Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Last week, the Governor presented his State of the State address. This annual tradition, much like the President’s State of Union address, is an opportunity for the Governor to set forth his priorities for the upcoming state legislative session. The State of the State address is usually in the beginning of January but this year it was appropriately delayed due to the passing of the Governor’s father. If you didn’t hear much about the State of the State, it is because the day after the State of the State address long-term State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested for public corruption.

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. Their arguments for upgrading transmission lines are on point. New York’s current energy infrastructure includes approximately 10,900 miles of transmission lines.

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, I hope our state will turn its focus on improving the economy, investing in infrastructure and work toward improving education.

For Christmas, one of the gifts I received was a local food basket. My family and I enjoyed it over the holidays. I am always impressed with the quality and variety of our local producers – from cheese, vegetables, wines and breads. The good news is our economy is benefiting more from these local products.

I, like almost everyone, was sadden 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. Our police officers constantly put their lives at risk to save others and most deserve our respect and admiration. Our families and neighborhoods are safer because of their work and skill, and many wouldn’t venture to put a price on the service they provide.

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 can inspire others to give, and even save a life.
There are countless other volunteer efforts, too various to mention here, but one thing is clear: we are a community of givers. I, for one, am proud to be a part. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Since the passage of Obamacare, polling consistently has shown that it is a very unpopular program with the American people. Against this backdrop, it is surprising that a number of Democratic state legislators want to go a step further than Obamacare and implement a government-run single-payer healthcare system in New York state.

School lunch purchases are on the decline. The decrease in sales coincided with the federal Health Hunger-Free Kids Act, which attempts to curb childhood obesity. Sadly, this federal mandate, though well meaning, has left many school lunch rooms with three problems: wasted food, loss of sales, and higher food costs.

Following the storm’s wake, the Governor made his way to Buffalo and announced that meteorologists did not predict the storm well and residents were not prepared. While some may not have been prepared for the snow totals, it’s doubtful it had anything to do with the lack of weather predictions. According to several reports, New York needs to upgrade its water and sewer systems and, in fact, one report claims that to sufficiently upgrade our systems would cost $36.2 billion over the next 20 years.