Cecilia Tkaczyk

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk today announced legislation that would ban hazardous waste products from out-of-state fracking operations from being imported into, treated or disposed of in New York State.

“New York is under assault,” Senator Tkaczyk said. “Tens of thousands of tons of hazardous wastes are being shipped here each year from fracking sites in Pennsylvania and other states. These wastes have high levels of heavy metals, carcinogens and other toxic chemicals and compounds, yet they are exempt from the storage and treatment regulations which govern the handling of other hazardous substances.”

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk and Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, joined by Board of Elections officials from several counties, today announced legislation that would protect New Yorkers’ right to vote and ensure their votes are counted.

One of the measures (S.4270) would prevent affidavit ballots from being disqualified for insignificant, hyper technical reasons, as long as the voter is eligible, registered and in substantial compliance with voting regulations.

“Our democracy will only thrive if citizens participate and vote,” Senator Tkaczyk said. “We should be encouraging residents to get involved in the process and cast their vote, rather than creating unnecessary obstacles that prevent their votes from being counted.”

Bills Would Limit Use of Campaign Money and Strip Pensions of Any Official Who Breaches Public Trust

  (Albany, NY) State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk joined her Senate colleagues to unveil a tough legislative ethics package designed to reform state government and combat the ongoing corruption issues facing New York State. Senator Tkaczyk also announced her support for the principles of the Governor Cuomo’s “New York Public Trust Act.”

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk today announced a package of economic development bills that would help small businesses and farms grow, create new jobs and spur the local economy.

“Our rural communities and small Upstate cities are not getting the support they need, and many of the unique challenges facing our local businesses are not being addressed,” Tkaczyk said. “The cornerstones of my legislative package would help small businesses by expanding Broadband Internet service, and would also support the small and medium farms that contribute so much to the Upstate economy.”

EXPANDING BROADBAND

(Rotterdam, NY) State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, advocates, parents and service providers today called for additional funds to be included in the State budget to assist New Yorkers with developmental disabilities. Under current budget proposals, significant cuts would be made to these critical services.

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk joined her colleagues to call for an increase to the  New York State minimum wage and index future increases to the rate of inflation. She said the increase would be especially beneficial to women with small children and have an overall positive effect on the economy.

 “More than 55 percent  of the workers in New York State receiving minimum wage are women, many of them with children,” Tkaczyk said. “Even those who can work 40 or more hours each week are living below the federal poverty level and are struggling to provide their families with decent housing, clothing and food.”

Tkaczyk said raising the wage would also have an overall economic benefit: