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This July and August, the Assembly passed legislation that will help New Yorkers during this unprecedented crisis. I combined my monthly newsletter for July and August because of my frequent COVID-19 updates. Check out my legislative efforts and community events from the past two months below.
Please note that this will be my last newsletter for 60 days because of NYS Assembly rules that prohibit mass communication sent from an Assembly member’s email who is on the ballot for the November election. |
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In early July, I went to Albany for a legislative session where the New York State legislature was able to pass numerous laws including a bill I introduced- the Randy Preston Road Salt Reduction Act. This bill is so incredibly important for our region because of how road salt seeps into our drinking water and our environment, and this bill is a step forward in preventing further pollution of our waterways. Check out my interview about the Adirondack Road Salt Bill on the Capital Pressroom to find out more about why this law is so important to the North Country.
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During the past two months I also attended various committee meetings to help push important legislation forward and to address pressing issues that New York is facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In late July, I was pleased to participate in an Agriculture Committee meeting on Promoting Equity in Agriculture and Food Systems to discuss a more diverse, inclusive, socially and economically just future for farming. I also testified at the Wage Board hearing at the end of August to keep the 60-hour overtime threshold for the agricultural industry. Farmers are already struggling and I will continue to stand up to protect all the family farms across the North Country. At the legislative hearing on nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic in August, I questioned state leaders about the strict restrictions that have kept so many nursing homes from allowing visitation. Additionally, I spoke at a Veterans Committee meeting to ask our officials important questions about vital mental health and substance use resources for our veterans.
Click here for the nursing home testimony.
Click here for my video from the Veterans Committee hearing.
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| Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our relationship with Canada has remained a priority. In July, I was honored to be named co-chair of the Canada-U.S. Relations Committee for The Council of State Governments-East (CSG-East) and look forward to representing the strong partnership between the North Country and our northern neighbors. In August as co-chair for this committee, I hosted a session on the relationship between Canada and the United States in the aftermath of the COVID-19 for the CSG-East annual meeting. Last week, I was also proud to introduce a resolution at a CSG-East committee meeting about the aluminum tariff that was implemented in early in August- it was unanimously passed. Additionally, I participated in a call about the Canada-United States border hosted by Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in July because I understand how important it is for the North Country to reopen the border not only for our local economy but for my constituents who have family and friends in Canada. |
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The COVID-19 pandemic is constantly changing the economic and political landscape, but I continue to advocate for the North Country’s needs. The number of positive cases in our region remains low proving that our local businesses and industries can reopen safely and responsibly. In July, I was proud to join Senator Betty Little at a press conference at Lucky Strikes Bowling Alley in Malone to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo to provide guidance to safely reopen more industries. Keeping movie theaters, gyms and health centers, and bowling alleys closed only hurts small businesses across our region that are already bleeding because of the Canadian border restriction and I have been continuously advocating for these industries to reopen.
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The impact of this pandemic goes beyond our local economy. Many of our loved ones at nursing homes have not been able to see their friends and family for months and it is taking a toll on their mental health and overall well-being. In July, the State released new guidelines so that visitors would be allowed at nursing homes again, but the guidance was so restrictive only about 30% of nursing homes were able to allow visitors. It is possible for visitors to return to nursing homes safely and that is why I hosted a press conference at Meadowbrook Healthcare to call on the State to revisit nursing home guidance so that residents can be reunited with their loved ones.
School districts have also been adjusting to the pandemic, and I have been in constant communication with superintendents, teachers, and parents. At the end of July, I held a meeting with superintendents and teachers from around my district to listen to their needs and concerns as school leaders developed reopening plans. I have continued to call upon Governor Cuomo to support our school districts during this process and I asked for more guidance for school reopenings be released and also requested that the State provide PPE and other necessary supplies for keeping our schools safe.
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| I also hosted a press conference at the Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country where I joined their executive director Jamie Basiliere, John Bernardi from the United Way of the Adirondacks, and Kris Tate from Plattsburgh YMCA to call on the State to release funds for childcare that was delegated under the CARES act. I was also interviewed by WIRY and MyNBC5 about reopening correctional facilities to visitation. Additionally, I joined Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and other local officials at the Clinton County Government Center in a bipartisan call upon the federal government to provide funding for state and local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a former county legislator and Mayor of Chateaugay, I understand how important federal assistance is for state and local governments in sustaining our communities and I will continue to work with our federal representatives to make sure that the North Country receives the support we need to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Giving Back to the North Country
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Many people across the North Country are struggling to make ends meet because of the COVID-19 pandemic and I believe it is part of my job as your representative to give back to the community whenever I possibly can. Throughout July and August I have volunteered to give out hundreds of gallons of milk and hundreds of boxes of produce at various milk drive-thrus and food giveaways from Saranac Lake to Malone. In August, I traveled around Franklin County to deliver milk to people who were unable to attend the food giveaway events. These important food giveaways were thanks to Glaziers and other community organizations such as JCEO and the Saranac Lake Rotary Club. I also donated over 200 dry erase markers to be distributed at a school supply drive hosted by Malone Central School District. As a member of the New York State Assembly Aging Committee, I also find it important to support senior citizens during this pandemic and that is why I attended a fundraiser for the Malone Adult Center at Pete’s Pulled Pork in August with my daughter Ella. |
| The COVID-19 pandemic has not eradicated the North Country of its issues with addiction. Overdoses are at an all time high during the pandemic and it is unacceptable that the state is cutting funding to the Office of Addiction Services and Support (OASAS) while these numbers continue to increase. In July, I met with both Michael Carpenter of MHAB and Connie Wille from the Champlain Valley Family Center to discuss how these cuts will impact their ability to support those struggling with addiction and to learn more about what I can do to continue to support these important services. |
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| Racism and bigotry across the North Country also need to be addressed. In early July, I was disheartened to learn that the director of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative moved out of the village of Saranac Lake after finding racist graffiti in town, and even more disheartened when racist graffiti was found days later at the Cadyville Recreation Park. However, change starts from within and that is why I am proud to be a part of LINC and their efforts to bridge the relationship between Plattsburgh State students and the community in addition to attending trainings and webinars such as the Supporting Black Employees hosted by Dr. Michelle Cromwell, the director of diversity and inclusion and Plattsburgh State University. |
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It was nice to return to some sort of normalcy by attending a few small gatherings and meetings in July and August. I visited the Houndsville Bridge in Malone to check on the progress of this project after I was able to secure funding for its repair and I also toured the Plattsburgh YMCA to learn more about the work they have completed to prepare for reopening. In August, I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the North Franklin Credit Union and in July I joined Chateaugay officials and Rotarians at the Main Street Village park in my hometown of Chateaugay to see the improvements made possible by funding from the Rotarians, Senator Betty Little, and my office.
At the beginning of the month, I was honored to participate in the partnership signing between SUNY Empire State College, the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and Clinton Community College for agreements that will help employees of member organizations earn degrees at a lower cost and less time, and allow students from Clinton Community College to seamlessly transfer to Empire State College to obtain a higher degree. Workforce development initiatives are so incredibly important for our regional economy and this partnership will undoubtedly help so many in the North Country in their education endeavors while also helping employers retain their workforce.
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| There were also many reasons to celebrate in our district this month. I was proud to attend the Churubusco Fire Department 50 Anniversary Celebration and recognize Ross Poupore for 50 years of service. It was also my pleasure to attend birthday celebrations for Chris Trombley’s 50 birthday and Charlie Smith’s 96 birthday and to present them both with a New York State Assembly Citation. I would be remiss if I did not mention the car parade for WWII Army Nurse Dorothy LeClair’s birthday in August; even though I was unable to attend the parade, I did send her a video to wish her a happy birthday. I also visited the Adirondack Daily Enterprise to honor Cathy Moore’s retirement after over 50 years in journalism. At the end of July, I was pleased to stop by the Ozyesil’s Adoption Day Celebration to congratulate them for adopting their foster child after their original adoption day was delayed due to COVID-19. Festivities like these remind us that there are many reasons to celebrate the North Country even during a global pandemic. |
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