi Barrett Introduces the SITED Act

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that she has introduced the Smart Integrative Tools for Energy Development (SITED) Act, which will require New York State to develop a Clean Energy Mapping Tool to allow communities to identify...

Assemblymember Barrett Calls on Governor to Expand Broadband Infrastructure

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) wrote a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo today calling on New York State to expand broadband infrastructure and urged the State to finish the work promised and partially fulfilled by the Broadband for All...

Assemblymember Barrett’s State Veterans’ Cemetery Legislation Signed into Law, Re-Appointed Chair of Veterans’ Affairs Committee

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and a leader on veterans’ issues in the State Legislature, has announced that her veterans’ cemetery bill was recently signed into law by the...

Assemblymember Barrett Announces New COVID-19 Relief Funding in Columbia County

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D- Dutchess/ Columbia) is pleased to announce two community funds, in partnership with the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, aimed at helping Columbia County not-for-profits...

Assemblymember Barrett Passes Legislative Package Providing Relief to Families, Small Businesses Amid Pandemic

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced she helped pass vital legislation that provides relief for Hudson Valley families and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Barrett is working to ensure our communities receive...

Assemblymember Barrett Announces Pedestrian Safety and ADA Accessibility Enhancements for Hudson

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that the city of Hudson received approval to begin a project that will help improve pedestrian safety and accessibility. Hudson was awarded a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Transportation...

Assemblymember Barrett: Restoration of Honor Act and Other Key Veterans Bills Signed into Law

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that the Restoration of Honor Act, which she authored, was signed into law (Ch. 490 of 2019) by Governor Cuomo on Veterans Day. The measure extends the eligibility for state benefits to veterans...

Key Veterans Legislation Signed into Law on Veterans Day

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that three pieces of veteran-focused legislation that she sponsors were signed into law today as part of Veterans Day bill signings. Assemblymember Barrett is Chair of the Assembly Committee...

Assemblymember Barrett: Legislature Makes Progress in the Fight Against Lyme Disease

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Dutchess/Columbia) announced that she authored and passed legislation to further protect New Yorkers from Lyme and tick-borne diseases by authorizing a study on insurance coverage for Lyme and recommendations for farmers...