Throughout time, women have played a major role in our nation’s history. First celebrated in 1987, Women’s History Month, observed every March, is when America comes together to pay homage to those women who have blazed trails and made our world a better place. New York State has an exceptionally strong connection with women’s history.
Improving and maintaining local roads and bridges is one investment the state can make that positively impacts our Upstate communities, economies, and motorists. Yet during budget season it is always a challenge to ensure enough state dollars are invested in this type of infrastructure for Upstate.
Our region is home to nearly 30,000 selfless men and women who proudly wore the uniform and fought for our nation’s freedom. Every time I think about the adversity our military veterans faced during their service, and the sacrifices they and their families have made, I am inspired. I also know I am not alone. This region, our home, is one that takes tremendous pride in our veterans and their families.
Our state’s unique forestry and climate, freezing nights and daytime thaws in late winter and early spring, make it perfect for maple syrup production. By all accounts, the industry is showing signs of growth. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, maple syrup production has doubled since 2012 and last year, the number of taps climbed to 2.65 million which was the most state producers have recorded since 1944.
Each winter, fishing enthusiasts wait for the moment our local lakes and rivers freeze over and allow them to get out on the ice for some world-class ice fishing. As state senator, and an outdoor enthusiast, I know this time of year is exciting for so sportsmen, from our region and beyond. However, before you venture out on the ice it is important to make sure you have double-checked your safety list.
Last year, the Assembly Minority Conference hosted a series of forums across the state to better understand the often complex problems associated with domestic violence. During these forums, victims, advocates, service providers, law enforcement, and court personnel provided valuable insights that illustrated how our laws can be improved. As a result, my colleagues and I have recently introduced a package of bills that, if enacted, would close gaps in current law and provide law enforcement with tools they need to ultimately better protect victims of domestic violence.
February is American Heart Month, which is the perfect time to start making small lifestyle changes that strengthen hearts and saves lives. Chances are you or someone you know is battling heart disease. It is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. An estimated 103 million U.S. adults are fighting one of the biggest contributors to heart disease and stroke, and that’s high blood pressure.
The Assembly Majority is once again advancing an early voting bill through committees with a vote expected on the floor in the near future. The Governor is also making his push for early voting in his budget this year. While there are slight differences between the two proposals, both would result in another unfunded mandate and change our current system when it does not need to be changed.
As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I take great pride in the work the committee does each year to support and strengthen New York’s family farms. In 2017, my colleagues and I continued to made great strides towards these goals, securing record state funding for key programs, increasing our efforts to make locally-grown foods more readily available for consumers, helping promote New York’s booming, farm-based craft beverage industry and continuing to encourage young people to pursue careers in farming.
Unfortunately, New York has a habit of creating policies that are punishing to businesses. In the past two years, business owners in New York state have had to ingest several onerous mandates such as new wage orders, higher minimum wages, and a new paid family leave policy. Now the Department of Labor is considering another mandate, known as the “call-in pay” regulation that will, if adopted, place additional strain on those business effected.
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