August 16, 2016 __ _
OVER $2 MILLION IN DRINKING WATER FUNDING AWARDED TO VILLAGE OF ELBA
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced that the Village of Elba has been awarded over $2 million to fund a drinking water improvement project that will help bolster the area’s clean water supply, fix and replace old pipes, sewer lines, treatment plants and assist with design and construction costs. The grants are being distributed to various municipalities throughout the state as part of New York’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.
“Ensuring a clean and bountiful water supply for our citizens is one of the fundamental responsibilities of our state and local governments,” Hawley said. “Unfortunately, many pipes, sewer lines and treatment facilities were installed decades ago and were not made with the same durable materials we use today. As a result, New York’s infrastructure is failing, which places an extraordinary financial burden on local governments that are already handcuffed due to state mandates. I am pleased to see that the state has stepped up and is providing over two-thirds of the estimated cost of this project, which is vital for the health and well-being of our residents.”
July 19, 2016 __ _
HAWLEY CALLS FOR ‘OUR BLUE’ DAY ON FRIDAY IN SUPPORT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
FOLLOWING SERIES OF ATTACKS
Following a string of deadly shootings against law enforcement in Dallas and Baton Rouge in recent weeks, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has reiterated his full support of law enforcement and is encouraging New Yorkers to wear blue on Friday in a massive wave of support for police officers. Hawley emphasized the need for unity in these frightening times and inspired constituents to stand behind those who put their lives on the line to protect us each day.
“The recent attacks against police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge have been nothing short of tragic and a painful reflection of the evil that still exists in society,” Hawley said. “In these tumultuous times, the best solution is to come together and show our support for the men and women who put on their uniform every day not knowing what dangers they will inevitably face. They are the frontline protectors of justice and order in our community and deserve nothing short of our utmost gratitude and respect.
“Please join me in recognizing the heroism of our police officers and participate in ‘Our Blue Day’ on Friday by wearing blue in support of our friends fighting crime. They need our encouragement and backing now more than ever.”
July 14, 2016 __ _
HAWLEY ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF 2016 LEGISLATIVE SURVEY
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today released the results of his legislative survey mailer that was distributed to households during the winter. The survey covered topics across a plethora of platforms and state issues, including: ethics reform, infrastructure, jobs, education, paid-family leave and taxes.
“I am proud to announce the results of my 2016 Legislative Survey and I plan to use the feedback I received to formulate policy proposals and my legislative platform if I am re-elected to the Assembly next term,” Hawley said. “It is one of the highest honors of my life to represent my constituents and address their questions and concerns. The overall results of my survey indicate that my constituents believe the state is not headed in the right direction and we are falling short on a number of issues. I will continue to fight to see that we do right by the people of our state and stop catering to downstate special interests and New York City politicians.”
June 18, 2016 __ _
BOTH HOUSES PASS ‘CHARITABLE GAMING ACT’, HAWLEY URGES GROUPS TO WRITE GOV. IN SHOW OF SUPPORT
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) applauds his Senate colleagues for passing much needed raffle bill, awaits Gov.’s signature into law
“I am elated to announce that the Senate has passed the ‘Charitable Gaming Act of 2016’ (A.10249A/S7640A) this afternoon and the bill is set to hit Gov. Cuomo’s desk in the near future for the executive’s approval before it becomes law. I would like to commend Sen. Gallivan (R-Elma) and Sen. Ranzenhofer (R-Amherst) for their leadership in the Senate to guide this bill through the legislative process and get it passed as well as Sen. Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) for his persistence on this issue.
“What we need now is for all non-profit organizations; church groups, Rotary clubs, Fire Departments, Kiwanis clubs and any other service clubs statewide that raise money through raffles to write the governor urging him to sign this bill into law.”
Governor Cuomo’s Mailing Address
Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224
LEGISLATURE FIGHTS HEROIN EPIDEMIC, CORRUPT LAWMAKERS, BUT FEW BONES FOR UPSTATE NY
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) issues comments on the closing of the 2016 Legislative Session
“The legislature’s bipartisan compromise on an exhaustive package to combat our state’s heroin crisis is promising and will provide more access to recovery services and ease insurance requirements so those who truly need help will be included. Pension forfeiture for corrupt lawmakers is a great first step toward cleaning up Albany’s pool of corruption, but more is needed. I will continue fighting for term limits for legislative leaders and increased transparency to root out public officials from abusing the power entrusted in their office.
“While we had some major victories statewide, upstate was once again left high and dry for the most part. We saw no small business relief to counteract the detrimental minimum wage hike passed in April and little infrastructure funding to repair our roads, bridges and highways that are ravaged annually by harsh winters. Creating jobs and improving our business climate will remain a top priority of mine and I will continue to oppose political gimmicks and irresponsible investments made with tax-dollars instead of common sense tax and regulatory cuts for local businesses.”
June 17, 2016 __ _
HUGE VICTORY FOR STAFFORD FIRE DEPT, CHURCHES, SERVICE CLUBS AS ‘CHARITABLE GAMING ACT’ PASSES ASSEMBLY, AWAITS SENATE APPROVAL
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) applauds passage of bill to update gaming, charity requirements, help Stafford Fire Dept. reinstate car raffle
“I am pleased to announce that the ‘Charitable Gaming Act of 2016’ has overwhelmingly passed the Assembly Thursday afternoon. I would like to commend Assemblyman J. Gary Pretlow (D-Mount Vernon) and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger (D-Kenmore) for championing this bill through the house as well as Sen. Patrick Gallivan (R-Elma), the bill’s author in the Senate, Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer (R-Amherst) and Sen. Robert Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) for pushing this measure in the Senate. I am proud to have helped lead this initiative to update our archaic and detrimental gaming laws that have hurt charitable organizations, churches, non-profit organizations and service clubs all across the state, including the Stafford Fire Department.
“This is a great example of how bipartisan politics can work in Albany’s sea of gridlock and can have lasting positive effects for the people and organizations of our state. The bill is now in the Senate, where I am told by Sen. Gallivan that he is very hopeful it will pass before we adjourn for the year today.”
June 16, 2016 __ _
HAWLEY GREETS LONGTIME FRIEND, BILLS GREAT & PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME QB, JIM KELLY IN ALBANY
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) greets former Bills Quarterback Jim Kelly in the Assembly Chamber Tuesday
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) met with National Football League (NFL) Hall of Fame Quarterback and longtime friend Jim Kelly in the Assembly Chamber Tuesday. Kelly and former quarterback Vinny Testaverde, a Floral Park native and member of eight NFL teams during his career, were in Albany to discuss legalizing daily fantasy sports, a topic rumored to be an end of session priority of both houses. Kelly is most famous for leading the Buffalo Bills to a record four straight Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s.
“I was pleased to spend some time with my old friend Jim Kelly in Albany Tuesday,” Hawley said. “Having known Jim for over 25 years I can personally attest to his high level of character, integrity and tremendous advocacy for the great game of football. I am proud to be an ardent supporter of Jim’s charity, the Hunter’s Hope Foundation, which advocates for research to better understand and find a cure for Krabbe Disease and related Leukodystrophies.”
June 9, 2016 __ _
HAWLEY ANNOUNCES NEARLY $500,000 FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT GENESEE COUNTY AIRPORT
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced that Genesee County Airport will receive $498,750 for construction of a new storage hanger as part of the Aviation Capital Grant Program. $10 million was awarded to 20 applicants across the state through a competitive application process.
“I am pleased to announce that Genesee County Airport will receive nearly $500,000 for upgrades to its infrastructure,” Hawley said. “The airport is an economic and commercial hub for Western New York and very important to the residents of Genesee County. I will support any measure that increases airport safety and allows patrons more efficient and comfortable travel. We still have many upstate infrastructure projects that deserve attention and I will be fighting to make sure we receive our fair share.”
Additional grants will be distributed through the Upstate Airport Economic Development and Revitalization competition after the application and selection process has been completed.
June 8, 2016 __ _
HAWLEY HONORS WOMEN VETS IN ALBANY
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) greets a veteran in the Assembly Chamber Wednesday
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today met with service women and female veterans in Albany for the Assembly’s annual Women Veterans’ Recognition Day. Hawley is Ranking Member of the Assembly’s Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and served in the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves.
“I was honored to meet and congratulate these female veterans today in Albany,” Hawley said. “Dating back to the Revolutionary War, women have played a pivotal role in our nation’s military, often serving in combat situations and putting themselves in harm’s way to help us achieve victory. Even on the home front, as in World War II, women were paramount in bolstering the workforce and filling positions left by men who were serving in the military abroad. The role of women in our nation’s military is worthy of many accolades and their service will never be forgotten.”
HAWLEY, ORTT, ROBACH WRITE DOT COMMISH REQUESTING INCREASED UPSTATE PARITY, SPECIFICITY ON CAPITAL PLAN SPENDING
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia), Sen. Joe Robach (R-Greece) and Sen. Robert Ortt (R-North Tonawanda) recently wrote to New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Matthew Driscoll asking for a return to transportation funding parity between their region and other areas of the state. The legislators also called on Driscoll to adopt a capital plan that more accurately represents the infrastructure needs of Western New York and more specificity about the amount of funding being allocated to the region.
“We strongly urge the DOT to adopt a plan that represents the transportation inventory of the region,” the legislators wrote. “The Lake Ontario State Parkway (LOSP), canal bridges and others are in critical need of work. I strongly urge you to work with local representatives to ensure the prior work schedule is completed as soon as possible. Advancing current projects and ensuring fair, reliable future funding is critical to the economy and public safety of the region.”
June 6, 2016 __ _
DOWNSTATE LIBERALS VOTE TO GIVE OUR TAX DOLLARS TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) criticizes Assembly leadership for voting to give taxpayer-funded tuition to illegal aliens
“Once again, New York City liberals have passed the DREAM Act, which allows illegal aliens access to taxpayer-funded tuition assistance programs on par with legal citizens. At a time when middle-class families are struggling to send their children to college, Assembly leadership prioritizes giving freebies to illegal aliens instead of passing initiatives that help hard-working legal citizens.
“This is yet another in the long line of disgraceful and unconscionable acts that are completely out of line with New Yorkers’ values. Upstate infrastructure is crumbling, the heroin epidemic is ripping apart our families, businesses are leaving the state in droves, and Assembly leadership would rather approve freebies for people who aren’t supposed to be here in the first place.”
HAWLEY, ASSEMBLY GOP CALL FOR TRANSPARENCY IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPENDING, DENOUNCE GOV.’S FAILED POLICIES
**Click Here for an .mp4 video of Hawley speaking on the state’s economic development programs
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) joined Republican colleagues at a press conference in Albany Monday calling for more transparency in economic development spending
On the heels of a press conference held in Albany today by Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua), Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has called for an end to unspecified spending of tax dollars and the autonomous control of taxpayer funds that continue to support botched economic development programs. New York was once again ranked near dead last in economic outlook this year, according to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
“The main issue with our economic development spending is that it’s riddled with pay-to-play, unilaterally controlled by the governor, and is essentially devoid of transparency in many respects,” Hawley said. “We were promised a job report on START-UP NY on April 1, 2016 and have yet to see one, despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars of our citizens’ money on advertising and tax breaks. On another note, the longer the Buffalo Billion project goes on, the more problems come to light and the more intricate the web of inefficiency and shady political and businesses deals becomes. Taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going and that’s why this legislation is important.”
Hawley and his colleagues today introduced legislation that would mandate full transparency in spending allocations, penalties for failing to meet reporting deadlines (such as the case with START-Up NY), and auditing of all state economic development programs, among other provisions.
June 2, 2016 __ _
HAWLEY SPONSORS NEW RAFFLE LEGISLATION, INTRODUCES NEW BILL TO HELP STAFFORD FIRE DEPT.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced he has signed on as a cosponsor of new legislation, coined the Charitable Gaming Act of 2016, which would allow charitable organizations and raffle holders to accept credit and legal tender for raffles as well as advertise and sell tickets online. Hawley has also introduced his own legislation, A.10516, to remedy New York’s archaic and detrimental gaming laws.
“I am eager to see this bill come to the floor for a vote,” Hawley said. “It is scheduled to pass through committee today, and being authored by a Majority member gives it that much more potential to move through the legislative process. As I’ve said before, this is an issue that affects communities and benevolent organizations all across the state. Our statutes need to catch up with technology before more damage is done, and that is exactly what this legislation aims to do.”
June 1, 2016 __ _
HAWLEY CALLS FOR ‘LEGISLATIVE INTERVENTION’ TO FIGHT HEROIN AND OPIOID ADDICTION CRISIS
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) [at podium] joined legislators and members of the public at a press conference in Albany Wednesday calling for legislative solutions to the heroin crisis.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) joined legislators and public activists at a press conference in Albany held by Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) calling for legislation to address the state’s growing heroin and opioid addiction problem. The Senate recently passed a package of 41 bills and recommendations to combat the issue.
“Our children are dying due to this deadly epidemic and the Assembly hasn’t passed a single bill this year to address it,” Hawley said. “Our conference held a series of statewide forums to gather input from people affected by addiction only to have our comprehensive solutions sit dormant in the Assembly. How many more families need to be torn apart before Assembly leadership steps up and brings solutions to the table? Addiction is a disease that knows no bounds, but we can defeat it by empowering recovery at the local level and providing resources to those on the frontlines. My hope is that legislative solutions will come to fruition before session adjourns for the summer in two weeks.”
VETS FINALLY GET TRIBUTE THEY DESERVE
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) issues statement praising the Gov.’s signing of Veterans Buy-Back legislation
“I would like to thank Gov. Cuomo and my fellow legislators for finally stepping up and making the veteran buy-back credit a reality. This is a great example of bi-partisanship. Our vets have waited far too long to receive the recognition they deserve, and the opportunity to purchase back their service time from the state is a small show of gratitude for those who have sacrificed more than we can imagine. As a veteran, son of a veteran and Ranking Member on the Assembly’s Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I can attest to the hardships and commitment of our servicemen and women and will continue to fight for more programs and services to help those who have fought for our liberty and freedom.”
