The second biggest budget item in the state budget is education, which is right behind healthcare. Last year, the state spent $22.3 billion on education. In 2012, combined with the local and federal share of education, New Yorkers spent $58.4 billion...

There have been a number of national and local news stories reporting on the increased cases of measles. The cases have primarily been located in California. However, nationally, the number of cases of measles in the U.S. grew to 635 in 2014—more...

We have heard a lot from the Governor’s office about the success of New York’s Health Exchange. The exchange was set up pursuant to ObamaCare which mandates that all Americans obtain health insurance. The exchanges, which are either set up by individual...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I--Pulaski) released the following statement today after a new Speaker, Carl Heastie, a Bronx lawmaker, was elected to the position by the Assembly Majority today at 11 a.m. This is the first time a new Speaker has been elected...

It is a tumultuous time in the New York State Assembly. Long-time serving Speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver, has been arrested for public corruption. After initially standing by Silver, claiming, amazingly, that his arrest will not be a distraction,...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I--Pulaski) said today that whoever the new Speaker will be must embrace reforming the Assembly rules and help pass meaningful ethics reform. Barclay said the time is now for change in light of last night's announcement that...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) announced today that there is still time for volunteer firefighters to receive tuition reimbursement through the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY). FASNY has developed the Higher Education...

Last week, the Governor presented his State of the State address. This annual tradition, much like the President's State of the Union address, is an opportunity for the Governor to set forth his priorities for the upcoming state legislative session....

Assemblyman Will Barclay released the following statement today following news that Speaker Silver was arrested on bribery and public corruption: “Speaker Silver’s recent federal corruption charges are a distraction to our work in the chamber....

The Governor's proposals were hardly revolutionary, but give us a starting point in the budget process. I was pleased to see overall spending kept in line--less than a 2% increase over last year. I'm pleased he wants to invest more in Upstate New...

A 2012 report created by the Energy Highway Task Force— a task force led by key representatives from the fields of energy, environmental conservation, and economic development—cited the critical need for improving transmission lines across the state....

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) reminded farmers today of new grant monies available for innovative, emerging farms and the deadline for applications is January 28. Barclay supported putting $1 million in the 2014-2015 state budget to fund...

With a new year comes new commitments and renewed hope. Last week, the Assembly welcomed new representatives. The swearing-in ceremony reminds all who attend to renew our commitment to public service. As we await the Governor’s State of the State address,...

For Christmas, one of the gifts I received was a local food basket. This was much appreciated. It contained locally made sauce and artisan pasta as well as locally grown onions and some locally made candy. My family and I enjoyed it over the holidays....

I, like almost everyone, was saddened and troubled when I heard about the two NYC police officers who were assassinated last weekend. They were shot as they sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn by a deranged man named Ismaaiyl Brinsley. Prior to the shooting,...

There are many in our local communities who donate their time and talents to make sure that others do not go without around the holidays. I like reading the news this time of year and finding stories about charities that were helped or how one person...

Since the passage of Obamacare, polling consistently has shown that it is a very unpopular program with the American people. Indeed, as has recently been reported, Dr. Gruber--one of the so-called architects of Obamacare--was recorded as saying that...

The New York State Art Teachers Association (NYSATA), in partnership with the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), is holding its 25th Annual Legislative Student Art Exhibit March 2, 2015. The exhibit will be on display in Albany at the “Well”...

School lunch purchases are on the decline. According to the New York School Nutrition Association, more than 19 million fewer meals across the state were sold during the 2012-13 school year than the year before. In the 2011-12 school year, 94 million...

Snowfall totals that came with the historic arctic storm earlier this month made national headlines. Erie and Wyoming counties reported 80 inches of snow. Parts of Jefferson, Lewis and Oswego counties reported more than 30 inches and as many as 50 inches....