Issues: Agriculture

Directs State Health Leaders to Target “21st Century” Challenges

ALBANY, 06/08/12 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today announced the introduction of legislation he is co-sponsoring that would help farmers who suffered significant crop loss due to extreme weather earlier this year.  The “Family Farmers and Apple Growers Relief Act” would establish a special tax credit for farmers who experienced widespread damage and loss to their crops as a result of an extremely rare and severe frost.

Senator Andrew Lanza and Assemblyman Michael Cusick today joined Governor Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to announce a landmark agreement on a comprehensive prescription drug reform package that will make New York State a national leader in curbing prescription drug abuse.The new law will include a series of provisions to overhaul the way prescription drugs are distributed and tracked in New York State, including enacting a “real time” prescription monitoring registry to provide timely and enhanced information to practitioners and pharmacists; requiring all prescriptions to be electronically transmitted; improving safeguards for

State Senators Patty Ritchie and Hugh T. Farley joined with Assemblymen Jim Tedisco, George Amedore and Pete Lopez to announce new legislation, the “Family Farmers and Apple Growers Relief Act,” to help apple growers and farmers who have lost a significant amount of their crops due to the extreme weather state area has experienced this year.

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I – 59th District) spoke out today against the New York State Thruway Authority’s recently announced plan to increase Thruway tolls 45 percent on commercial vehicles with three or more axles.

Senator Mark Grisanti (R, I-60) today announced that the New York State Senate has voted to pass Bill S.2409D that amends the agriculture and markets law to provide for the training and certification of animal control officers.

The Agriculture Department will create a program to provide training, examination and certification for dog control officers, police officers and peace officers who deal with animal control or animal abuse issues.  This legislation is needed to protect both people and animals from untrained officers.