Oswego County TodayAssembly Minority Leader Will BarclayFREE Independent News for Oswego County

Road and Bridge Funding Needed in Upstate

March 18, 2019 Contributor

The New York State Comptroller estimates there will be $89 billion in unmet local infrastructure needs over the next 20 years with as much as $27.4 billion needed for bridges alone. The responsibility to take care of these major infrastructure costs, however, lies on the backs of local taxpayers with 87% of the state’s roads and half of the state’s bridges up to localities to maintain.

[…]

Ambulance Service in Jeopardy with Proposed Budget Cuts

March 11, 2019 Contributor

Our local ambulance companies and volunteer organizations provide a critical service to residents in need of medical transport.Many of us take for granted that calling 911 will result in the safe and fast transport of patients in an emergency.

[…]

Budget Must Keep Middle Class Tax Cut, Fund Local Roads and Libraries

March 4, 2019 Contributor

There is a little less than a month before the 2019-20 New York State budget is due. Last week, I joined some of my Assembly colleagues in Albany to push for priorities we would like to see in the budget. These priorities include keeping the middle class income tax cut, restoring funding for libraries and helping families, localities, and small businesses.

[…]

Direct Service Professionals Deserve Better Pay

February 25, 2019 Contributor

There are thousands of direct service professionals across the state who work to provide quality care to the elderly, developmentally disabled, and to those struggling with addiction. Yet with all the responsibility they are given, their wages continue to be historically low.

[…]

Small Business Employment Act Would Provide Relief Business Owners Need

February 18, 2019 Contributor

New York has a reputation for enacting policies that are punishing to businesses. Over the past three years, business owners have had to absorb onerous mandates such as new fast food wage orders, higher minimum wages, and a paid family leave policy. These policies come on top of other regulatory burdens and high tax rates that make our state less competitive than other states.

[…]

February is National Heart and ‘Go Red for Women’ Month

February 11, 2019 Contributor

February is National Heart Month and a time each year that people “Go Red For Women.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease was the number one killer in our state in 2015.

[…]

Bill Provides Support for Victims of Child Abuse

February 4, 2019 Contributor

After more than a decade, and much discussion, the State Legislature reached a general consensus and passed the Child Victims Act. The legislation significantly extends the time a child abuse victim can pursue a criminal or civil claim.

[…]

Barclay Executive Budget Fails to Address Upstate Concerns

January 28, 2019 Contributor

In an attempt to get ahead of the legislature, on January 15 the Governor gave his annual budget address. In the address, the Governor laid out what most would consider a very liberal agenda. Sadly, there was nothing in his address that offers relief to the overtaxed citizens of Upstate New York or to stem the continued outward migration of people from New York state.

[…]

Primary Dates in New York to be Consolidated

January 21, 2019 Contributor

The idea that citizens have the right to be self-governed was the cornerstone political belief of our founding fathers and the fact that we have the ability to choose our political leaders is as important today as it was at the time of our country’s founding.

[…]

2019 Legislative Priorities

January 14, 2019 Contributor

On Wednesday, the State Legislature gaveled in for the first time this year marking the start to the 2019 Legislative Session. I look forward to this day. It brings a renewed sense of hope and change for the upcoming year and allows for the opportunity to set priorities for this session with my colleagues.

[…]