Press Releases

Local Adoption Day Event Celebrates Children and Families Who Find Forever Homes

On Friday, Nov. 17 the OnCenter will once again host a National Adoption Day celebration. The day is part of a collective effort to help raise awareness of the more than 110,000 children in foster care across the nation waiting to find permanent homes....

New York Offers Employment, Education Benefits to Veterans

November 11th is Veterans Day. This day provides our nation the opportunity to celebrate and honor all those who served and sacrificed for our country. Because veterans have given so much to our country we, as US citizens, either through our government...

Barclay Reacts to Salmon River Fish Hatchery Improvements

Quote from Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) for inclusion in press release titled “DEC Announces Improvements to Salmon River Hatchery” “The Salmon River Fish Hatchery has made our area a world-class fishing destination. Anglers from...

New York’s Paid Family Leave Creates More Costs for Employers, Employees

New York has a habit of enacting policies that, rather than finding a balance, addresses the issue by creating burdensome regulations that are costly, overreaching and often untested. Nowhere is this more evident than with the paid-family leave program...

Lauren’s Law Becomes Permanent to Help More New Yorkers Register as Organ Donors

In 2008, an 8-year-old Stony Brook, NY resident named Lauren Shields was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and heart disease. Doctors determined that Lauren’s condition was life threatening and in order to survive, she would need a heart transplant. On...

Amend New York’s ATV Law to Increase Tourism

New York’s tourism industry is alive and showing signs of growth. According to a recent study of the state’s tourism industry, it is estimated that 239 million visitors traveled to New York State in 2016. These visitors had an estimated economic...

Commission for the Blind Assists with Independence, Employment

New York has a long history of helping those who are blind live independently.  For more than 100 years, the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) has assisted people in achieving their personal and vocational goals.  The commission was...

Allowing Youth Firsthand Experience in Government Empowers Future Leaders

I am often invited to speak to school-aged kids and during these visits a common question kids have for me is what does it means to be a good citizen. The question itself is inspiring because it means they are searching for ways to be good citizens....

Youth Big Game Weekend Provides Guided, Hands-on Learning Opportunity

Upstate New York has some of the best hunting, trapping and fishing in the country with thousands of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and millions of acres of forest and open space that are rich in wildlife. Those who venture out to hunt and fish tend to...

Report Shows Shrinking Labor Force in Upstate; More Business Friendly Policies Needed

Unemployment rates are often viewed as an indicator of how the economy is doing. While these rates provide valuable insight on economic activity, because of how the unemployment rates are calculated, they should not be the sole assessment in determining...

New Bill Aims to Reduce Liability for Agri-tourism

Agricultural tourism is a growing component within New York's $6.36 billion agriculture industry. More and more farms are inviting the public to have a firsthand experience on the farm and hosting farm tours where visitors can learn about farm operations....

More Outdoor Recreation in Schools Would Improve Children’s Health and Access to Hunting and Fishing

A few years ago I had the opportunity to chair the Assembly Minority Hunting and Fishing Task Force. During that time, the task force held forums and listened to outdoor enthusiasts throughout the state. A primary objective of the task force was to examine...

Barclay Encourages Participants to Send in Completed Summer Reading Challenges

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski) today reminded children who are participating in this year’s Assembly Summer Reading Challenge to send in their completed challenge forms. Students who read at least 15 minutes per day for 40 days between...

State Fair Promotes Agricultural Traditions and Family Fun

The Great New York State Fair will once again kick off on Aug. 23 and run until Monday, Sept. 4. Last year, more than 1 million people attended the fair which features animal exhibits, concerts, horse shows, the famous butter sculpture, history, youth...

529 ABLE Savings Accounts Available Now to Individuals, Families with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities and their family members now have a new way to save and plan for future expenses. New Yorkers can now open a tax-deferred 529 Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account. The accounts are a savings option for families...

Barclay: Grant and Zero-Interest Loan to Assist Phoenix with Water Projects

“I am glad the Village of Phoenix was awarded this grant and the zero-interest financing to help facilitate improvements to public water projects. This state funding will help reduce the costs of this project and keep the Village of Phoenix moving...

Ritchie, Barclay to Host Additional Informational Meeting on Lake Ontario Flood Recovery Program in Mexico

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Sen. Patty Ritchie (R—Oswegatchie) and Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref—Pulasi) will host an informational meeting together with Neighbors of Watertown on the Lake Ontario Flood Recovery Program Tuesday, Aug. 15 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Mexico...

Craft Beverages Given More Support in State Law

The craft beverage industry is among the fastest-growing industries in New York with nearly 900 licensed manufacturers in the state. Part of this growth has to do with the state’s focus in recent years on trying to make it easier for craft beverage...

Resources Available for Homeowners to Protect from Scams

A home is one of the biggest investments a family can make and with homeownership, repair projects are inevitable. In some cases, homeowners can perform the work that needs to be done but in other cases, hiring a contractor is necessary. Unfortunately,...

Barclay Announces State Aid for Library Construction

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski) announced today that the Baldwinsville, Fulton and Mexico public libraries have been awarded funding as part of the $19 million in capital funds for public library construction provided in the 2017 State Budget....