Cecilia Tkaczyk's Press releases

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.”

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk marked Earth Day by co-sponsoring several pieces of legislation to expand the use of solar energy and promote the solar industry in New York.

“Solar power is renewable, clean, and far safer for our environment than fossil fuels,” Senator Tkaczyk said. “And promoting the solar industry in New York would create new jobs and help revitalize the Upstate economy.”

Senator Tkaczyk referenced a report from The Prometheus Institute, a data source on solar energy initiatives, which estimates that solar energy will create 22,000 American jobs in manufacturing, distribution and various building trades over the next decade.

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, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, called on the Senate leadership to strengthen and provide adequate funding for the for the Community Mental Health Reinvestment Act. Tkaczyk noted that community-based services are less expensive for taxpayers and more effective for recipients than is institutional care.

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:

Congressman Tonko Administers Oath of Office

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk joined dozens of friends and colleagues at Amsterdam City Hall for a ceremonial swearing-in to thank the many supporters from Montgomery and Schenectady Counties who made her a Senate victory a reality.

The oath of office was administered by Congressman Paul Tonko. Participants included Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, Montgomery County Democratic Chair, Bethany Schumann-McGhee, and Schenectady County Democratic Chair Brian Quail.

Tkaczyk was officially sworn in on the Senate floor on January 23, but said she wanted an opportunity to thank and celebrate with her friends and supporters in Schenectady and Montgomery Counties.

State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk (D-46th S.D.) has been appointed the Ranking Democratic Member on two legislative committees -- Elections and Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. She will also serve as a member of four other Senate committees – Education, Agriculture, Environmental Conservation and Children and Families.