Thomas P. Morahan

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Governor directs Flags to be Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Senator Morahan

Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on New York State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Friday, July 16, in honor of State Senator Thomas Morahan, who passed away on Monday, July 12. 

“I join with all New Yorkers in expressing our sympathy to Senator Morahan’s wife, Helen, and family,” Governor Paterson said. “Tom was an exceptional public servant, dedicated to bi-partisanship and serving his constituents and all New Yorkers. Our State has lost a tireless champion for New York’s most vulnerable populations and we must learn from his example and continue his work.”

July 14, 2010
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STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF NEW YORK STATE SENATOR THOMAS PATRICK MORAHAN

It is with great sadness that the staff of the 38th Senatorial District today announces the passing of New York State Senator Thomas Patrick Morahan, a highly respected New York State Legislator and a champion of mental health reform in the State.  Senator Morahan, 78, died at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center, after a six month struggle with Leukemia.  The Senator passed peacefully with his family at his bedside. For over 11 years, Senator Morahan represented the residents of Rockland County, as well as residents in the towns of Tuxedo and Warwick in Orange County. 

July 12, 2010
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Respectfully Observing Memorial Day

Each day as Americans, we enjoy the freedom of peace, prosperity and independence. These are virtues upon which the United States was built and ideals that bind us together as a nation. On Memorial Day we pause to remember that freedom comes at great cost. Throughout history, in fields, skies, and seas around the world, American military personnel have stood tall to oppose the enemies of freedom. Many of these brave servicemen and women gave their lives to defend our liberty and uphold the promise of our democracy.

May 24, 2010
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Senate Passes Landmark Legislation to Halt Bullying and Abuse in the Workplace

Morahan with Legislative Counsel Stephen Powers (left) and Communications Director Ron Levine (right) with passage of Bully Bill

 Senator Morahan (center) with Legislative Counsel Stephen Powers (left) and Communications Director Ron Levine (right) pause for a moment to celebrate passage of Landmark Bully Bill.

May 12, 2010
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NYS DOT wastes millions in taxpayer money

Recently the Senate’s Task Force on Government Efficiency, of which I am a member, released an investigative report citing $60 million dollars in potential cost-savings at the NYS Department of Transportation (DOT), and more than $200 million in funds the Department has already wasted. The report is the third in a series of investigations into state agency spending by the Task Force.

May 4, 2010
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Raising Awareness about child abuse and neglect

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and encourage individuals and communities to support children and families. The consequences are wide-ranging and affect us all. Child abuse leads to other problems – long term health and mental health problems, drug addiction, runaways, juvenile violence and adult crime. Most violent prisoners in our jails were abused or neglected as children.

April 19, 2010
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Morahan Returns to Senate Floor

Sen. Thomas Morahan, R-New City, Rockland County, was back in Albany Wednesday after a 41-day hospital stay, where he received chemotherapy treatments and blood transfusions to help fight leukemia.

During the session, Morahan received a standing ovation after he was introduced by Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein, D-Bronx, who said Morahan “looked as healthy as ever.”

The senator thanked everyone for their support and well wishes.

April 8, 2010
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New York State Senate Passes Resolution calling for an end to the use of the "R" word

The New York State Senate today passed a legislative resolution, introduced by Senator Thomas P. Morahan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Mental Health and Disabilities, calling on Governor David Paterson to proclaim March 2010 as Spread the Word to End the Word Awareness Month in the State of New York.

The Spread the Word to End the Word movement is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics and their supporters to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)" and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word.

April 6, 2010
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Providing for the Mental Health needs of Disaster Victims and their families

Last week I was appointed by the Senate Majority to Chair the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Committee, a post I held previously for a number of years.  As I assume this role I am very well aware of a number of mental health priorities that need to be addressed in our state.

January 19, 2010
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Statement from Senator Morahan on the Haitian Relief Effort

“As the immediate relief efforts are underway and ongoing in Haiti, it is my understanding that the Governor has instructed New York State to work with our federal officials and local officials on the ground to identify resource needs. Even as our resources are mobilized as quickly as possible, it will take hours -- and in many cases days -- to get all of our first-responders and resources on the ground in a safe and orderly manner.

January 14, 2010
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Helpful Holiday Shopping and Safety Tips

While many of us still enjoy supporting our local businesses during the holiday, shopping online has become  a very popular way to purchase gifts.

December 16, 2009
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Assembly Needs to Pass Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Legislation

Several weeks ago we commemorated the eighth anniversary of the September 11th attack on our nation.  At that time, during the Senate session in Albany,  I introduced a bill which was passed by the New York State Senate which would include post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among the list of biologically based  mental illnesses to be covered under Timothy's Mental Health Parity Law (

October 29, 2009
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Senator Morahan joins Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to introduce TRUST Legislation

Today, Senator Morahan flanked by his colleagues in the Assembly joined Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo and other elected officials to announce new, bipartisan legislation that would replace the sole trustee at the New York State Common Retirement Fund with a board of trustees and eliminate pay to play in state public pension funds.

October 14, 2009
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New Health Care Laws

I want to make you aware of two new laws that were recently signed that will help make health insurance more accessible for New York residents. I supported and voted for both of these measures during this year’s Senate session to help make health insurance more affordable for both families and young adults as our state recovers from the current economic crisis.

August 20, 2009
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Concern Over Governor's Welfare Giveaway Plans

I am very unhappy to report that Governor Paterson has secret plans to spend $140 million of federal stimulus money to give $200 per child “back to school” grants to welfare and food stamp recipients. The new welfare give-away reportedly was detailed in a secret memo from the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance.

August 11, 2009
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STATE SENATE PASSES SWEEPING LEGISLATIVE REFORMS

I’m very pleased that the Senate has passed the most significant, sweeping legislative reforms in its history. The beneficiaries of those changes are the people of this state. As result, the Senate will be more open, transparent and accountable.

Each and every member of the Senate will now be empowered by these reforms. Every Senator will be treated fairly and given equitable resources to ensure they can effectively represent their constituents.

The days of legislative leaders dominating everything that happens in Albany is over.

July 16, 2009
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STATE TO FUND ARTS AND CULTURAL PROJECTS IN ROCKLAND

(ALBANY) New York State Senator Thomas Morahan today announced that the New York State Council on the Arts will be providing $ 190,613 in grants for cultural programs in Rockland County.

The following organizations have been approved for project funding:

Arts Council of Rockland, Inc., located in Spring Valley $94, 518

Historical Society of Rockland County, located in New City $8, 900

Hudson Vagabond Puppets, located in Blauvelt $9, 000

Penguin Players Ltd, located in Thiells $18, 067

Rockland Center for the Arts, located in West Nyack $47, 045

July 16, 2009
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STATE TO FUND ARTS AND CULTURAL PROJECTS IN ORANGE COUNTY

(ALBANY) New York State Senator Thomas Morahan today announced that the New York State Council on the Arts will be providing $ 18,230 in grants for cultural programs in Orange County.

The following organizations have been approved for project funding:

Dancing Crane, Inc., located in Warwick $6, 230

Sound Directions, Inc., located in Warwick $12, 000

July 16, 2009
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New York Successfully Moving to Transform Medicaid into a High Quality, Cost-Effective Health Insurer

I am pleased to let you know that a recent report, “Transforming New York’s Public Health Insurance Programs: Expanding Access, Improving Quality and Controlling Costs,” cites how New York’s Medicaid program has been reformed through the reduction of inpatient rates, investment in primary and preventive care and ambulatory care services, and by providing incentives to practitioners who work in medically underserved areas and meet patient-centered medical home standards that advance integrated and coordinated care.

July 16, 2009
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Senator Morahan Statement on Situation in Albany

It has become apparent that the Governor’s calls for special sessions have not stopped the legislative gridlock at the Capitol and more definitive action must be taken. 

Senator Morahan has joined with members of the Senate Reform Coalition  in calling for binding arbitration to resolve the leadership dispute.

The Senator strongly believes that arbitration will be the key to resolving the impasse allowing us to put an end to what has become an unworkable situation.

June 25, 2009
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