Hugh T. Farley's News items

Ten school districts and local governments in the four-county 44th State Senate District have been awarded Documentary Heritage grants totaling nearly $234,000. The grants were made by the New York State Archives using funds from the Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund. They are used to enhance public access to government records.

"People have the right to know what their government does," said State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R-C, Schenectady), who helped establish the grant program in 1989.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C - Schenectady) is teaming up with the Village of Northville for a Family Day in the Park event on Sunday, July 1st, from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Waterfront Park located behind the Main Street businesses in Northville.

This event is the official opening of the park for the 2007 summer season. Musical entertainment will be provided by various Sacandaga Valley Arts Network (SVAN) musicians, local church choirs, and the Actors Company. The classic rock group, The Bel-Aires, will perform from 5 to 7 p.m.

The State Senate has unanimously passed a special budget amendment (S.6063) to appropriate $350,000 for the Schenectady Free Clinic. The legislation would restore State funding which was unexpectedly withdrawn by Governor Spitzer earlier this year.

"The Free Clinic is a national model in successfully delivering cost-effective patient-centered health care," said State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C - Schenectady), sponsor of the legislation. "I'm pleased that the Senate has acted to save the Clinic."

The Clinic was created by legislation authored by Senator Farley in 2002.

My colleagues and I in the New York State Senate recently passed legislation that could potentially result in the elimination of residential school property taxes.

Called the New York Stop Taxing Our Property Reform Plan, it would give school districts the authority to eliminate residential property taxes over five years, with revenue replaced by additional State funding; impose an immediate freeze on property tax assessments for seniors; create a Blue Ribbon Commission on Property Tax Reform and enact comprehensive mandate relief measures to help lower costs for school

Yesterdaythe legislature passed a bill sponsored by Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C-Schenectady) and Assemblyman Paul D. Tonko (D-Amsterdam) which enables localities to allow veterans who qualify for a veterans' real property tax exemption to take advantage of the value of that exemption as of the date they purchase property. Currently, they must wait until the next taxable status date to have the exemption applied to taxes. The bill is designed to assist veterans who need this now more than ever.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R,C - Schenectady) will honor Fulton County Judge Polly Hoye as a recipient of the New York State Senate’s annual "Women of Distinction" award at a ceremony to be held on Tuesday, June 5th, in Albany.

The program honors distinguished women whose outstanding work in their communities makes them deserving of special recognition by the State Senate.

"Polly Hoye was the first female district attorney and first female judge in Fulton County.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C - Schenectady) will host a table at the Sacandaga North Wellness Day on Saturday, June 2nd, on the lawn at Northville Central School. This event is being held in conjunction with the annual St. Jude's Bike-a-Thon the school hosts.

"I am pleased to be able to participate in this event," Senator Farley said. "With the warmer weather now here, everyone wants to be outdoors. Summer is filled with numerous fun activities.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C - Schenectady) is offering the New York State Senate Youth Fitness Campaign, which encourages children to adopt a more healthy and active lifestyle through a 10-week program where children log in their exercise activity and report it back to the Senator.

"Staying fit is an important part of growing up and can teach children wellness and health habits that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, many children don’t get the physical exercise that they need to stay fit. In fact, more than one-fourth of U.S.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C - Schenectady) and his colleagues in the New York State Senate Majority Conference prepared the "Upstate Now" agenda, a comprehensive job creation and economic growth plan that will help revitalize the local economy and create upstate jobs.

"More than any other issue, my constituents talk to me about needing good, steady jobs," Senator Farley said. "There is no single solution to retaining and creating good jobs in our communities. That is why the Senate's comprehensive plan is so important.