Press Releases

Assemblymember Karen McMahon Statement on the Resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo

“Today, Governor Cuomo did the appropriate thing by announcing his resignation which will take effect in 14 days. I look forward to the conclusion of this disturbing chapter and a return to focusing on the multiple challenges facing New York State,...

Assemblymember McMahon Responds to Attorney General’s Report

“This is a truly sad day for the people of New York State. The details of Attorney General James’ report on the claims of sexual harassment against Governor Cuomo are deeply troubling. I reiterate my earlier statement calling on the Governor to step...

Assemblymember Karen M. McMahon’s Response to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s State of the State Address

“The focus of Governor Cuomo’s State of the State Address was, appropriately, our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 is our most urgent threat, and its defeat must be our priority. I am pleased with the Governor’s plan to expand vaccine...

Patience is Key with Vaccine Implementation

With eagerness and a sense of relief, we rang in the New Year this past week and said goodbye to 2020, a year of travail, frustration, and divisiveness. Much of the reason for such hardship in 2020 was, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. It took the lives...

Improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers

Assemblymember McMahon Urges Federal Lawmakers to Fund Behavioral Health and Substance Use Disorders

Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton) is advocating for federal funds for behavioral health care and substance use disorders. In a letter to U.S. Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Assemblymember McMahon and Assemblymember...

Historic Session Yields Progress for our Community

This year’s legislative session has been unlike any other due to the coronavirus pandemic. Although our work in Albany was interrupted, the Assembly convened for a rare summer session over four days last month to address a large volume of bills....

Senator Kennedy and Assemblymember McMahon Call for Insurance Discount for Emergency Vehicle Drivers

Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo) and Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton) have introduced legislation calling for insurance providers to allow discounts to drivers who have been trained to operate an emergency vehicle. First responders who...

Building Trust Between the Police & the Community

As we have recently seen, the tragic and avoidable death of George Floyd brought to the national consciousness a renewed sense of anger and frustration at the many instances in which people of color have been subjected to unnecessary, and sometimes deadly,...

Assemblymember McMahon and Amherst Deputy Supervisor Berger to Deliver Hand Sanitizer, Masks to Reopening Businesses

Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton) and Town of Amherst Deputy Supervisor Jacqui Berger will be delivering hand sanitizer and face masks to businesses in the Village of Williamsville. Assemblymember McMahon and Deputy Supervisor Berger...

Assemblymember McMahon: Assembly's COVID-19 Package Looks Out for Schools, Libraries and Volunteers

Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton) announced she helped pass a package of bills to provide further support to New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the first remote session of the New York State Assembly in history. The package supports...

Assemblymember McMahon: New School Meal Legislation Will Help Support Local Farmers

Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton) introduced legislation that would provide much-needed financial help to local farmers by amending the New York school lunch reimbursement program to allow food used for breakfast programs to count towards...

Senator Brooks and Assemblymember McMahon Call for Increasing Benefits for Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Workers

Senator John E. Brooks (D-Seaford) and Assemblymember Karen M. McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton) have introduced legislation calling for increases in disability benefits for volunteer fire and ambulance workers across the state. New York State law provides...

Assemblymember McMahon: Bail Reform Revisions Will Help Protect Western New York families

“In last year’s budget, the Assembly passed sweeping bail reforms aimed at promoting fairness and transparency in our justice system, which took effect in January. While these reforms were put in place to ensure everyone is treated equally under...

Assemblymember McMahon Urges President Trump to Compel Production of Medical Supplies

Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton) is urging President Donald Trump to invoke the full extent of his authority under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA). In a letter sent to the President today, Assemblymember McMahon pressed that...

Assemblymember McMahon Letter to President Trump in Regards the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA)

Western New York Legislators Pass Legislation to Eliminate ‘Gay Panic’ and ‘Trans Panic’ Defenses

Assemblymembers Pat Burke (D-Buffalo), Karen McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton), Sean Ryan (D-Buffalo) and Monica P. Wallace (D-Lancaster) announced passage of legislation to ban the use of the so-called “gay panic” defense. The legislation prevents...

Assemblymember McMahon’s Legislation Helps Amherst Move Forward with Central Park at Westwood

Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton) announced that she authored legislation that takes the first step toward making the future Amherst Central Park a reality (A.8340). “The Amherst community has long envisioned transforming the Westwood...

Assemblymember McMahon’s Legislation Strengthens Equal Pay Laws, Combats Discrimination

Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton) announced she introduced and passed legislation to help ensure that all New Yorkers receive equal pay for equal work (A.8093). The measure would prohibit differentials in pay based on factors including...

Assemblymember McMahon Passes Legislation to Support Snyder Fire Department

Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst/Pendleton) announced that a bill she sponsored to help the Snyder Fire Department recruit new volunteers and support current volunteers has passed the Assembly (A.7432-A). The bill passed the Senate earlier this...