New York

New Bridge Reopens Vital Link Between New York and Vermont; Construction Completed Six Years Ahead of Initial Projection

Albany, NY (November 7, 2011) -- New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin today announced the opening of a new bridge that spans Lake Champlain, connecting New York and Vermont and providing a vital link for the residents, local businesses, and communities of both states. As a result of the unprecedented collaboration between the partners involved in building the new bridge and the leadership of the two governors, construction was completed in just two years rather than the initial eight year projection.

Historic Bill Passed Today Enhances Medicaid Match Rates for States with Comprehensive Medicaid Programs, Like New York

March 25, 2010 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced Thursday that the Senate has given final approval to legislation containing a critical Medicaid boost for New York and ten similar states that already cover a broad range of low-income individuals through the Medicaid program.

Clean Truck Plan Will Improve Air Quality, Benefiting Drivers and Nearby Communities

ELIZABETH, N.J. (March 10, 2010) – The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Environmental Protection Agency today announced they will phase out the oldest, dirtiest diesel trucks servicing port facilities by January 1, 2011 – replacing them with cleaner vehicles that will dramatically improve the air quality in surrounding communities, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

January 28, 2010 -- Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that New York State is receiving $151 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to build new high-speed rail lines across New York.

“This is great news for New York,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Building high-speed rail here will connect more commuters and businesses, create jobs immediately and help rebuild our economy for the long term. We’ve worked hard for a long time to bring high-speed rail to New York. This round of funding is just the first step in our efforts to secure what New York needs to achieve true high-speed rail connectivity. I will keep fighting to make sure New York gets more high speed rail funding in future rounds.”

January 26, 2010 – Washington, DC – After hearing news that the Bronx was one of the communities with the highest hunger rates in the nation, Congressman José E. Serrano today called for an immediate effort to increase access to food and food assistance.

“We feared that this recession could have an effect on our hunger rates in the Bronx, which were already too high, and now we have learned that our fears have become reality. We must take immediate steps to combat this problem, in all ways that we can.

Jan. 21, 2010 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today outlined his initiative to develop an extensive plan that will dramatically reduce greenhouse gas pollution while also building New York's clean energy economy. The multi-faceted effort is driven by Executive Order No. 24, which the Governor issued last August and sets a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in New York State by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Statement From Governor David A. Paterson And Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg

JANUARY 19, 2010 -- This afternoon New York State's Race to the Top application was filed with the federal government.

"Today is a sad day for the children of New York, for the tens of thousands of students on wait lists for charter schools and for the thousands more who need and deserve better educational choices. We are disappointed that we may now miss out on an opportunity to receive unprecedented federal funding for our schools and our children. It is unthinkable that after being advised to make specific changes to enhance our application, the Legislative Leaders could not come to an agreement on legislation that would have significantly increased our competitiveness.

Governor Paterson’s 2010-11 Executive Budget Proposes Significant Spending Reductions, Key Long-Term Reforms To Eliminate $7.4 Billion Budget Gap

JANUARY 19, 2010 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today proposed a 2010-11 Executive Budget that makes significant spending reductions in order to eliminate a $7.4 billion deficit and institutes key reforms to put New York on the road to economic and fiscal recovery.

Reform Package Would Provide SUNY and CUNY the Flexibility Needed to Become Centers of Job Creation

January 15, 2010 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that his 2010-11 Executive Budget will include the most significant reforms to the State’s system of public higher education in a generation.

New York Governor Paterson Directs New York Air National Guard To Assist In Haitian Relief Efforts

Jan. 16, 2010 -- NY Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he is directing the New York Air National Guard to assist in Haitian relief efforts, by providing two C-130 cargo aircraft and crew to national relief efforts.

The two aircraft left Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station at 7 a.m. for Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina where they will load humanitarian cargo and then proceed to Port Au Prince. The crews will then fly to Homestead Air Force Base in Florida, where they will continue their relief mission, flying in and out of Haiti with supplies. The mission is expected to last five days.