Assembly Will Barclay

This legislation aims to incentivize international trade and create jobs and investment here, rather than abroad.  In certain cases, there are tariffs (tax on imports or exports) that penalize companies for making their product in the United States.

As I write this column, we are closing out on a long week of budget talks and have just passed the state budget in Albany.  I was happy with the budget process.  It was done during the daylight and lawmakers had plenty of time to review the bills before voting.  Again, we met the April 1 deadline–the second time in two years.

The State Legislature has until April 1 to pass a budget on time.  It is expected it will pass on time again this year, which is good news.  There is still much to be decided, not the least of which is funding for schools.

Sportsmen from all over the state will gather in Albany this week.  This is an important day in Albany, as this group draws attention to hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and all terrain vehicles that are significant to our Upstate economy.

This week, I participated in a panel discussion in Albany concerning manufacturing in the state, which was organized by Manufacturers Association of Central New York.  I was among six lawmakers on the panel.  It was informative to hear some of the discussion.

I am a sponsor of legislation that would create a violent felon registry, similar to the sex offender registry.  This registry would enable the public to better protect itself against heinous crimes that cannot be undone.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York announced this month that general business conditions for manufacturers in New York improved — the highest point since June 2010.

My office receives calls on a regular basis from people who are questioning a call they received from a vendor, or a product or service they purchased that isn’t what they expected.  Unfortunately, there are many individuals and businesses that prey on trusting people, especially seniors.