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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Linked Deposit Program Assists Job Growth

In 1994, the state began what’s called the Linked Deposit Program. LDP began as a way to assist and encourage manufacturers and small businesses to undertake investments, which would ultimately lead to a stronger economy. According to an annual report published recently, in 2013, more than 1,000 jobs were created and retained in New York thanks to LDP.

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Ritchie

Continuing Our Fight Against Heroin

If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction, you know that their use of substances like heroin can be both frightening and heartbreaking. Here in New York State, the number of deaths from heroin overdose has doubled. In the Central and Northern New York, the number of users seeking treatment for heroin and opioid abuse has increased 300 percent (more than 400 percent in Oswego County) in just 10 years.

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Laws on Unlawful Surveillance, Sex Offenders, Child Abuse Reporters and Maternal Depression Change in NY

There have been a number of new laws signed and chaptered in New York in recent weeks. I wanted to update readers on just a few involving mandated reporters, unlawful surveillance, screening of volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel, and maternal depression. I was happy to support all in the Assembly this session.

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Ritchie

Will You Stand Up For Fort Drum?

Living in Upstate New York, it’s hard to imagine life without Fort Drum. Its soldiers are not only defenders of our freedom, they and their families are our friends, coworkers and neighbors. In addition, the post also has an unparalleled positive impact on our region, supporting thousands of jobs and pumping roughly $1.4 billion into our economy annually. Currently, the military is studying what would happen if it cut 16,000 soldiers and civilians from Fort Drum.

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Billion Dollar Windfall Should Go to Curb Local Taxes with Road, Education Investment

The New York State Department of Budget reported in its quarterly update that the state estimates it will receive $4.2 billion in 2015 from financial settlements reached by the Department of Financial Services, Department of Law, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. This is unexpected revenue for the state and has provided us with a surplus. There are a number of ideas circulating on how or if we should spend this money.

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

One Energy Tax Eliminated, Others Still Heavy Hitting

My office receives a lot of inquiries from constituents who wonder why their energy bills are so high.
These inquiries are well founded, as New Yorkers pay some of the highest residential energy costs in the nation. In fact, New York’s energy costs rank in the top 5 highest in the country. We pay on average 19.56 cents per kilowatt hour – significantly higher than what customers pay in other states.

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Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay

Purple Heart Veterans Honored with Special Day

On Aug. 7, 1782, George Washington first presented a Badge of Military Merit to soldiers for “any singularly meritorious action.” The award he created from his headquarters in Newburgh, NY, was a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk and had the word “merit” stitched across the front. Only three known soldiers received the honor.

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Ritchie

Building Brighter Communities, Page By Page

Where can you get books, learning tools, technology and more, all under one roof? The answer is your library. Each and every year, our local libraries are becoming more significant parts of our local communities, offering families and individuals not only opportunities for learning but also for entertainment, cultural experiences, job-searching tools and so much more.

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