Patty Ritchie

Plans for $50 Million Private Sector Investment Will Create 150 Jobs

11th Hour Changes Wreak Havoc on School, Family Calendars

Senator Patty Ritchie is calling on the state’s Education Commissioner and Board of Regents to reverse an 11th hour change to school testing dates that’s wreaking havoc on school and family calendars.

In a letter to state Education Commissioner John King and Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch, Senator Ritchie admits she was flabbergasted that the state would change the test schedules so close to the start of the school year, when districts had already set—and in many cases, mailed—their school year calendars to parents and teachers.

The new schedule places a key test smack in the middle of spring breaks scheduled by a majority of Central and Northern New York schools.

Sept. 14 At Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds In Watertown

State Senator Patty Ritchie along with the Jefferson County Office for the Aging invites the community to her 2011 Senior Health and Wellness Expo on Sept. 14 at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds on Coffeen Street in Watertown.

“The Senior Health and Wellness Expo will provide a one stop experience for people who want to meet and talk to health care professionals,” Senator Ritchie said. “Whether you want to check your blood pressure, get tips on how to keep fit, or get free health screenings, this event will help you preserve your health.”

Oswego County Ground Zero In Public Health Threat

State Senator Patty Ritchie and Assemblyman Will Barclay are praising Oswego County Health officials for their decision to conduct aerial spraying to reduce the chance of another tragedy from Eastern Equine Encephalitis infected mosquitoes.

“The families and children of Oswego County need to be protected from this deadly disease that has already cost one family their four-year-old child,” Senator Ritchie said. “Since the disease first appeared in New York State 40 years ago, it’s been clear that Central New York is ground zero in the state’s battle to protect public health. That's why Assemblyman Barclay and I have been urging the county to launch a spraying program.”

CLICK HERE to take the poll: https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dE9pZjh6ZzluVXZhcUx2YjYzYkUxR3c6MQ

State Senator Patty is asking her constituents what they think about Governor Andrew Cuomo’s suggestion that New York should take a look at legalizing Las Vegas-style casino gambling.

“Advocates of legalized casino gambling, including a group that wants to build a casino in Alexandria Bay in the Thousand Islands, say casinos will bring more tourists and create jobs,” Senator Ritchie said. “Opponents worry about issues of problem gambling and its impact on families and communities.”

“That’s why I have created an on-line poll on my Senate website to give the people of Northern and Central New York an opportunity to advise me on what they think I should do when the Senate considers this idea,” Senator Ritchie said. “Governor Cuomo wants to start a statewide discussion about how our state should regulate casino gambling and where we should allow it, if we allow it outside Native American reservations.”

Wants Consultation With North Country On Plan

State Senator Patty Ritchie is calling on the chancellor and the State University of New York to commit to a transparent and open process of consultation with the North Country as it develops a plan to share services between SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam.

"SUNY Potsdam and SUNY Canton are two very distinct institutions that serve very different groups of students," Senator Ritchie said. "It is very important that SUNY works together to insure that it preserves the separate identity of these colleges so they can continue to serve our region."

Named Legislator Of The Year

State Senator Patty Ritchie, an avid snowmobiler and outdoors person who has championed the sport both in her previous role as County Clerk and now as State Senator, was named “Legislator of the Year” by the state’s leading sled riders’ group.

The New York State Snowmobile Association presented its coveted “Bill Sears Appreciation Award” to Senator Ritchie at the group’s annual meeting Saturday in Cicero, Onondaga County.

Sen. Ritchie, who has been riding for over 40 years, owns several sleds and regularly rides trails throughout St. Lawrence County, is the first freshman lawmaker to receive the honor, named for the former State Senator from Central New York who was an early advocate for snowmobiling, and who helped create a statewide trail system that today spans more than 11,000 miles and is a boon to the wintertime economies of many Upstate communities.

State Senator Patty Ritchie today announced that her bill that boosts riding stables and other “commercial equine operations,” which will also translate to more business for farmers and suppliers, was signed into law by Gov. Cuomo.

The new law allows operators to qualify for agricultural assessments and other benefits that are extended to more traditional farms and horse boarding facilities.

“This new law boosts the horse industry by recognizing its growing importance and popularity and, as a result, helps other farmers and small businesses that provide the feed, grain and other supplies to horse owners, riders and enthusiasts,” said Sen. Ritchie.