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W. Robert Nolan

W. Robert Nolan is an Army veteran of World War II Central Intelligence Agency and Army Reserve officer during the Cold War.

W. Robert Nolan, a Rochester native now living in Fairport, served his country in two distinct yet both vitally important ways. During the Second World War, he served with the 104th Infantry Division, the Timberwolves. After his wartime service, Mr. Nolan also spent decades in the service of the Central Intelligence Agency. 

May 20, 2013
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Senator O'Brien fights to curb texting while driving

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.”

May 19, 2013
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O’Brien, Morelle call for first-degree murder charges for those who deliberately target prosecutors

 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- State Senator Ted O’Brien and Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle today announced they are jointly sponsoring a bill that defines the deliberate slaying of a public prosecutor while on duty as first-degree murder.

Under current state law, the premeditated murder of a prosecutor does not automatically carry a first-degree charge, but after the recent killing of two district attorneys in Kaufman County, Texas, that needs to change, O’Brien and Morelle said.

May 16, 2013
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Messenger Post: New Yorkers deserve real reform

I recently shared my thoughts on the corruption issues plaguing Albany with the Messenger Post family of newspapers:

"I was elected to the New York State Senate last year, and I understand what the residents of Monroe and Ontario Counties expect of me. They trust that I will fight every day to reduce the burden of property taxes, revitalize our economy and encourage growth in emerging technologies to create the jobs of the future. This has been my focus since I took office, but when our Legislature is hit by scandal after scandal, and nearly nine in 10 New Yorkers think corruption is a major problem in our state, it’s difficult for government to work effectively."

May 14, 2013
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Senator O'Brien to Recognize Poster Contest-Winning Fairport Student

What:

Senator O’Brien will be meeting with a student at Martha Brown Middle School in Fairport who won the 55th District’s Earth Day poster contest.

He will be presented with a certificate and a copy of his poster that was displayed in the halls of the Legislative Office Building in the state capital complex in Albany.

When:

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.

Where:

Martha Brown Middle School665 Ayrault Rd.Fairport, NY 14450

Additional information:

May 14, 2013
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Mary Alice Price

A tireless educator, Mary Alice Price has spent her adult life making a difference in the lives of children. After a distinguished 40-year career as an educator and administrator, most recently as Superintendent of the Pittsford Schools east of Rochester, New York, she took her well-deserved retirement in January 2013.

May 13, 2013
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Our district office has moved!

Last week, we completed our move from our temporary district office space in Fairport to our permanent space in Penfield. We are now located at:

2494 Browncroft Blvd.Rochester, NY 14625-1410

We're right on the northwest corner of Browncroft Blvd. and Creek St., across from the "Browncroft Corners" plaza.

Unfortunately, we were unable to keep our previous phone and fax numbers. Our new numbers are:

Phone: (585) 218-0034Fax: (585) 218-0047

I and my staff look forward to seeing you in Penfield!

Very truly yours,Ted

Ted O'BrienNew York State Senator, 55th District

May 13, 2013
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Senator O'Brien to honor veterans in Albany

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Today, Senator Ted O'Brien nominated two Rochester-area veterans, Lyle Dupra and W. Robert Nolan, to the State Senate's "Veterans Hall of Fame," honoring their distinguished service to their country.

"It is my distinct pleasure to honor these two men for their service to this country," Senator O'Brien said.  "I hope that this Hall of Fame and the stories of its honorees serve to remind us all of the sacrifices those in uniform have made and continue to make to keep this country strong."

April 29, 2013
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Senator O'Brien encourages environmental stewardship

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.” 

April 22, 2013
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Earth Day 2013 Poster Contest: District 55

Dear Students,

Thank you for your wonderful contribution to the New York State Senate’s Earth Day Poster Contest.   This year we received many outstanding posters that exemplify the creativity of the young people in the 55th Senatorial District.

Each entry from my District displayed tremendous originality and vision as well as obvious concern for the ecological future of our communities and our state.  I am proud of your work and that of your classmates, and encourage you to continue to study and learn more about the serious challenges that face our environment.

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the 2013 Earth Day Poster Contest from my District is:

Tyler Staffieri

April 16, 2013
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Senator O'Brien and Democratic Conference unveil tough ethics package

 

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.”

April 16, 2013
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Senator O'Brien, school officials tout positive impact of increased state education funding

 

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Senator Ted O’Brien and the superintendents of four schools districts gathered at his office to speak out on significant increases in school aid in this year’s state budget and the expected positive impact on local students.

“I fought hard to increase school aid because a quality education is the key to giving our young people the tools they need to succeed in the workplace and become the job creators in the future,” Sen. O’Brien said.   “More state funding for schools also relieves the cost burden on local governments and reduces the need to raise property taxes, which are the biggest impediment to growing our middle class.  

April 11, 2013
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Senator O'Brien speaks out against plan to increase energy costs for upstate ratepayers

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.

April 5, 2013
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Ted O’Brien: New York on right track, but work remains

The Messenger Post newspapers were recently kind enough to allow me to share some of my thoughts on the budget process with their readership.

In short, there are many accomplishments in the budget that I believe all New Yorkers should be proud of, but I do think there are several areas where the state legislature's work is far from over.

See http://www.mpnnow.com/opinions/x1433806964/Ted-O-Brien-New-York-on-right-track-but-work-remains for my full comments.(And an archived copy, in case the above link fails: http://www.webcitation.org/6Fd1TZ8XY

April 4, 2013
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Senator O'Brien Nominates Mary Alice Price for "Women of Distinction" Honor

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.”

April 1, 2013
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O'Brien speaks on the 2013-14 State budget

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Senator O'Brien speaks out on the tax relief and economic development initiatives he embraces in the new state budget.

March 27, 2013
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O'Brien, State Senate pass on-time budget

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.”

March 27, 2013
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It's your money: Could you be paying for a downstate power plant?

Upstate businesses and families shouldn't have to pay $200 million to help replace a New York City power plant.I have reached out to the Public Service Commission expressing my concerns about the Indian Point contingency plan, and recently spoke with WHEC-TV Rochester about my concerns, as well.See http://www.whec.com/news/stories/s2965547.shtml?cat=566 for more information.(Here's an archived copy, in case the above link fails: http://www.webcitation.org/6FEsgH3xH

March 19, 2013
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O’Brien: Don't pass Indian Point costs onto upstate taxpayers

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.

March 15, 2013
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Senator O'Brien votes "yes" on tax relief for families, small business development

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.

March 11, 2013
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