Thank you to reporter Robert Harding from The Citizen for this special story on how my advocacy, alongside many constituent and families, led to getting adult changing stations installed at select service areas along the New York State Thruway.

The first of five changing stations is now available at the Warners Service Area in Onondaga County.

Read more in this press release from the New York State Thruway Authority and watch my video.

As your State Senator, I will always work to expand accessibility for individuals with disabilities and special needs and provide every opportunity they deserve.

NYS has the lowest homeownership rate in the nation. Homeownership used to be the pathway to building equity and generational prosperity for your family.

We can make the American Dream possible again.

As the ranking member of the Senate Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee, I've been working with my colleagues to put forth solutions to create more housing that is more accessible, and more affordable, for more people.  

Our legislative package proposes tax credits and incentives, reduces regulatory burdens, and facilitates new construction as well as improvements to existing housing stock, in collaboration with local municipalities.

Read more about my bills and our Conference's legislative package. 

Read my latest column published in the Rochester Business Journal and your local newspaper .

According to the latest Siena College Upstate NY Business Leader Survey, 76% of Finger Lakes business leaders say that state government is a detriment to doing business in NY.

Further, 62% of local leaders indicated that government regulation is the challenge they face that most concerns them.

The Legislature has the ability to course correct and support our business community.

I'll never waver in my advocacy for local businesses, because it's our job in Albany to support the job creators! 

Thousands of seniors died as a result of COVID-19 and thousands more passed away in isolated nursing homes. They cannot be forgotten.

New York State failed our seniors and families, our nursing homes and healthcare workers. People deserve transparency about the decisions that were made to ensure we never make those same mistakes again. Four years later, we are still fighting for the state's independent review of the COVID response for those we loved and lost. 

I shared a personal story while joining Voices for Seniors, Congressman Marc Molinaro, and my legislative colleagues to urge the release of this review. 

The RAPID Act is flying under the radar in Albany but you should know about it. It stands for Renewable Action through Project Interconnection and Deployment and seeks to streamline the permitting process for major renewable energy projects.

Know what else it does? It allows for private property, and conserved lands, to be forcefully taken by eminent domain for these energy facilities.

This is beyond egregious and I'll keep fighting to stop it. 

To commemorate Women’s History Month, members of the NYS Legislative Women’s Caucus honored female leaders from their district.

My honoree is Ellen Bennett, a longtime volunteer at Special Olympics New York. Ellen, a Livonia resident, has been involved with Special Olympics for over 15 years and is a certified coach for swimming and alpine skiing. She also recently started a bowling program for athletes.

I'm pictured here with Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes who honored Dr. M. Fernanda Astiz, Director of the Mount Morris Library.

Photos of the honorees were displayed in the NYS Capitol throughout the month of March.

Congratulations to Roberts Wesleyan University Men's Volleyball Team on winning the 2024 National Christian College Athletic Association Men's Volleyball Invitational Championship!

Coach Mike Dedee has built a foundation for this program that is dedicated to hard work and character.

I was proud to welcome the team to the Senate Chamber and recognize their extraordinary accomplishment.

Go Redhawks!

I always say, if you want to be inspired, talk with a young person!

It was an inspiration to present my Youth Leadership Recognition Award to 24 high school juniors representing 22 school districts and every county in my district.

You'll find their names on my website and the video of the ceremony will be posted soon - so you can feel inspired, too!

The Bread Box Art Studio's mission is to cultivate an inclusive community centered around artistic expression.

It's located on Ridge Road in Williamson and was started by Dawn Butler, a nurse with a passion for both healthcare and the arts. 

Let's all support our local small businesses! 

The state recently launched its first training stipend program for volunteer firefighters. This funding will help offset the cost of training courses volunteer firefighters are required to complete.

This is part of our ongoing efforts to increase recruitment and retention in the volunteer fire service essential to our local communities.

In this picture, I'm presenting a NYS Senate Proclamation to 70-year Port Gibson volunteer firefighter, Mr. Roger Yost. 

With the expansion of the state's Lifetime Liberty Pass Program, New York's Veterans and Gold Star Families will now have free access to NYS parks, campgrounds, historic sites and recreation areas. 

I was proud to support the legislation passed last year that made this possible.