New York State Senate

~ SENATOR TERRY GIPSON ~
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I am honored to have been elected as first-term NYS Senator for the 41st District, Dutchess and Putnam Counties. I'm a local business owner, homeowner and fulltime resident of Rhinebeck, in Dutchess County, and prior to current position as a NYS Senator, served two terms as a Village Trustee. My wife Michelle and I are active in community organizations including local historical societies, Farmers Market, two Chambers of Commerce, and the Morton Memorial and Starr Libraries. In 2006, I opened Gipson Design Group Inc., a small design firm which is located in Rhinebeck Village.

We lived in White Plains prior to moving to Rhinebeck in 2007, where I was a volunteer firefighter and a design director for MTV Networks and a designer for Rockwell Architecture. For more than 20 years, I made my living developing creative solutions for complex problems. As a leader in my field, I'm well regarded for my ability to consistently deliver for a wide variety of businesses and brands.

Born and raised in Tyler, Texas, I am proud of my family’s roots in farming. Encouraged to work hard and to be a self-starter, I put myself through school, graduating from Texas Tech with a BFA in 1987, and Penn State with an MFA in 1991. To do so, I worked as a landscaper, dishwasher, cook, carpenter, painter, cafeteria manager, and scenic and lighting designer.

I believe my multi-faceted background will be a great asset for pursuing an aggressive agenda in Albany. This philosophy has served me well in my profession and it will serve the people of New York even better. Nothing is impossible if you work hard, and have the imagination and leadership skills to get it done.

My top priorities include improving the economy and fostering job growth. This means we must improve the quality of education and prepare our children and young adults better for the new technologies of today, and tomorrow, while still fostering their own individual, creative talents. We must create incentives that encourage entrepreneurs to start up new businesses or expand their existing businesses right here in the Hudson Valley, rather than leaving for opportunities elsewhere. And, we must protect our natural resources and spur the creation of good jobs by promoting the use and manufacture of alternative energy sources.

I am a strong defender of civil rights and will advocate for equal rights on behalf of all New Yorkers. I will work to ensure equal pay for women in the workplace. I am pro-choice, and will fight for a woman’s right to choose should this ever be challenged on a state level. I will seek to preserve a vibrant and well-trained public workforce, and defend every worker’s right to a living wage, affordable healthcare and benefits.

We thank you for your continued support. I look forward to serving you, and will continue to spend every available moment in the district, meeting with constituents and neighbors.