July 28, 2015 ___ ___
SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE FROM CUOMO, DOWNSTATE PROJECTS ON THE UPSTATE DIME
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today criticized Gov. Cuomo’s intention to overhaul La Guardia Airport in Queens. The project, announced Monday in New York City by Gov. Cuomo and Vice President Joe Biden, is estimated to cost roughly $4 billion and no details have been released on how New York will finance the major project.
“Infrastructure spending of this magnitude should better serve New York State as a whole, not just downstate and New York City residents,” Hawley said. “My district alone contains fifty-six percent of the Erie Canal system’s lift bridges and any discussion of infrastructure spending should include repair of upstate roads, bridges and highways. Many of my constituents rarely use La Guardia Airport, but they are being asked to help foot the bill so downstate residents can have more convenience when they travel. This is an exclusive and alienating way of governing, further opens the divide between upstate and downstate, and breeds resentment among upstate residents who continue to see their infrastructure crumble. I am calling on Gov. Cuomo to release a financial plan detailing this project and its financial burden on taxpayers.”
July 27, 2015 ___ ___
FAST-FOOD WAGE BOARD DECISION SETS DANGEROUS PRECEDENT FOR NYS POLICY
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today condemned the decision by the Fast-Food Wage Board to raise the minimum wage for all fast-food workers statewide to $15 per hour. Hawley said that non-elected bureaucrats making statewide labor policy is an irresponsible way to govern and sets a dangerous precedent that is wrong for New York State.
“As a small-business owner for over four decades, I am appalled at the governor’s handling of this situation,” Hawley said. “Allowing a group of non-elected officials to determine a major change in labor policy for New York’s fast-food industry sets a dangerous precedent of allowing bureaucrats, hand-picked by the governor, to make legislative decisions without debate or input from the Legislature. A sharp wage increase will undoubtedly lead to higher prices for consumers and the termination of many employees statewide as franchise owners adjust to deal with higher labor costs. The minimum wage was never meant to be a living wage and a more viable solution would be to create more sustainable, career-oriented jobs instead of providing an incentive against working hard to advance.”
July 24, 2015 ___ ___
HAWLEY INTRODUCES BILL TO IMPROVE SAFETY
AT NATIONAL GUARD RECRUITING CENTERS
In response to last week’s shooting at a National Guard recruiting center in Tennessee, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is introducing new legislation that would improve security at these facilities in New York State. The bill will be co-sponsored by state Senator Rob Ortt.
“There is nothing more important than securing public safety – especially the safety of the brave men and women who defend our nation and communities in the National Guard, military and emergency responders. We cannot allow what happened in Tennessee to be repeated here in New York and I am doing everything I can to ensure that those who protect us are safe here at home,” said Hawley, who is the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee and recently hosted the committee’s chairman on a tour of facilities in Western New York.
The new legislation will establish a workgroup to examine and make recommendations on ways safety can be improved at National Guard recruitment centers in our state. The committee will have 13 members, including representatives from the state Division of Military Affairs, Commission on Homeland Security and Emergency Services, State Police, legislative committee chairs, and four members appointed by the governor, and two members appointed by each of the Assembly Speaker and Temporary President of the Senate.
Upon enactment of the legislation, the workgroup would have until December 1, 2016 to submit their first periodic report to the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs, which would be empowered to implement any approved recommendations of the group.
July 21, 2015 ___ ___
HAWLEY CALLS ON CUOMO TO LOWER FLAGS
As Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is calling on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to lower American flags flying over state properties in honor of the five service members killed in the Chattanooga, Tennessee shooting last week.
“While the entire nation mourns the unnecessary death of these brave members of our military, I believe Gov. Cuomo should direct that all flags in New York State are lowered out of respect,” said Hawley. “There are so many military members here in New York State, and so many military families, to me it is the right thing for the governor to do – to show solidarity and respect for the nation during this difficult time.”
According to the state Office of General Services’ website, the state’s official flag policy allows for flags on state property to be flown at half-staff under a variety of conditions, including “special periods of mourning designated by the President of the United States or New York State Governor, and to commemorate the death of a personage of national or state standing, or of a local serviceman, official or public servant who, in opinion of the local agency concerned, contributed to the community.”
Earlier today, President Barack Obama directed that flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the service members killed in the Chattanooga shooting. The service members included a Navy sailor and four Marines. The service members came from states throughout the nation, prompting some governors (including Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida) to increase security at National Guard and military facilities in their states.
“We should do everything possible to keep our military and National Guard safe – especially here in the United States. The shooting at Chattanooga is horrific and alarming for our nation in many ways. The very least the governor can do is order flags to be flown at half-staff, and I would encourage him to ensure that our National Guard and military facilities are secure,” said Hawley.
July 8, 2015 ___ ___
GOV. SETS UNFAIR RESTRICTIONS ON PRIVATE CONTRACTORS, IS NEW YORK REALLY ‘OPEN FOR BUSINESS’?
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today criticized Gov. Cuomo’s moratorium of roadwork done by private contractors during the Independence Day weekend. The governor announced in a press release last week that private contractors working on state roads and highways would have to cease work and remove equipment not behind a permanent barrier starting July 3 at 6 a.m. until July 5 at 10 p.m.
“I certainly understand the need to make last weekend’s travels as convenient as possible for motorists but it is unfair and burdensome to small businesses to ban them from making a profit for three days,” Hawley said. “This added a large cost to local businesses by denying a potential three days of work and mandating that equipment be moved without reimbursement from the state. Gov. Cuomo should not be penalizing the private sector for a bad traffic experience he had during a holiday weekend several years ago. This is another example of how downstate issues are projected throughout the state and inconvenience those in Western New York who are only marginally affected. If we are truly open for business we should keep our actions consistent with our words and stop burdening small businesses trying to survive.”
July 2, 2015 ___ ___
INDEPENDENCE DAY A TIME FOR FUN, FAMILY AND PATRIOTISM
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today wished his constituents a safe and happy Independence Day. Hawley said the Fourth of July is a great time to enjoy outdoor summer fun with family and friends while reflecting on those who courageously fought to free us from British control in the late 18th Century.
“I would like to wish my constituents, as well as New Yorkers across the state, an enjoyable and safe Independence Day,” Hawley said. “This day represents our separation from the British Empire and our birth as a new nation. As you spend time with family and friends, please take time to reflect on our founding fathers and the bravery they exhibited to free us from British control, as well as the veterans who have perished so we could retain our freedom. I encourage my constituents to be safe and celebrate the holiday in a responsible manner. But most of all, enjoy the holiday!”
8TH ANNUAL
PATRIOT TRIP TO HONOR VETERANS
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) poses with veterans and their family members at the World War Two Memorial in Washington D.C. during the 2014 Patriot Trip
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) recently announced his 8th annual Patriot Trip to Washington D.C. will take place September 17 – September 20. Over 100 veterans and family members participated in the 2014 trip, which included stories of valiant service members and valuable time spent together reflecting on the courage and dedication exhibited by our nation’s veterans. Hawley is a longtime supporter of veterans and currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
“I look forward to this trip each year as a way to give back to those who have served our country and remember those who have perished in combat,” Hawley said. “I came up with this idea following a similar trip I took with my father, a World War II veteran. Through experiences of my father and my own service in the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, I have gained a tremendous understanding and respect for the sacrifices endured by our veterans. It is for this reason that I continue the Patriot Trip each year and encourage as many of my constituents who are veterans to sign up as soon as possible.”
Attractions Hawley plans to visit this year on the trip include:
WWII Memorial
Korean War Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Iwo Jima - The Marine Corps Memorial
American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial
Air Force Memorial
911 Memorial at the Pentagon
Arlington National Cemetery including the Changing of the Guard
Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns - Vietnam Veterans
Gettysburg Battlefields
Mt. Vernon
Space is limited and sign ups are first come, first serve with priority given to the oldest veterans and first time attendees. Immediate family members may accompany a veteran. If you or a veteran want more information about this year's Patriot Trip VIII, please call 585-589-5780 or 585-813-1608, Email: [email protected]. To view photos from previous years use the following link: http://vetsdctrip2008.shutterfly.com/.
BIG GAME RIFLE HUNTING
NOW LEGAL IN GENESEE COUNTY
A statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia)
“I am pleased to announce that today Gov. Cuomo signed my bill (A.4367-A) into law to legalize big game rifle hunting in Genesee County. This is a win for sportsmen who treasure hunting as a right of passage they share with their children and for the families who use hunting to help put food on the table in an effort to combat the costs of living in New York State. I want to thank my colleagues who supported this bill in the Assembly and Senate so it could make its way to the governor’s desk.”
