As a mother and a grandmother, I know how important it is to safeguard our children from harm and to deter them from picking up habits that could negatively affect their health. That’s why I’m pleased to report that legislation that I sponsor that bans the use of electronic cigarettes, commonly known as e-cigarettes, on school property is now headed to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.
New York State is a difficult state to govern in light of the upstate downstate divide. This divide generally, but not always, translates into differing policy priorities between the more populated areas of the state versus the less populated areas. The suburbs often represent the swing vote swaying between a more conservative or a more liberal ideology on various issues. On top of that challenge, there is the increasing struggle between the legislative and executive branch of state government.
With the summer season in full swing, many people are seeking out new and exciting things to add to their warm weather to-do-list. For this month’s “Community Spotlight,” I am showcasing the upcoming Bassmaster Elite Series Fishing Tournament, which will take place in Waddington from July 20 to 23.
Two hundred years ago, the first ceremonial shovelful of dirt was dug on the Erie Canal near Rome, NY. In July 1817, New York officially undertook construction of what would become the longest artificial waterway and greatest public works project in North America. This year marks the bicentennial of the Erie Canal, a milestone that provides a good reason to look back at our history and appreciate the engineering marvel that is the Erie Canal.
With schools across Central and Northern New York wrapping up classes for the summer, kids and their parents are always looking for something fun and exciting to do. To help families make reading a part of their summer vacations, I am encouraging students to participate in the New York State Senate’s Summer Reading Program. This special initiative helps children have fun, prevents learning loss and allows students to strengthen the skills they have already learned throughout the school year.
Albany’s corruption challenges are well-documented and unfortunately the problems have ensnared both the legislative and the executive branches. In November of last year, eight people were indicted by a federal grand jury on corruption charges related to the state’s economic development programs.
Since 2005, the infection rate in St. Lawrence County from Lyme, which is spread through the bite of tiny ticks, has grown 95 times, from virtually zero to more than 100 victims a year. Meanwhile, the statewide rate has increased by about half that amount. According to a 2015 report, Jefferson County saw 60 reported cases of Lyme disease, while Oswego County documented 51 cases of this tick-borne illness.
National Dairy Month started in 1937 to promote drinking milk and has evolved into a way to celebrate our dedicated dairy farmers who produce milk, award-winning cheeses, and value-added dairy products. Dairy farming represents the largest component of the state’s agricultural sector and accounts for nearly half of all agricultural receipts in New York.
I know how devastating the high water levels are for so many people in our region and I want to share new information to help homeowners, municipalities and businesses impacted by flooding on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
During these last weeks of the 2017 Legislative session, I am pushing for increased penalties for synthetic drug dealers, legislative ethics and rules reform, oversight of economic development programs, and financial assistance for flood victims.
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