Issues: Energy

Reviewing Transportation, Environment, Agriculture, Housing
On-Time Budget Eyed for Second Straight Year
State Senator Patty Ritchie has been named to a special Senate budget subcommittee assigned to review the Governor’s proposed budget.

New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (R-C, Port Jefferson) and Assemblyman Bob Sweeney (D-Lindenhurst) announced that legislation they crafted in concert with Governor Cuomo has been unanimously passed by the New York State Senate.  The legislation will, once signed by the Governor, create the “Long Island Power Authority Oversight and Accountability Act.” The bill previously unanimously passed the Assembly.

Senator LaValle and Assemblyman Sweeney said that the bill seeks “to provide wide-ranging oversight over the business and rate-making practices of the Long Island Power Authority.  LIPA’s customers will benefit by having the review performed under the direction of the professional staff of the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS).”

Frustrated Viewers Pay While Contract Fights FesterState Senator Patty Ritchie is calling for a public hearing into the growing incidences of TV blackouts--like the ongoing disputes that have yanked New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres hockey games, and popular programs like "Bachelor" and "Grey’s Anatomy" off some local airwaves--saying consumers are being denied services they are paying for.Senator Ritchie has written to the Chair of the Senate’s Energy and Telecommunications Committee, Niagara Falls-area Sen. George D.

Senator George Maziarz (R-C, Newfane) praised legislation (S.5917-A) approved in Albany yesterday that would prohibit companies doing $20 million or more in business with Iran’s energy industry from entering or renewing state or local government contracts in New York.

As Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee, Senator Maziarz co-sponsored the “Iran Divestment Act of 2012” and advocated strongly for its passage.