Press Releases

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano Demands Forensic Audit of the MTA to Stop Financial Waste

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) is demanding a full forensic audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) following alarming reports of financial waste, fraud and mismanagement. Standing with Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski)...

A Resolution by Assemblyman DeStefano: Honoring Libraries as Pillars of Knowledge and Community

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) has introduced a resolution establishing the month of February as Library Lovers Month. The resolution highlights the essential role libraries play in providing free access to books, digital resources and learning...

Assemblyman DeStefano Backs Smullen’s Traffic Safety Memorial Bill to Honor Victims and Promote Safer Roads

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Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) proudly joined Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to advocate for the passage of Assembly Bill A.3938, the “Alexander John Smullen...

Assemblyman DeStefano Calls for Increased CHIPS Funding to Strengthen Long Island’s Infrastructure

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) announced his continued commitment to securing additional funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) as a critical step toward maintaining and improving the infrastructure...

DeStefano Introduces Resolution Proclaiming January as Thyroid Disease Awareness Month

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) stood on the floor of the Assembly today, January 28, 2025, to introduce a resolution memorializing the month of January as Thyroid Disease Awareness Month. More than 20 million Americans are affected by Thyroid...

DeStefano: There needs to be an Exception to the Electric School Bus Mandate

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) supported his colleagues at a press conference today led by Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) as they were joined by local school superintendents to highlight a proposal that would...

DeStefano Stands in Support of Fixing The Early Intervention Online Hub

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Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) joined fellow Assemblymembers at a press conference to address the need to improve the state’s Early Intervention (EI) Hub. This online service, launched on October 15, is imperative to managing services...

DeStefano on Governor’s Budget Plan

“The governor’s upcoming $252 billion budget proposal represents an alarming escalation in government spending, putting New York taxpayers on the hook for the most expensive budget in state history. With a staggering $19 billion increase over last...

DeStefano Applauds Signing of Amended “Gio’s Law” to Expand Emergency EpiPen Use by First Responders

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) is pleased to announce Gov. Hochul has signed legislation amending the 2019 “Gio’s Law” (A.7961) to clarify that all counties in New York, outside of New York City, can enact local laws allowing law enforcement...

Assemblyman DeStefano, Sen. Murray Hold Bridge Designation Ceremony for Medford FD Commissioner Niel Marturiello

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) and Sen. Dean Murray (R,C-3rd District) hosted a ceremony yesterday at the Medford Fire Department to designate a portion of the state highway system as the “Medford FD Commissioner Niel Marturiello Memorial Bridge,”...

DeStefano Pushes for Parole Board Reforms

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) supported Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt and fellow members of the Assembly and Senate Minority Conferences at a press conference today in West Capitol Park where they continued...

DeStefano: Everyone Should Have Access to FDA-Approved Opioid Reversal Agents

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“I was joined by some of my Assembly colleagues yesterday, May 7, at a press conference to discuss the evolving epidemic here in New York that is the opioid crisis. This crisis has continued to grow significantly, transitioning from prescription drugs...

DeStefano: Volunteer First Responders Finally Getting the Funding They Deserve

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“Last Thursday, I had the opportunity to attend and speak at a press conference hosted by Assemblyman Steve Stern and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine with respect to new legislative initiatives introduced in support of our invaluable volunteer first...

DeStefano: Assembly Majority Approach to State Budget is Broken

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) was joined by his colleagues this morning at a press conference held by Minority Leader Will Barclay and Ways & Means Committee Ranking Minority Member Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) with respect to our state’s broken...

DeStefano: ‘Donate Life’ Needed Now

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Assembly members and other elected officials gathered in the Legislative Office Building in Albany today to honor and celebrate those who have saved lives through the gift of organ, eye and tissue donation for Donate Life Month. Over the past decade,...

DeStefano: New Yorkers Deserve a Tax Code That Will Allow Them to Live Comfortably

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April 15, also known as Tax Day, prompted government officials to gather in the state capital today to speak on New York’s tax policies. Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) held a Tax Day press conference that highlighted...

DeStefano: Help Our Veterans Now!

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) was joined today by his colleagues at a press conference urging the governor to end the unlawful practice of withholding donated tax check-off funds from veteran service agencies and release them immediately. This...

DeStefano: Call for Release of 134 Hostages in Gaza

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford), joined by other members in the Assembly Minority Conference, called for the release of the 134 hostages being held in Gaza. Two New Yorkers are among the hostages being held since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks....

DeStefano Comments on Beginning of State Budget Process with Passage of Debt Service Bill

Today, the Assembly took up the first of its 10 budget bills, the debt service bill, which is necessary to make legally required payments related to the sale and servicing of debt by the state as well as contractual debt agreements with public authorities...

DeStefano: ‘Finders Keepers’ Property Laws Must Change

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Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C-Medford) joined his Assembly colleagues at a press conference today in the New York State Capitol with landlords and small property owners to address alarming squatting-related incidents and necessary fixes to the state’s...