Brian X. Foley's Press releases

Senator Brian X. Foley (D – Blue Point) announced today that he has secured funding for the Greater Patchogue Foundation.

The $100,000 capital grant that Senator Foley provided, which will be administered through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY), will be used to make improvements to the sidewalks and curbing around the Lakeview Cemetery. The completion of improvements to the sidewalks will compliment the newly reconstructed front entrance gates, archway and gate pillars that replicate those first constructed in 1899.

Senator Brian X. Foley (D – Blue Point), Assemblyman Marc Alessi (D, I – Shoreham) and Legislator Kate Browning (WFP – Shirley) blasted Governor Paterson’s veto of important legislation that would have further protected our communities from sex offenders.

Senator Brian X. Foley (D – Blue Point) celebrated the announcement today that New York will receive up to $700 million in funding through the federal Race to the Top program.

The award of Race to the Top funding followed dedicated advocacy on the part of Senator Foley and his colleagues in the Majority Conference. In addition to lobbying the federal government, the senate passed a number of pieces of legislation that were critical in helping to obtain the funding. This legislation, which Senator Foley was a key supporter of, included reforming charter school operations and improving teacher and principal evaluations.

Senator Brian X. Foley (D – Blue Point) and members of the Suffolk County Legislature announced today their proposal for the creation of a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) for the John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility. This proposal would protect the public mission of the facility by avoiding its sale to a private entity, while relieving the county of the responsibility for operating the facility.

Senator Brian X. Foley (D – Blue Point), Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D – Setauket) and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis were joined today by environmental advocates today to celebrate the signing of the Child Safe Playing Fields Act. This law protects children and the environment by banning the use of harmful pesticides on school fields and playgrounds, as well as at daycare centers.

Senator Brian X. Foley released the following statement today, giving residents information on how to protect their families from West Nile Virus:

“Last week Nassau County identified fifteen new sites where mosquitoes were infected with West Nile Virus, while here in Suffolk County fourteen sites have been identified.

“Since its first appearance in New York in 1999 over 250 cases of West Nile Virus have been found in New Yorkers and 26 deaths have been reported. The virus infects birds and is spread to humans through mosquitoes that feed on both species. While contracting West Nile Virus is rare, it is extremely serious, especially for people over 50 years old.

Senator Brian X. Foley (D – Blue Point) announced today that there is hundreds of millions of dollars in unclaimed funds owed to New Yorkers by the state.

The Comptroller’s Office has more than 25 million outstanding accounts. These accounts are easily searchable through a phone call to the Comptroller’s Office or by visiting the website. The accounts are worth anywhere from a few dollars to several thousand dollars.

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my colleague, Senator Thomas Morahan, earlier this week.

Senator Morahan was a dedicated public servant who made it his mission to be a voice for a community that often had no voice - the mentally disabled.  He fought to make sure that they received the level of care and treatment they needed and deserved.  It is a legacy that will live on.

Senator Morahan was part of a group in Albany that believed in putting partisanship aside in order to accomplish what is best for the residents of New York.  It was truly an honor to have served with him in the New York State Senate over the last year and a half.

Senator Brian X. Foley (D - Blue Point) sponsored legislation (S7447-A), which passed the senate this week, that will increase the ability of school districts to access their reserve funds.