Here are some bills introduced by lawmakers that make some of us scratch our heads. Even by Albany’s standards, these are a bit unbelievable. I want to share a few with you this week. A6145—If some New York lawmakers have their way, Happy Meal...

Access to quality healthcare is a necessary component for a thriving community, and we are fortunate to have great healthcare facilities and providers in Central New York. That being said, our healthcare system is under stress because we continue to...

Memorial Day is an American tradition. For generations, our country has set aside this day to honor brave men and women who have fought and died to protect our American freedoms and God-given rights. Civil War veteran and Supreme Court Justice Oliver...

The Oswego County Tourism Department recently held a free luncheon seminar at the Tailwater Lodge in Altmar titled the Tourism Ambassador Program. The event highlighted some of the great assets that our area has to offer. At the end of the day, the...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) presented the Oswego County Child Advocacy Center’s Executive Director Karrie Damm with a resolution acknowledging the work they do to help children who have been sexually abused. April is Child Sexual Abuse...

The Oswego County Child Advocacy Center recently held its annual meeting. One of the best takeaways from the event was learning from the executive director, Karrie Damm, that the annual meeting has grown over the last three years from an intimate gathering...

I am teaming up with the American Red Cross and the Rural Health Network of Oswego County to host a blood drive on May 1 at the Elks Lodge in Oswego. The blood drive will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Oswego Elks Lodge, 132 W. 5th St., Oswego. If...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) announced today that legislation to protect our Second Amendment rights was rejected by the Assembly Majority during a Codes Committee meeting. “This is another example of the Majority’s continued support...

Amid a resurgence in synthetic drug use and reports from area hospitals on the increased number of patients being treated for adverse reactions stemming from synthetic drug use, Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) said today that New York State...

There are a lot of things to be positive about in Central New York. Unfortunately, the economy is not one of them. Over the last decade, job growth in the Syracuse area has been anemic. The lack of jobs, among other things, has caused an outward migration...

One of the claims that Governor Cuomo has made about this year’s state budget is that it includes ethics reforms that will “create the strongest and most comprehensive ethics laws for public officials of any state in the nation.” Because I am not...

At approximately 3 a.m. on April 1st, the New York State Assembly passed the last of 12 bills that make up New York’s 2015-16 budget. The state Senate had passed the legislation about four hours earlier. While technically not on time (pursuant to...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I—Pulaski) announced today that he has renewed his fight against synthetic drugs. Barclay has reintroduced his legislation that would give law enforcement better tools to help discourage synthetic drug use and sales. Barclay...

Domestic violence, harassment, and sexual assault continue to be issues I am concerned about. Studies reveal that this occurs more than many realize. A few new laws were recently chaptered and aim to improve victims’ rights and protections. I supported...

National Ag week was celebrated last week. It’s a week in which we recognize the abundant crops harvested by farmers all over the nation and the contributions they make to the economy. In New York alone, the agriculture industry recorded $5.68 billion...

Recent findings by the Tax Foundation, a Washington-based research organization, should serve as a reminder to the State Legislature and the Governor during this year's budget negotiations that New York needs to decrease spending, reduce state mandates,...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) announced today he was pleased the Assembly finally passed tougher laws against human traffickers. The Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act will create felonies and more offenses, giving law enforcement...

The Assembly Majority’s one-house budget proposal doesn’t create enough opportunities for middle-class families in Central and Northern New York. Absent from the majority’s proposal is meaningful tax relief that would help families struggling...

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) today announced that he is a sponsor of legislation that would prevent all registered sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school. Last month, the New York State Court of Appeals ruled that localities...

The Governor's office announced in 2013 that it would use Microsoft Office365--an email and software management system to consolidate 27 agency email systems, improve access to applications, share calendars in a cloud-based system, and save taxpayer dollars....