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Proposal Relieves Burdens On Local Governments, Farms

State Senator Patty Ritchie says her bill (S5159) allowing the automatic renewal of agricultural assessments will help reduce paperwork for both New York’s 35,000 family farms and local governments. The bill passed the Senate Thursday night.

“Our hard working family farmers spend too much time filling out meaningless government forms,” Senator Ritchie said. “Our local governments have too many burdensome mandates from state government. This legislation reduces these meaningless bureaucratic requirements for both assessors and farmers.”

Senate-passed Bill Would Create Hunting and Fishing Gift Cards

State Senator Patty Ritchie (R-C, Heuvelton) announced Senate passage today of her bill to create hunting and fishing “gift cards,” which would allow sportsmen to give the gift of the outdoors and help promote recreation in Upstate New York.

Senator Ritchie’s bill, S.5161, directs the state DEC to create the cards, which would be available in different denominations and could be used to pay for hunting and fishing licenses, stamps and other fees.

“Gift cards are an increasingly popular way for New Yorkers to remember birthdays, holidays and special occasions,” Senator Ritchie said. “What better way to introduce a child or grandchild to the outdoors, create a uniquely personal gift for a friend or co-worker, or give an incentive to a former sportsmen to get back into outdoor recreation that to create an easy way to share this gift?”

Mavericks Coach Joins Rare Club of NBAers With Rings as Both Player and Coach

The State Senate today honored St. Lawrence County native Rick Carlisle for leading the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA championship—and his second professional basketball title.

The Senate on Wednesday approved a formal resolution recognizing Carlisle for his accomplishments.

Carlisle hails from Lisbon, where he was a regular sight on the hardwood and blacktop courts of his youth. His parents continue to reside there.

“I’ve had the privilege to watch Rick Carlisle from his earliest years as a scrappy ball handler on the courts of St. Lawrence County to his career as champion player and coach,” said Senator Ritchie.

Senate OKs Package of Bills to Ease Regulations, Help Farms, Businesses

State Senator Patty Ritchie continued her assault on needless bureaucratic red tape, announcing that the Senate today has passed of package of bills she sponsored to reduce regulations on Central and Northern New York businesses.

The measures included a bill, drafted in conjunction with the state Agriculture Commissioner, that will ease some regulations that could impact Fort Drum.

“I ran for the Senate to bring common sense to Albany, and that includes cutting outdated and needless red tape that makes it tougher for businesses to create jobs, and communities to thrive,” Senator Ritchie said. “Taken together, these bills are yet another signal of the change in attitude in Albany that says ‘jobs first,’ and puts people ahead of the needs of government.“I will continue to work to find ways to ease the regulatory burden on businesses and help our economy and our communities grow stronger,” senator Ritchie said.

A bill sponsored by Senator Patty Ritchie (R-C, Heuvelton) that could let military reservists cut their property tax bill was passed Monday by the Senate.

The measure, S.5231, gives local counties, cities, towns and villages an option to offer reservists the same property tax benefit that is currently available to other veterans who served their nation during specific periods of conflict.

“The changing nature of threats to our nation has also changed the demands that we put on the men and women of our military reserves, who are increasingly called upon to serve side by side with active duty military to defend our freedom and way of life,” Senator Ritchie said.

“These are our ‘citizen soldiers’ who often times interrupt their careers and spend long stretches away from the families, communities and friends—just like those in the active duty service—but aren’t entitled to the same benefits back home. This bill shows our gratitude and respect for all that they do for us.”

Hundreds gain job advice to landing the perfect job

Nearly 300 Oswego County residents joined Senator Patty Ritchie at her first-ever Career and Resource Expo that linked employers and job-counseling agencies with individuals looking for a job, a new career, or just seeking to boost their job-search skills.

Senator Ritchie’s Career and Resource Expo, held Thursday at the Fulton War Memorial, was jointly sponsored by Fulton Mayor Ron Woodward, United Way of Oswego County, SUNY Oswego’s Business Development Center, the Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce and Workforce New York.

New law also a top priority of state’s new agriculture commissioner

State Senator Patty Ritchie announced that Governor Cuomo has signed into law her bill that cuts red tape on nursery businesses, while also streamlining government and cutting costs for taxpayers.

The bill, S.4144, was “Departmental Bill No. 1,” and a top priority of state Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine.

“I am very pleased that Governor Cuomo has signed into law this measure to make state government more efficient and which will provide relief for these small businesses,” Senator Ritchie said.  “As the chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am very pleased to work with Commissioner Darrel Aubertine to enact this legislation.”