New York

November 6 , 2009 -- “Today, President Obama signed a federal extension of Unemployment Insurance, ensuring that nearly 55,000 New Yorkers who had previously exhausted their benefits will be entitled to an additional 20 weeks.

“Unemployment Insurance was created as a safety net for workers who found themselves out of work through no fault of their own. In an economic climate where there is only one job for every six unemployed New Yorkers, Unemployment Insurance has taken on a different meaning. It has quickly changed from a safety net to a lifeline.    » read more »

By-the-Numbers Analysis Shows Affordable Health Care for America Act will Benefit Hudson Valley Families

November 7, 2009 -- Washington, DC – With the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R.3962) being debated on the House floor today, U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-Dover) released a report on the direct impacts of the legislation on New York's 19th Congressional District.    » read more »

11/03/09 -- Washington, DC -- Today Congressman Tim Bishop announced that Suffolk County was the top recipient of federal recovery funding outside of New York City in the latest round of stimulus funding reports by the state. Out of the $18 billion distributed statewide, Suffolk County received $1,110,135. The next highest county, Nassau, received $631 million.    » read more »

TONAWANDA, N.Y., (11/02/09) - The New York National Guard along with local officials from Erie County and the cities of Tonawanda, Buffalo and Niagara Falls joined with other state, regional and federal officials to formally announce the launch of the largest emergency response exercise to have ever been conducted in Western New York.

"Vigilant Guard is an opportunity for military and civilian professionals to train together and prepare for a potential catastrophe we all naturally hope will never happen," said Brig. Gen. Michael Swezey, commander of the Guard's Joint Task Force 6, based in Buffalo.    » read more »

10/29/09 -- Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Tim Bishop voted in favor of legislation that will bring significant federal aid for clean water infrastructure in New York and protect the Long Island Sound. The House of Representatives passed the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations conference report, which emphasizes reducing pollution in our air and water, cleaning up dangerous toxic waste sites, encouraging energy efficiency, and promoting the development of renewable clean energy sources.    » read more »

Announces Final Approval of $2.25 Million Federal Investment to Attract New Businesses & Create More Than 100 New Jobs

October 19, 2009 -- Kingston, NY - Two and a half years after helping to establish The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC), Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today led a Hudson Valley solar energy summit that featured a unique combination of three dozen solar energy company executives, researchers, marketers, and elected officials.    » read more »

Defendants Charged With Fraudulently Obtaining More Than $64 Million in Residential Mortgages on More Than 100 Properties; Lawyers, Mortgage Brokers, and Loan Officers Among Those Arrested in "Operation Bad Deeds"

October 15, 2009 -- PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, JOSEPH M. DEMAREST, JR., the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), RICHARD H. NEIMAN, the Superintendent of Banks for New York State, RENE FEBLES, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General ("HUD-OIG"), BRIAN G.    » read more »

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Charges Hedge Fund Managers, Fortune 500 Executives, and Management Consulting Director in $20 Million Insider Trading Case

October 16, 2009 -- PREET BHARARA, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and JOSEPH DEMAREST, JR., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), today announced charges against six individuals arising out of their alleged involvement in the largest hedge fund insider trading case in history.    » read more »

More H1N1 Vaccine Arrives in State; Influenza Activity in New York Now Considered Widespread

October 16, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that as of October 15, New York State’s Medicaid program will provide reimbursement to Medicaid enrolled pharmacies for the administration of seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccines by certified pharmacists to Medicaid fee-for-service enrollees 18 years and older.

Medicaid managed care and Family Health Plus enrollees will be able to access immunization services through their health plans. The Governor also reported that influenza activity in New York State is now considered widespread, with more than 50 percent of counties reporting influenza activity.    » read more »

“Great Appliance Swap Out” to Provide Rebates for Energy Efficient Appliances

October 16, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York has submitted a plan for federal approval that would provide consumers with rebates for purchasing certain energy-efficient refrigerators, clothes washers, freezers and dishwashers through a program funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

If New York’s plan is approved by federal government, the Great Appliance Swap Out program will allow the State to issue nearly 170,000 rebates totaling $16.8 million.    » read more »

Urge City to make commitment to keep Center in Coney Island indefinitely, beyond lease expiration of May 2010

October 16, 2009 -- NEW YORK, N.Y. – Today, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Councilman Domenic Recchia, State Senators Diane Savino and Carl Kruger, and Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny expressed thanks to Robert Doar, Commissioner of the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA), for his willingness to maintain services at the City’s Coney Island Food Stamp Center.    » read more »

Part of $49 Million in Grants Across the Nation

Glens Falls, NY, Oct 16 - Today, Congressman Scott Murphy applauded the announcement of more than $1 million in grants for New York State farms provided through the Department of Agricultures’ Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

This week, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced 55 grants totaling approximately $49 million for 745 projects throughout the country to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, which are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.    » read more »

10/16/09 -- WASHINGTON - Congresswomen Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today announced that organizations in Westchester and Rockland Counties will receive tens of thousands in federal funding to support a variety of housing and homeownership services, and the City of White Plains will receive more than $900,000 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

“The housing crisis is especially severe in the New York metropolitan area where the cost of living is so high and affordable housing opportunities are so difficult to find,” said Lowey. “I am pleased this federal funding will support community organizations’ efforts to help those in need of housing assistance.”    » read more »

Project Expected To Create Up To 300 New Jobs In Central New York

October 15, 2009 -- Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today pushed for federal economic recovery dollars for the Auburn Biodiesel Corporation to develop and expand the ports at Oswego and Montezuma, New York, to add new biodiesel capabilities at both locations.

The federal dollars would be allocated by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which Senator Gillibrand helped pass earlier this year. The project is expected create up to 300 long-term jobs and provide an economic boost for local farmers, according to the Port of Oswego.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- Rep. Louise Slaughter said that a new hearing in Congress on the benefits of high-speed rail demonstrates again that the projects can spark economic growth, new jobs and improved quality of life. Slaughter has been a leader in New York in pushing for creation of a new efficient high speed corridor between Albany and Buffalo and has worked closely with federal, state and local officials to bring the plan to fruition.    » read more »