Typically, a lot of bills pass the state legislature at the end of session. Once the legislature adjourns for the year, the Governor reviews the bills and determines which ones he wants to sign into law. In this column, I highlight a few bills of interest that I was pleased to see signed into law.
With its rigorous selection criteria, for 150 years, the Medal of Honor has been known by all as our Nation’s highest military decoration. What many people don’t know, is that of the fewer than 3,500 recipients, one in four are New Yorkers. With at least 45 Medal of Honor recipients associated with Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, our region is truly the “home of heroes.”
Earlier this summer, the Governor, using power granted to him pursuant to the Moreland Act, empaneled a commission to investigate public corruption. The Moreland Act grants the governor broad powers to investigate the affairs of a government agency. The act was initially enacted in the early 1900s at the behest of then Governor Charles Evans Hughes who sought the power to investigate the State Insurance Department.
Watermelon, hot dogs, popsicles and cold drinks – these are just a few of the treats most people look forward to during the summer. But, this year, a new favorite is topping my list, maple syrup ice cream. Newsflash: it’s not just for pancakes anymore!
The latest State Department of Labor newsletter for CNY states the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in four years. Signs do point to economic growth, especially in the area of food processing for our local region. According to the Department of Labor, the yogurt industry continues to be a source for many jobs throughout the Upstate region, with the latest yogurt expansion announced by Byrne Dairy.
With summer in full bloom, it is the opportune time for residents and visitors alike to take part in the wealth of activities our communities have to offer. I’m proud to represent a district where tourism represents a growing sector of the local economy. In this week’s column, I would like to highlight why tourism is so important to our economy and take a look at some of the many tourist destinations and events that make our region so unique.
With the recent warm weather and sunny skies, many people in the Central and Northern New York region have been spending the bulk of their summer days and nights outside. While there’s nothing like enjoying the outdoors, it’s important to protect yourself from mosquitoes looking to take a bite out of your summer fun.
The 2013 legislative session has ended. In this week’s column, I want to share my thoughts on some positive steps the Legislature took to enact change and also highlight a few matters that will, unfortunately, remain status quo for now.
As state senator, improving our state aid formula and ensuring our schools receive a fair share of state aid are just two of the ways I am working to improve public education. But, in order to create even better educational opportunities, I need your feedback too.
This week, many people will join friends and family members to fire up the grill, load up the cooler, and find that perfect spot to watch a spectacle in the sky for the Fourth of July holiday. But, the Fourth is so much more than cookouts and fireworks displays.
All Content Copyright Dot Publishing 2026. All Submissions Become Property of Dot Publishing All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.