Category Archive

High school students to advocate for Student Journalist Free Speech Act (ALBANY, NY) — Student journalists from six high schools around New York State gathered at the State Capitol Tuesday as part of Student Press Day. The focus of their advocacy was the Student Journalist Free Speech Act, a bill which was discussed in meetings with legislators throughout the day … Read More

National Program Honors Top High School Seniors in the Country (ENDICOTT, NY) – A Union-Endicott High School Senior has been named one of just a few hundred semifinalists from around the country for the national Presidential Scholars Program. Jared Welch was nominated by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo for the program’s Career and Technical Education component. Welch was one of approximately four … Read More

Below are items of interest from the 2019-20 State Budget. 1. TAX CAP MADE PERMANENT: The final budget makes the state property tax cap permanent, limiting the annual growth of local property taxes to two percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. This cap, which was set to expire at the end of next year, was implemented in … Read More

Mobile exhibit, educational outreach funded             (ALBANY, NY) – The newly adopted state budget provides funding to continue the promotion of the nation’s second-largest maple industry. In addition to its annual $225,000 allotment, the NYS Maple Producers’ Association received a one-time allocation of $63,000 to expand educational outreach throughout New York. “Maple is one of the state’s fastest growing industries … Read More

1. ENDICOTT EYESORE COMES DOWN: A sign of a growing Village when first built, the Endicott Inn on Washington Avenue has been a symbol of decline for many years now. On February 25th, I joined some of my local colleagues and the Marchuska Brothers as the demolition of this eyesore began. The State and private companies are investing money nearby … Read More

Letter Calls on Defense Commissary Agency to Reconsider (Albany, NY) – State Senator Jen Metzger and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo are calling on the Department of Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) to reconsider a proposal that would hurt New York’s dairy farmers. In a joint letter sent this week, the Chairs of the Senate and Assembly Agriculture Committees say they’re opposed to … Read More

Below are the Top 5 items from January 2019. 1. GOVERNOR DELIVERS BUDGET & STATE OF THE STATE MESSAGE: On January 5th, we got a look at the Governor’s agenda for the year as he delivered his combined budget address and State of the State message. It’s now up to the Legislature to examine the details and help finalize a … Read More

Student Journalist Free Speech Act Introduced in Both Houses (ALBANY, NY) – A New York State legislative resolution passed this week proclaims today, January 30th, as Student Press Freedom Day in the state. The day is recognized nationally by the Student Press Law Center and is part of an effort to secure more rights for student journalists across the country. … Read More

Local museum recognized for preservation of Link Simulators (BINGHAMTON, NY) – Three historic Link Aviation Flight Simulators have helped one local museum land the world’s premier computer conservation award. The Center for Technology and Innovation, also known as TechWorks!, is the recipient of the 2018 Tony Sale Award (TSA) for computer conservation for its project to restore three generations of … Read More

Lupardo co-sponsors bills to increase turnout, close LLC loophole (ALBANY, NY) – Reforming New York State’s elections was priority number one for the New York State Assembly as the 2019 legislative session began. The Assembly passed a package of legislation Monday designed to ease the voter registration process, increase turnout at the polls, and eliminate the influence of corporate money … Read More