Hugh T. Farley's Press releases

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) announced that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed a bill on May 9th that builds upon existing net metering laws to allow certain electricity customer-generators to receive credit for off-site energy production. The legislation (S.3407A) enables small producers to plan for their long-term energy use and would increase participation in alternative energy investment.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) announced that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed legislation on May 9th that would ban the sale of synthetic marijuana products throughout the State. This fake drug, which has been legally available under a variety of names like K2, Spike 99 and Spice at stores throughout New York State, including on Long Island and just blocks away from the State Capitol in Albany, is smoked as an alternative to marijuana and has similar effects.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) announced on May 3rd that he and his colleagues in the New York State Senate passed a bill (S.998B) that will make it easier for law enforcement to crack down on texting-while-driving offenses and prevent tragic accidents caused by drivers distracted by texting.

The bill would make text messaging while driving a primary violation rather than a secondary violation. Under the current law, a driver can only be cited for texting-while-driving if another violation, such as speeding, is also being cited.

In honor of National Donate Life Month, the New York State Senate was joined by 11-year-old heart transplant survivor Lauren Shields on April 13th and passed life saving legislation to significantly increase organ and tissue donation. Lauren’s Law (S.3885) would increase the number of eligible and willing organ donors by requiring driver’ license applicants to specifically indicate their donation decision.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) announced on April 12th that he and his Senate Majority colleagues are urging the Assembly to act on a meaningful property tax cap bill. The Senate overwhelmingly passed Governor Cuomo’s property tax cap legislation with bipartisan support earlier this year.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) will be co-hosting his annual health fair with Catholic Charities Family Room on Tuesday, April 19th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the upper level of the Riverfront Center, Amsterdam.

"Called the Community Wellness Day, this event has always been successful in delivering information on services that local agencies provide to the public," Senator Farley said. The health fair is geared towards people of all ages and is set during the break week for local schools so families can participate.

Those unable to attend can call Senator Farley’s Amsterdam District Office at 843-2188 to obtain brochures. A list of helpful websites you may want to visit for healthy information is listed below.

April 1st is nearing, which is the deadline to pass an on-time, balanced budget for the State of New York.

The last few weeks, I have sat on several Senate committees and conducted public hearings on key pieces of the budget that include education and local government assistance. I’ve also held joint hearings with the Assembly and now we are in the stage where the two houses are in the final negotiations with Governor Cuomo.

State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) will introduce the resolution declaring March as Women’s History Month in the New York State Senate on March 15th. The theme for the year is "Our History is Our Strength."

"From the women's suffrage movement some 150 years ago to the present day, women have played a crucial role in New York State's political, social and economic development," Senator Farley said. "Our State and our Nation have been greatly strengthened through the valuable contributions, and it is important to recognize, remember and honor these contributions."

With shocking new video evidence revealing continued violence in New York’s juvenile centers, state lawmakers are calling on Governor Cuomo to fire Office of Children and Family Services Commissioner (OCFS) Gladys Carrion.

Security video footage, unveiled by former state Commission of Correction’s employee Eileen Carpenter at a recent press conference in Albany, showed graphic images of residents violently assaulting each other and staff in the state’s four juvenile secure centers.

"I commend Ms. Carpenter’s courage for coming forward and exposing the truth about the violence that continues under Commissioner Carrion. This video confirms the chaos that has been created by her irresponsible policies," said Senator Catharine Young (R,I,C - Olean).