Issues: Government Operations

The Governor’s State of the State outlined an expansive and comprehensive vision for our state and its future. I am especially encouraged to see Governor Cuomo make the upstate economy a continued priority of his administration, and the specific attention he paid to bolstering Upstate’s agriculture and tourism industries – two sectors vital to the continued economic recovery of Western New York.

The failure of Congress to act on the federal assistance legislation to help the millions of people impacted by Hurricane Sandy is absolutely unconscionable.   People in my district and throughout the region continue to struggle to put their lives back together.  Business owners are working to get back on their feet and everyone is trying to restore a sense of normalcy. By walking away from the aid bill, the House leadership has turned their backs on New Yorkers in their time of need.  Without action to provide federal aid, rebuilding homes and businesses and repairing vital infrastructure becomes even more of an uphill battle.

A new sales tax exemption designed to encourage solar energy use and a law to provide new protections for domestic violence victims highlight the list of new state laws that take effect on January 1, 2013.  Other measures that take effect on New Years Day include laws that help craft brewers distribute their products, prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, and authorize new ways for colleges to provide health insurance for students.

New regulations from AG Schneiderman will shed light on the influence of “dark money” in NY government and politics. 

Kennedy says Schneiderman’s new regulations partnered with real campaign finance reform will boost transparency, combat corruption and eliminate undue corporate influence over the will of the people

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Senator Tim Kennedy, D-Buffalo, applauded the efforts of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today as he announced new regulations and reporting requirements that will combat “dark money” and increase transparency in state government and politics.