Andrea Stewart-Cousins's Press releases

On Sunday, April 25th Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins joined Senator Kristen Gillibrand at the Yonkers YMCA to host a productive roundtable discussion with federal, State and County government officials, City Council Members and more than two dozen civic leaders, clergy members, community-based organization leaders, law enforcement officers and health and education professionals, on violent crime prevention through youth development and anti-gang initiatives in the City of Yonkers.

On Tuesday, April 27th, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins announced the Senate Transportation Committee passed legislation (S6620) that will establish protections for cyclists. In January, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins introduced the bill requiring a three-foot buffer zone between a motor vehicle passing a cyclist proceeding in the same direction on a highway.

The bill is also known as “Merrill's Law", in memory of Merrill Cassell, an avid cyclist and safety advocate, who was fatally struck by a vehicle while cycling in Greenburgh, in Westchester County.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is reminding local residents that April 22nd is Earth Day and encourages each person to help protect our environment for future generations. Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins will be attending a series of Earth Day celebrations, which began over the weekend with the Senator helping to kick-off the Irvington Earth Day and Greenburgh Nature Center Earth Day events. As a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins has established an extensive record as an advocate for environmentally responsible policies.

(35th District, NY) - Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is urging local residents to provide feedback on ways electric utility providers can improve the current clear cutting methods around power lines in the region. The Public Service Commission recently announced that it is conducting a review of the right of way (ROW) practices and has requested input from members of the community.

Package of Bills will Ensure Fiscal Responsibility

State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/WF – 35th District) announced that the Senate has put forth comprehensive budget reforms that will end short term wasteful spending and ensure the enactment of a fiscally responsible budget. The legislative package provides for long-term financial planning, the enactment of stricter accounting principles, and mandates stringent standards of accountability for State financed programs and services.

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is urging every New Yorker to "stand up and be counted!"

"The Census Day on April 1st is right around the corner," said Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. "The information collected by the Census is used to determine state and federal funding that communities will receive to improve schools, hospitals, emergency services, senior centers and other areas that are vital our neighborhoods. Therefore, it is important each person fill out the Census forms as well as encourage friends, family and others they know to do the same.”

(Albany, NY) Today, Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins joined Senators William Stachowski, Darrel Aubertine, David J. Valesky and Brian X. Foley to unveil an innovative jobs and economic development program to get New Yorkers back to work. The New Jobs New York program is comprised of three initiatives that can bring support to local small businesses, create job growth and attracting new investment through tax incentives.

Senate Democrats Preserve Recreational Facilities and Bolster Small Businesses

Today, the Senate Majority and advocates stood together in support of State Parks.

On Monday, the Majority Conference unanimously voted for a budget resolution which restored all $11.5 million of the Governor’s budget cuts to parks operations. If enacted, the cut would have resulted in the closure of 57 State Parks and reduced operations at an additional 22 State Parks.

State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D/WF – 35th District), Chair of the Local Government Committee, announced today that Ardsley Public Library, Mount Pleasant Public Library, and Warner Library have been awarded construction funding for a variety of much needed renovations.

The grant funds were provided by the New York State Legislature in the 2009-2010 State budget and will help local libraries and library systems to build new libraries, create additions, update technology, meet energy efficient standards, and improve handicap accessibility.