The Peru Gazette

The New York State Department of Labor Wage Board was expected to decide whether they would be lowering the overtime threshold for farmworkers from sixty to forty hours per week in 2020 but extended their decision until this year when they scheduled three additional hearings about the matter. Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) testified in […]

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) issued the following statement after Governor Hochul’s 2022-23 Executive Budget presentation:              “After the lengthy, self-aggrandizing budget proposals of recent memory, Governor Hochul’s budget presentation was to-the-point. “At first glance, there’s several items in her proposal that would benefit North Country families and businesses. For years, I’ve advocated for tax relief […]

 “Governor Kathy Hochul announced her proposed budget today that will help move our state forward and will address many issues people are experiencing across the North Country. This included funding that will help the North Country get back to work such as $10 billion for healthcare, $31 billion for education including a $1.6 billion increase […]

          “Unfortunately I tested positive for COVID-19 but I am taking all the necessary precautions and have started to quarantine. I am thankful that I am vaccinated and got my booster shot but this is a reminder of how prevalent COVID-19 is in our community. We all must continue to work together to get through […]

Source: With all of its problems, New York made time to outlaw little shampoo bottles in hotels – syracuse.com

              To address the severe lack of access to COVID-19 testing, Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) and his district staff delivered more than 1,000 test kits to locations across the entire 45th Senate District. Providing these tests to local organizations will help ailing residents receive the medical care they need and assist communities in combating […]

Source: New York state saw nation’s third-highest outbound migration last year – syracuse.com

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones As the North Country experiences a record number of positive COVID-19 cases, testing sites and vaccination sites continue to work on overdrive to provide important resources to keep the community safe. Last week, a new state testing site opened at Plattsburgh State and one opened in Malone a […]

“As the 2022 legislative session begins, there’s much to be done if we’re finally going to get New York State, and upstate in particular, heading in the right direction. While I agree with aspects of Governor Hochul’s agenda and look forward to working with her on those items, she also failed to address other important […]

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones Today began the start of the 2022 legislative session with Governor Kathy Hochul giving her first State of the State address, the first woman in New York to ever do so. Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) was pleased with many of her proposals and the tone of her […]

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) joined members of local tourism agencies and business owners to urge New York to renew funding for the Beekmantown Gateway Center, the first rest stop for southbound travelers on Interstate 87 located between Exits 41 and 40. The Adirondack Regional Tourism Council was […]

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones Last week, Governor Hochul signed A1396/S3762 and A5854/S3566 into law right as the deadline was approaching after vetoing A7598/S6603 earlier in the week. These three bills were referred to as the Pharmacy Rescue Package because they will regulate Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBMs) and will help keep independent pharmacies […]

Source: New York laws taking effect in 2022

Source: No, NY lawmakers are not voting on bill to detain the unvaccinated (FACT CHECK) – syracuse.com

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones Last year, the State Legislature approved $105 million in the State Budget for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). This funding has been used to provide grants for artists and organizations across the state to help keep the arts thriving in New York. The pandemic […]

Source: New legislation makes fake vaccination cards a crime | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed new legislation to improve the state’s response to the pandemic, including streamlined school access to immunization databases and funding

Source: Injured firefighter support measure signed into law | Sun Community News QUEENSBURY | Legislation co-sponsored by Sen. Dan Stec (R,C,I-Queensbury) that adds vascular rupture to the list of injuries covered under the Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Law was

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones During the 2021 legislative session, the New York State Legislature passed three bills called the Pharmacy Rescue Package (A1396/S3762, A5457/S3566, and A7598/S6603) to regulate Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). All three bills have overwhelming support from state legislators, with A1396/S3762 passing the Assembly unanimously and A7598/S6603 passing both houses […]

  Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) recently announced that he will prioritize providing easier access to health care and broadband internet services, particularly in rural communities, during the upcoming 2022 legislative session. “New York’s rural communities have long dealt with unique struggles that continue to receive insufficient attention from the state government,” Assemblyman Jones said. […]

          “Once again the Canadian government is implementing a testing requirement which will impede the North Country’s recovery. I join North Country leaders and business leaders in opposing this short-sighted and counterproductive policy change. These restrictions do not just impact the local economy, they also make it extremely difficult for folks to visit their loved […]

“I am proud to support many of the projects Governor Hochul announced will be receiving funding as part of the most recent round of REDC grants. This funding will go towards community enhancement and will help local towns, municipalities and nonprofits improve water infrastructure, expand regional sports and recreational activities, increase tourism, and continue to […]

  Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) announced that a bill he authored to help stop the spread of invasive aquatic species in the Adirondacks was signed by Governor Hochul today. “I am proud to have authored this bill that will help combat aquatic invasive species in the Adirondack region and I want to thank Governor […]

COVID-19 cases have increased dramatically across the North Country over the past few weeks with Franklin County reporting the highest number of daily new cases last week. Every county in the North Country is currently under a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is in desperate need of state resources to help […]

Source: Longtime Veteran Services director honored in Hall of Fame | Sun Community News PLATTSBURGH | After nearly two decades of service with the United States Air Force, Steven Bowman’s military career then shifted to a lifetime legacy of advocacy that continues

Steve Bowman was honored with induction into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame by NYS Senator Dan Stec, at the Clinton County Legislature’s December 8 session, 2021. Taped by Calvin Castine. Thank you, Calvin!!!!!! Click here to view video