Ted O'Brien

FAIRPORT AND EAST ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Today, Senator Ted O’Brien stood with local residents and insurance representatives to promote safe driving through the “X the TXT” initiative, amid recent reports that texting while driving now causes more teen fatalities than drunk driving.

“As a father and a legislator, my top priority is keeping our children safe from harm,” Senator O’Brien said. “Texting while driving is one of the leading easily prevented causes of death among young people today. The ‘X the TXT’ program is a great way to educate our kids about the dangers of texting while driving and help them make good decisions when they’re on the road. I’m proud to support this life-saving initiative.”

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – As part of the Earth Day 2013 observance, Senator Ted O’Brien encourages all New Yorkers to commit to preserving our natural resources and protecting our environment for future generations.

“New York has been blessed with abundant natural resources and we have a responsibility to serve as stewards for our environment,” Senator O’Brien said. “For New York to have a vibrant future, we must ensure our natural resources are used by sustainable industries for long-term job growth. Our children deserve to inherit a New York that is economically prosperous and environmentally sound.” 

ALBANY, N.Y. – The Senate Democratic Conference today unveiled a tough legislative ethics package designed to reform state government and combat the ongoing corruption issues facing New York State. The Conference also announced their support for the principles of the Governor’s legislative package the “New York Public Trust Act.” 

“The events of the past few weeks have shown all New Yorkers more must be done to clean up Albany,” Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said. “Public corruption and the abuse of power by elected officials is a serious problem that must be confronted and eliminated. I urge my colleagues in the Senate Republican Coalition join with the Senate Democratic Conference to clean up Albany.”

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Senator Ted O’Brien and business leaders stood together today to send a clear message that upstate homeowners and small businesses should not be forced to pay $200 million to replace a downstate power plant that is of no benefit to local energy consumers.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Senator Ted O’Brien has nominated former Pittsford Schools Superintendent Mary Alice Price for inclusion among the Senate’s “Women of Distinction” honorees, in recognition of achievements during her 40-year career as an educator and administrator.

“Mary Alice Price exemplifies the type of leadership that New York State needs in all of its institutions,” Senator O’Brien said. “The outpouring of support and gratitude that Superintendent Price received from her former students and colleagues when she retired was most impressive. I believe that her style of leadership serves as an example to all of us, myself included.”

ALBANY, N.Y. – Senator Ted O’Brien announced today that he voted in favor of the 2013-14 state budget, as it was passed by the State Senate.  The budget included significant tax relief for middle class families and small businesses in addition to strategic investments to encourage job creation and economic development in the Monroe and Ontario County communities Senator O’Brien represents.

“The hardworking families and small businesses who live in the 55th District have struggled long enough under a crushing tax burden and stagnant job market." Senator O’Brien said. “The nearly $2 billion in tax cuts included in this year’s budget are a crucial first step toward unleashing a new era of economic growth in our region.”

Rochester, NY - Senator O'Brien today wrote to the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) opposing efforts by Consolidated Edison (Con Ed) and New York Power Authority (NYPA) to charge Upstate taxpayers at least $200 million to subsidize potential changes to the Indian Point Energy Center, located in Westchester County.