Press Releases

News From Assemblymember John McDonald

Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project Grants

Governor Cuomo recently announced nearly $44 million in grants to support essential drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects in the Capital Region. These grants are part of a $255 million statewide investment, funded through New York's...

Assemblymember McDonald to Tour Local Libraries

Weekly Update

2017 Legislative Session - Not over yet!

Much has been discussed in the last few days about the end of the 2017 Legislative Session. Only two days ago the Governor held a press conference to discuss the end of the 2017 session. During that event, he discussed many of the successes in the budget...

Weekly Update June 3rd – June 10th

What's Inside:County Coroners Legislation Excelsior College Program Update Defensive Driving Class at St. Mary's Hospital Library Construction Grants program Rebuilding Together Saratoga County Rensselaer Library Events DMV Email Ticket ScamLegislative...

Weekly Update February 11th, 2017 –February 18th, 2017

Legislative Update: We are now in our third week of budget hearings in the Legislature. This week’s hearings included Mental Hygiene and Taxes. During the Mental Hygiene hearing I was able to question Ann Marie T. Sullivan, M.D., Commissioner...

Happy Holidays from the McDonald Family

Dear Friend: On behalf of Renee, Emma, Liam, Sophia and I, we wanted to share this thought with you during the holiday season that we hope remains with you into the New Year: Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is...

Assemblymember McDonald Comments on Lack of End of Year Legislative Session:

As announced late last night it appears that the end of the year legislative session will not happen after all. Since the Legislature will be reconvening on January 4, I believe that we can address the outstanding issues under consideration at that time....

Weekly Update, December 20-26

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Medical Marijuana It has been two years since the medical marijuana (Med Mar) program here in New York State began. I thought it would be a good time to review a couple items, especially in light of recent changes promulgated...

In The District

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It is always a pleasure to speak to the 5th grade class at Watervliet Elementary School. We read the book “Of thee I sing.” President Barack Obama wrote this book to his daughters to underscore the importance of our diversity and unique abilities...

Small Business Saturday

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Small Business Saturday is tomorrow, November 26th and it is becoming a much more popular event and I for one as a small business owner, former Mayor and now a state legislator am happy to see this event building each year. In 2010, American Express...

Thanksgiving

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Well, today is one of my favorite days of the year. A few interviews, a few Turkey Trots (observation only) and a few work visits with my kids to a couple of the many meal programs to support those in need. Yes, today has a full agenda, then off to the...

Governor Signs Bill A. 9878

I am pleased to announce that bill A09878/S7359, sponsored by myself and Senator Breslin this legislative session has been signed into law today. I am appreciative of Governor Cuomo’s approval of this bill that allows the Capital District Transportation...

Weekly Update August 19th, 2016 – August 26th, 2016

Legislative Update: Organ Donation Bill I am pleased to see that Governor Cuomo signed into a law a bill that I sponsored that permits 16 and 17 year-old’s to sign up to be organ donors. As medicine continues to evolve and the organ donation lists...

Governor Cuomo Signs Bill A.9568A

I am pleased to announce that legislation I authored to expand the timeframe for New Yorkers affected by water contamination to file a personal injury action was signed into law today by Governor Cuomo. Existing state law only allowed for a suit to be...

Weekly Update July 8th, 2016 – July 15th, 2016

Legislative Update: This week Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $10.5 million in funding over five years to support six new Recovery Community and Outreach Centers in communities across New York. Here in the Capital Region the Prevention Council is...

Weekly Update June 24th, 2016 – July 1st, 2016

Legislative Update: Assembly Passes Legislation to Ensure Safe Drinking Water in Schools The Assembly recently passed legislation requiring the state health and education departments to create statewide guidelines for school districts and boards...

Weekly News Update 6/17/16-6/24/16

Legislative Update: Next week we will have a comprehensive end of session update, but for now here are a few highlights from this week! CDTA cab regulation I am very happy to see a bill sponsored by myself and Sen. Breslin, in relation to CDTA...

Weekly News Update 6/10/16-6/17/16

Legislative Update: I recently introduced legislation that would request that the NYS DOH develop and implement an advancement to the NYS Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) to help prescribers identify patients that have had overdosed on either...