New York

Bills Would Help to Create and Retain Jobs and Advance Governor Paterson’s Clean Energy Initiatives

June 5, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today introduced a package of five Governor’s program bills to advance New York’s emerging clean energy economy, create jobs, protect the environment and save the State money.    » read more »

Legislation Would Limit Telemarketing Abuse, Provide Redress Against Illegal Debt Collection Practices and Advance Consumer Information Privacy

June 5, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he has submitted three bills to the Legislature to greatly strengthen New York’s consumer protection laws. The legislation focuses on several important areas: telemarketing, sale of sensitive personal information, and debt collection.    » read more »

Projects Will Create and Renovate Wastewater Systems, Creating an Estimated 1,300 Jobs

June 4, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced clean water projects selected to receive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. Twenty-two communities from across the State will be awarded $130 million for the construction of water treatment plants and the installation of sewer system upgrades.

The projects are located in Allegany, Columbia, Essex, Greene, Jefferson, Madison, Nassau, Niagara, Otsego, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Washington, and Westchester counties.    » read more »

Agreement will Create Structure for States to Collaborate on Offshore Renewable Energy and Other Pressing Ocean Issues

June 4, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson and New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine today announced an historic interstate agreement committed to improving ocean health by creating the Governors Mid-Atlantic Council on Oceans.

Recognizing that renewable offshore energy can foster a more efficient and sustainable regional economy and improve the quality of life for citizens, the Governors are creating a structure for the States to collaborate on improving energy security and independence in the region through development of offshore renewable energy while accommodating other ocean uses.    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter to Fritz Henderson, Chairman of General Motors, late yesterday on behalf of Tonawanda employees, who are expected to lose their jobs due to the company’s decision to shift more engine production to Mexico.

On Monday, GM announced that they will be eliminating 271 jobs at the Tonawanda Engine Plant in Western New York, a large portion of which will be moving to Mexico. Senator Gillibrand’s letter urged GM to apply for trade adjustment assistance (TAA) benefits for their former employees.    » read more »

Following Governor’s Intervention, GLOBALFOUNDRIES and the Greater Capital District Building and Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO Agree to Project Labor Agreement

June 3, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that an agreement on a Project Labor Agreement (PLA) has been reached between GLOBALFOUNDRIES and local labor, allowing construction to move forward on one of the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing facilities in the world and one of the largest private sector industrial investments in New York State. The PLA between the Greater Capital District Building and Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO and M+W Zander – the firm working on the Fab 2 project – will be signed this week to finalize the labor peace agreement.    » read more »

Proposed Legislation Will Protect Distressed Homeowners and Tenants, Prevent Urban Decay, and Establish Safeguards Against Foreclosure Rescue Scams

June 3, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced legislation that would build upon a landmark subprime lending reform law enacted last year by providing additional critical protections for New York State homeowners, tenants and neighborhoods in the wake of the ongoing foreclosure crisis. The bill would help homeowners currently at risk of foreclosure and minimize the negative impact that foreclosures can have on a community.    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- “It is with deep sadness that we learn that New York has lost an Onondaga County resident to an illness related to the H1N1 influenza. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my sincere condolences and prayers to his family and friends during their time of grief.

“As more cases of H1N1 are identified in New York State, unfortunately, we expect some cases to be fatal, especially for those who contract the virus and have underlying medical conditions. This is consistent with what we see during our influenza season each year. Annually, there are approximately 2,000 deaths in New York State from seasonal influenza and an estimated 36,000 deaths nationwide.    » read more »

Thirteen Community Groups Will Receive Funding to Hire 1,338 AmeriCorps Workers to Improve Programs for Local Youth

June 2, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Corporation for National and Community Service will provide a total of $7,719,922 to 13 community centers in New York City. The funding will hire 1,338 AmeriCorps workers to help New York City students improve their education.

"This funding will bring real results to students in New York City schools," Schumer said. “Additional classroom staffing will provide each student the personal attention they need to succeed in school and in the future. I will do everything I can to ensure that programs likes these are funded so that our schools can provide the best education to their students.”    » read more »

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Will Invest Over $1.3 Million at Medical Research Facilities in Western NY

June 2, 2009 -- U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will provide a total of $1,346,463 to two research institutions in Western NY through the National Institutes for Health. The University at Buffalo will receive $212,022 and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) will receive $1,134,441. This funding will create jobs for those in the field and bolster research efforts on important areas of medicine. A total of $9.9 million will be administered to New York State research institutions.    » read more »

State Agencies Will Collaborate on the Development of a Coordinated Strategy to Eradicate Childhood Exposure to Lead

June 2, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the creation of the Governor’s Task Force on the Prevention of Childhood Lead Poisoning to further the State’s efforts to eliminate childhood lead poisoning. The Task Force will bring together a variety of State agencies to make findings and recommendations for the development and implementation of a coordinated strategy to reduce childhood exposure to lead.    » read more »

NWF and NRDC Help Notch a Win with Implications Throughout the Great Lakes

(June 1, 2009) -- A New York State Supreme Court Justice dismissed a challenge brought by shipping interests against the state’s tough new ballast water requirements, which are designed to limit the introduction of more invasive species into the Great Lakes.

Legal experts at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) hail the win as a huge victory for states in the region that have taken an aggressive stand to limit dumping of water containing biological pollution from ocean going vessels. Alien species have already cost the Great Lakes economy billions of dollars.    » read more »

Report Contains 27 Major Recommendations to Help Create Jobs, Generate Economic Activity, Benefit Colleges and Universities across New York State

June 1, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today accepted the final report from the New York State Commission on Asset Maximization. The Commission was charged with broadly examining whether asset maximization can benefit the State, as well as whether any specific New York assets are suitable candidates for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).    » read more »

Bridge Replacement to Improve Safety in Onondaga County

June 1 , 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the start of construction on a $7.7 million project to replace the bridge carrying Bartell Road over Interstate 81 in Onondaga County, the first American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) construction contract to begin in the Syracuse area. Crews will replace the existing bridge with a new structure and improve pedestrian and cyclist paths throughout the project area in Cicero.

Governor Paterson recently certified this and 11 other projects for a total of $53.9 million in federal economic recovery funds for Syracuse area highways and bridges.    » read more »

May 31, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement on the murder of Dr. George Tiller:

“I was deeply saddened to learn that Dr. George Tiller, a well-known provider of and advocate for women’s health care, was gunned down this morning at his church in Wichita, Kansas. With his murder, we are robbed not only of a dedicated and courageous physician, but also of a husband, father and neighbor. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Dr. Tiller’s family, friends and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.    » read more »