Stirpe: New York wins $700 million for schools

Race to the Top funds will ease school district crunch (Cicero-North Syracuse, NY) “After a grinding legislative session and hard-fought national competition, I’m happy to report that New York State has won $700 million in federal Race to the Top funding. The Race to the Top funding is meant to reward states – like New [...]

Russo: We’ve Raised ‘Well Over’ $200,000 in Race to Change Albany

State Senate candidate Andrew Russo said he plans to announce next week that he has raised well over $200,000 in the race for the 49th District seat currently held by three-term incumbent Sen. David J. Valesky (D – Oneida). While the official figures are not required to be filed with the state Board of Elections [...]

American Heart Association Lauds Legislature, Governor For Increasing Cigarette Tax

Albany, New York – Raising the tax on a package of cigarettes to $4.35 per pack will have numerous benefits for New York residents, said Julianne Hart, New York State Advocacy Director for the American Heart Association. “The New York State Legislature did the right thing in passing this tax,” Hart said. “We know that [...]

Guest Column: Progress and Pollutants

By Mary Messere Perhaps the old way of staying home, living in your own small town, growing your own food, and working in a local economy, could reverse the world’s problems today. Our need to drive away and travel both to work and to other places has driven our need for oil. Since its invention [...]

Stirpe bill will keep sex offenders off school grounds; awaits action in the Senate

Assembly passes legislation to protect children from sexual predators (June 8, 2010) Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-North Syracuse) announced unanimous passage of legislation he authored that will prevent registered sex offenders from entering the school that his or her victim attends or formerly attended (A.2257-B). Stirpe’s legislation closes an existing loophole that only forbids sex offenders [...]

Owner Died, Cats Need Loving Home

To the Editor: Death has a strange way of leaving behind not only people who are alone and sad, but also animals.  Last fall Jenna and Jason’s owner died and unfortunately they are left alone and need a loving home. Brother and sister, they are purebred Maine Coon cats that have been lovingly cared for [...]

Assemblyman Stirpe: New legislation ensures DWI offenders pay full penalty

Measure corrects legal language saddling local governments with cost of ignition interlock devices Last year, the New York State Legislature made history by passing Leandra’s Law, the toughest DWI law in the nation. Leandra’s Law creates the first-time felony of driving while intoxicated with a child passenger. However, the measure’s muddled fine print has left [...]

Stirpe: Keep Our Utility Savings Upstate

(May 19, 2010) “Businesses in my district that have created or retained 450 jobs through the Power for Jobs program – Clinton’s Ditch Cooperative Company, Onondaga Beverage Corp., Syracuse Casting Sales Corp., and Syracuse Plastics, Inc. – will continue to receive their benefits once Governor Paterson signs legislation that extends the current Power for Jobs [...]

Paterson moves forward on park closures despite funding from legislature

Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-North Syracuse) is calling on Governor David Paterson to abandon his plan to close 41 state parks and historic sites, and reduce services at 23 state parks and one historic site, including Clark Reservation State Park, Green Lakes State Park and Old Erie Canal State Park in Onondaga County. The governor’s plan [...]

Statement from Senator Valesky Regarding DEC Decision on Syracuse City Watershed

The DEC’s decision to except the city of Syracuse watershed from the SGEIS is good news. Protecting the public water supply should be the highest priority, and the DEC made the right decision. Any consideration of drilling should put public safety first, and I continue to oppose hydrofracking in any watershed that serves as a [...]

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