Assembly Will Barclay

As many of us gather with family and friends over the holidays, some of those celebrations will include special meals and desserts. Because we have access to a wide selection of food year-round at local grocery stores, it is sometimes easy to forget where our food comes from but New York’s farmers are agriculture leaders.

On December 16, the law allowing undocumented immigrants the ability to obtain a New York State driver’s license went into effect. The fact that this is now the law is a stunning reversal from 12 years ago when then-governor Elliot Spitzer proposed the measure.

For the last nine years there has been a national effort to collectively support local businesses with Small Business Saturday. Since 2010, this initiative has served as a reminder that gifts and services purchased locally for the holidays supports businesses and jobs in our backyards.

The Division of Budget recently released its mid-year financial plan update which shows that the state is facing its largest budget gap since the recession in 2010. This time, however, the economy is not to blame. It is largely Medicaid that is causing the gap.

In Albany, there are a number of ways that legislation comes about. At times, a legislator will introduce a bill addressing a circumstance that personally affected that legislator.

Student loan debt and the high cost of living can make it difficult for many to achieve the dream of owning a home. To try to help, I have drafted and introduced legislation that would incentivize graduates of New York state colleges to purchase homes rehabilitated by local land banks.

With an estimated 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 each day and approaching retirement, there is a growing need to find qualified individuals to fill jobs across many employment sectors.

In New York, convicted felons are not allowed to vote until their sentence has been served. Voting rights are automatically restored after the sentence is completed.

Week of October 28, 2019
On Nov. 11, our country will celebrate Veterans Day. This day provides our nation the opportunity to honor all those who served and sacrificed for our country.