Issues: Executive

March 14, 2011

For Immediate Release

Title XX Funds Restored in Senate Budget Bill

Albany, NY - State Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz (SD 32) announced today that the New York State Senate has completely restored Title XX funding for discretionary programs in its one-house budget bill.

“I am pleased and grateful that Senator Skelos and the Senate Republicans, as well as my conference Leader John Sampson and the Senate Democrats, worked to ensure that this very important funding was restored,” stated Senator Díaz.

For Immediate Release

March 9, 2011

Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz to Governor Andrew Cuomo: Your Priorities are Out of Line with the Urgencies of the Day

New York State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz (D-Bronx) has issued the following statement in response to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s meeting today to strategize about how to legalize homosexual marriage in New York State:

February 3, 2011

For Immediate Release

Senator Diaz to Governor Cuomo: Your Lieutenant Governor is Getting Stripped of Power!

New York State Senator Reverend Rubén Díaz (D-Bronx) released the following statement today in response to legislation introduced today by Senate Republicans and supported by five Democrats that would remove a constitutional provision that the lieutenant governor shall act as governor when the governor leaves the state:

“I am surprised that Governor Andrew Cuomo is sitting idle while the Senate Republicans - along with the help of five Senate Democrats – continue to strip the Lieutenant Governor of his constitutional powers.

Griffo: Release Full Terms of Casino Agreement

State Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-IP-C, Rome) today called upon Governor David Paterson and his administration to release all of the terms and conditions of the proposed agreement with the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe that will allow the tribe to develop a Catskill Casino and give up their Central New York land claims.

Griffo Says Taxpayer-Funded Teen Orgy at State Youth Facility Calls for Resignation of OCFS Commissioner 

 Senator also wants proposed closure of Annsville Residential OCFS Center halted until Investigation concludes

            (Albany) - State Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R- IP-C, Rome) today said that a shocking lack of oversight and management in allowing a state taxpayer-funded orgy to take place during a dance at a youth facility that houses killers and other violent criminals, is enough reason for Commissioner Gladys Carrion to resign from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

(Albany) - Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-IP-C, Rome) today announced that he has written to State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in support of an investigation into a recent Adirondack land purchase.

Griffo noted that in 2004, The Nature Conservancy bought a 20,000-acre tract of land for $6.3 million and sold the land to the state four years later for $9.8 million.

Utica - Senator Joseph A. Griffo (R-IP-C, Rome) today voiced outrage that New York State is starting its 2010-2011 fiscal year without a budget in place.

ALBANY, N.Y.--If New Yorkers have to pay their taxes on time, the state should provide its refunds on time, Senator David J. Valesky (D-Oneida) and Senate Majority Democrats told Governor Paterson today. Passing a resolution with broad bi-partisan support, the Senate formally opposed the Governor’s scheme to delay more than $500 million in refunds to individuals and $200 in refunds to businesses.