Latest Events & News

ALBANY, NY – Record levels of funding for agriculture are included in the New York State Budget, finalized by the Legislature on Wednesday. The two Agriculture Chairs in the State Legislature, Senator Michelle Hinchey and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo worked to successfully secure $8 million over the Executive’s original proposal for a total appropriation of over $35 million. This funding will … Read More

1. UPDATE ON BUDGET NEGOTIATION: This year’s budget is complicated by the enormous need caused by the pandemic, along with the pent up demand to address long term problems with underfunded schools, human services, child care, nursing homes and more. Locally, struggling small businesses hurt by COVID closures, along with prevention of mortgage foreclosure and evictions due to hardship, are … Read More

Nominated by Assemblywoman Lupardo for her Leadership (ALBANY, NY) – As Women’s History Month came to a close, Broome County Health Department Director Rebecca Kaufman is being honored at the state level. Each year, the NYS Legislative Women’s Caucus recognizes outstanding women leaders from across the state; this year’s focus was on essential workers. Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo nominated Kaufman as … Read More

The American Red Cross in New York State today celebrated six state legislators for their distinguished efforts in the State Capital and their partnership with the Red Cross in their home districts. The 2021 American Red Cross New York State Legislators of the Year are Asm. Donna Lupardo, Sen. Joseph Addabbo, Sen. John Brooks, Sen. Patrick Gallivan, Sen. Sue Serino, and … Read More

One-House Bills Restore Critical Funding, Add New Investments (ALBANY, NY) – The importance of New York’s agriculture and food economy is being reflected with historic support in the State Assembly and Senate one-house budget resolutions. On Tuesday, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Senator Michelle Hinchey, Chairs of the Assembly and Senate Agriculture Committees, announced the details. Assembly Agriculture Chair Donna Lupardo … Read More

Sponsor Joint Resolution Proclaiming February 26th as Student Press Freedom Day in New York State (NEW YORK, NY) – ) Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Broome) and  State Senator Brian Kavanagh (D-Manhattan and Brooklyn have reintroduced legislation that supports increased rights and protections for student reporters. The Student Journalist Free Speech Act (A4402/S2958), which the legislators also introduced last year, will provide student … Read More

(ALBANY, NY) – The National FFA Organization is being recognized across the country this week. As part of the NYS Assembly’s effort to celebrate FFA Week in New York, Cristian Gilces, Secretary of FFA Chapter at John Bowne High School in Queens, addressed the Assembly Agriculture Committee on Tuesday. He joined the committee meeting via Zoom and spoke about his … Read More

Below are the Top 5 items from January 2021 1. COVID RATES BEGIN TO STABILIZE, VACCINE ROLLOUT FRUSTRATES MANY: In NY, cases of COVID-19 are beginning to stabilize after the holidays. The statewide positivity rate is now at 5.5%, down from 6.2% a week ago; in the Southern Tier, we’ve dropped from 3.5% to 2.6% in just seven days. These … Read More

Essential agricultural workers have been excluded from eligibility list Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (AD-123) and Senator Michelle Hinchey (SD-46) sent a letter Tuesday advocating for one of the state’s largest groups of essential workers to be added back into the state’s COVID vaccine eligibility list. The Chairs of the Assembly and Senate Agriculture Committees are urging the Governor and Health Commissioner … Read More

As part of his 2021 State of the State announcements, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday a proposal to legalize adult-use cannabis in New York. The Governor’s proposal would create an Office of Cannabis Management to oversee the new adult-use program, as well as the state’s existing medical and cannabinoid hemp programs. Following Wednesday’s announcement, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (AD-123) and … Read More