John J. Flanagan's Press releases

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) is informing the community that the New York Bankers Association (NYBA) and the New York Business Development Corporation (NYBDC) have agreed to establish a $10 million small business emergency loan fund to provide immediate financial assistance for businesses impacted by Storm Sandy.

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) was recently presented with the "Champion of Exposing the Secret" Award for his efforts in the fight against breast cancer.  The award was presented to him at Adelphi University during an event to celebrate breast cancer survivors sponsored by the Adelphi New York Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline and Support Program.  Senator Flanagan was honored for passing a new law (S.6769-B) which requires a mammography report to inform patients when they have dense breast tissue and to recommend that such patient have a discussion with their physician about pursuing further screening options.

This week, Huntington lost a true leader and New York State lost a very valued public servant. For me personally, I lost a great colleague and more importantly, a dear friend. Jim Conte passed away after a long battle with cancer. Throughout that period he endured many physical challenges, but he never wavered on things that were important to him, especially his family.

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently participated in a time-honored tradition when he threw out the first pitch prior to game three of the Liberty Division Championship Series between the Long Island Ducks and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip.  Senator Flanagan delivered the pitch to former New York Met player Bud Harrelson, owner of the Ducks and the current bench coach.

The Ducks, who won the Liberty Division Championship series against the Blue Crabs, will now face the Lancaster Barnstormers in a best-of-five series for the Atlantic League Championship. 

Events Planned for September 28 & 29 Focus on Increasing Economic Opportunities for New York’s Growing Hispanic Community

Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos today announced that the Senate and the Hispanic Federation will conduct the second annual Unidad Latina event this week. Unidad Latina is a two-day conference designed to help increase economic opportunities for the growing Hispanic community in New York. It is being held on September 28 and 29 at the Hilton New York in Manhattan.

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently joined with Mia Padron of the Hydrocephalus Association to proclaim September Hydrocephalus Awareness Month and to present the organization with a resolution he sponsored to help raise awareness of the incurable condition.

The pair also used the meeting to inform residents of the 7th annual Hydrocephalus WALK that will take place on Saturday, September 29th at 10:00 a.m. in Belmont Lake State Park in West Babylon.  The family fun day and walk will include refreshments, Chinese Auction, bake sale, arts and crafts, DJ, Tae kwon do demo show, balloon animals and other fun events.  WBAB and the New York Islanders will also take part in the day’s events.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Rose Harvey today announced that demolition work began today on a $6.4 million project to demolish abandoned buildings and related structures at the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center in Smithtown, Suffolk County. Building 123, a 20,000-square-foot brick kitchen and dining hall with a collapsed roof, will be the first of 15 buildings to be removed.

“It’s gratifying to see this long-awaited project is moving forward,” said Harvey. “Governor Cuomo and the Legislature are committed to building stronger communities and revitalizing our economy, and this project is a great example of how they have New York State on the right track.”  

Night time closures on NY Route 111 just north and south of NY Route 347 in Hauppauge in the Town of Smithtown, Suffolk County are now underway.  Traffic is still being maintained on NY Route 111, but short sections are being closed each night, Sunday through Thursday, for approximately two weeks, weather permitting.  

These closures are needed to perform drainage work that would be too disruptive to the high volume of traffic during the day.  Motorists are being warned in advance of the closings via electronic road signs but should plan ahead and use alternate routes to avoid delays.  

Senator John Flanagan (2nd Senate District) recently voted for Senate passage of sweeping legislation that will transform how New Yorkers with special needs and disabilities are protected.  The bill (S7749), which passed the Senate unanimously, is part of an agreement between the Senate, Assembly and Governor Andrew Cuomo to establish the strongest standards and practices in the nation for protecting individuals in state operated, certified or licensed facilities and programs.