Suzi Oppenheimer's Press releases

On April 25, 2012, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) and the Democratic Conference hosted a public forum on hydraulic fracturing, also known as “hydrofracking.”  A capacity crowd attended the forum, including environmental activists, legislators, economists, healthcare professionals and residents from throughout New York State.  Attendees at the forum discussed issues and potential health care concerns about hydrofracking, a form of natural gas drilling.

Lars Schonander of Iona Grammar Wins Oppenheimer's Second Annual Geography Bee

On April 16, 2012, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) hosted her second annual Geography Bee for local middle school students at Iona Grammar School in New Rochelle. Eighth grade students from four area middle schools – Blind Brook Middle School in Rye Brook, Iona Grammar School in New Rochelle, and both the Rye County Day School and Rye Middle School in Rye – participated in this year’s competition. 

Lars Schonander of Iona Grammar emerged victorious in the geography bee, surviving stiff competition from fellow Iona classmates Thibault Forgeas and Stefan Lindblom, Rye Brook’s Sam Zarkower, Rye Country Day’s Daniel Kozek and Rye Middle School eighth grader, Mihir Bala.  Everyone present was impressed by the depth of knowledge that each student demonstrated.

Senate and Assembly Budget Proposals Would Reallocate Funds from Competitive Education Grants

The New York State Senate voted earlier this week to approve its 2012-13 Senate Budget Resolution, which will form the basis for further negotiations with the Assembly and the Executive Branch on the final FY 2012-23 budget.

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck), the Ranking Member of the Senate Education Committee, fought for several changes in the proposed Education budget that were included in the Senate Resolution.  Chief among them was the proposal to reallocate $200 million from the Governor’s competitive performance grant program to increase State Aid to education.

Seizing the opportunity at a recent Joint Legislative Budget hearing on Environmental Conservation, Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) asked New York’s top energy official about the availability of adequate and affordable alternative energy sources should the Indian Point nuclear plant be closed.

“We know that the Governor is very interested in closing down the nuclear power plant, Indian Point, which supplies energy to Westchester and New York City,” said the Senator.  “What would be your best guess for what will take the place of Indian Point if it does get closed?” asked Oppenheimer of NYS Energy Research Development Authority President and CEO, Francis J. Murray.

Murray, who served on a National Academy of Sciences Committee specifically formed to address this question, replied:

“We were not asked to opine whether Indian Point should or should not operate.  We were given the assumption that Indian Point is closing.  Can we in fact assure adequate power, energy and ancillary services?  And the resounding answer to that question is ‘yes.’  There are many options available that will ensure that energy will continue to flow into the metropolitan New York City area.”

Senator stands ready to work with Governor on ambitious agenda to create jobs and restore aging infrastructure

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) offered her strong support for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s ambitious agenda to build a “new” New York in 2012.  “Last year, we charted a new course in Albany, tackling tough issues and rebuilding public trust,” said Oppenheimer, “and I am anxious to continue that progress.”

The Senator applauded the Governor’s economic blueprint to grow New York’s economy and spur job creation.  She noted that plans to accelerate capital investment in a rebuilt Tappan Zee Bridge and a new, state-of-the-art New York City convention center will create thousands of jobs in our greater metropolitan area.  The Governor also pledged to speed the rebuilding of New York’s aging bridges, roads and parks, a move that will produce jobs while ensuring that the state remains competitive and safe.  “His private/public sector approach to economic development will allow the State to leverage its limited public infrastructure dollars to maximum benefit,” said Oppenheimer.

State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) today applauded Governor Cuomo’s comprehensive Job Creation package, which includes significant reductions in the MTA Payroll Tax and state flood relief assistance for individuals, small businesses, and local governments hard hit by recent flood disasters.

Senator Oppenheimer stated, “The MTA Payroll Tax needs to be eliminated for suburban counties. The $250 million cut in the payroll tax, which is targeted to small businesses, self-employed individuals and private and parochial schools, will be of special benefit to Westchester.”

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) urges consumers to support small businesses as they head to the stores this holiday season.  “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and the engine of job creation in New York,” said Oppenheimer.  Noting that Saturday, November 26th has been designated the second annual Small Business Saturday®, Oppenheimer hopes that shoppers will support their neighborhood stores on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. 

Senator Acknowledged for Outstanding and Dedicated Service in Support of Libraries

The Metropolitan New York Library Council (“METRO”) has honored State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) for her “outstanding and dedicated service in support of libraries.”  The award was presented to Senator Oppenheimer at METRO’s annual meeting on October 17, 2011, in New York City. 

Calling her “a great friend and supporter of the library community,” METRO Board President Norman Jacknis noted that Senator Oppenheimer is the only legislator to have earned an A+ on the New Yorkers for Better Libraries’ report card of legislative accountability.  Senator Oppenheimer “has sponsored five library bills, four of them have already passed, and she’s made a valiant effort to restore library funding,” said Jacknis.  “In honor of her long-standing commitment to the library community and for her many vital contributions to our area, METRO is pleased to present Senator Suzi Oppenheimer with a special award recognizing her outstanding work.”

Senator Suzi Oppenheimer (D-Mamaroneck) and the Women’s Enterprise Development Center Inc. (WEDC) are pleased to announce that they will host a Small Business & Economic Development Forum on Tuesday, October 18th, 2011, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at the White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Avenue, White Plains.  This is the 20th small business conference hosted by the Senator, which is being held this year with the generous support of Capital One Bank. 

This year’s forum will focus on “Putting Small Business First in New York” and will feature Steve Cohen, Senior Vice President and Deputy Commissioner of Empire State Development (ESD).  Since joining ESD, Cohen has led efforts to implement and refine programs to support small business development, increase access to capital, and improve the economic climate in communities throughout New York State.  Over the past year, ESD programs have facilitated the creation of hundreds of new businesses, millions of dollars in capital investments in small businesses and community development projects, and the creation and retention of thousands of jobs.