Ted O'brien's posts related to Families

Senator O'Brien keeping our school buses safe

Posted by Ted O'Brien on Tuesday, March 5th, 2013

ALBANY, N.Y. – With Sen. O’Brien’s yes vote, the State Senate passed legislation yesterday closing a loophole that allowed those convicted of crimes against children and sexual and drug-related crimes to serve as bus monitors.

“With this simple, common-sense legislation, we’ve made concrete gains in protecting our children from potential predators,” O’Brien said. “It was an unfortunate loophole, since existing restrictions on people convicted of those types of crimes only applied to bus drivers. I was proud to stand with my colleagues and update our laws to keep children on school buses safe.”

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Senator O'Brien seeks restoration of funding for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities

Posted by Ted O'Brien on Thursday, March 7th, 2013

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Today, Senator O'Brien stood with local agencies who provide services and support to people with developmental disabilities in calling for the restoration of $120 million in funding cuts proposed in a recent budget amendment.

"Governor Cuomo has led the way in reforming the budget process and returning stability to Albany.  However, as we continue budget negotiations, I believe it is vital that we enable our state’s nonprofits to fulfill their essential roles in our communities. I look forward to working with the Governor and legislative leaders to pass a responsible, yet fair, budget,” Senator O’Brien said.

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Senator O'Brien votes "yes" on tax relief for families, small business development

Posted by Ted O'Brien on Monday, March 11th, 2013
Sen. O'Brien speaks about the one house budget resolution on the Senate floor

ALBANY, N.Y. – Today, Senator Ted O’Brien voted in favor of the Senate’s budget resolution, strongly supporting its calls for millions of dollars of tax relief for families, financial support for new, growing businesses and restoration of funding cuts for programs benefiting people with developmental disabilities.

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Senator O'Brien encourages environmental stewardship

Posted by Ted O'Brien on Monday, April 22nd, 2013

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.” 

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Senator O'Brien fights to curb texting while driving

Posted by Ted O'Brien on Sunday, May 19th, 2013
Senator O'Brien indicates his thumbprint on the "X the TXT!" banner

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.”

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First-generation American scholars recognized by Senator O'Brien

Posted by Ted O'Brien on Friday, May 31st, 2013
Senator O'Brien in the Senate chambers with the three School of the Arts students and their landlord at Keeler Park.

ALBANY, N.Y. – Today, Senator Ted O’Brien honored three Rochester School of the Arts students that are both first-generation Americans and members of the first generation of their families to receive a higher education. They are Mawia Elawad, whose family is Sudanese and will attend Alfred University this fall, Junwan Ge, whose family is Chinese and will be attending the University at Buffalo and Yuliya Otchych, whose family is Ukrainian and will be attending SUNY Oswego.

Senator O’Brien brought the students to Albany, introduced them on the floor of the Senate and presented each of them with a resolution honoring their accomplishment.

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