HAWLEY OPPOSES STATE MEDICAID COLLECTION
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is joining the New York State Association of Counties in the call for New York State government to reconsider its proposed plan to intercept $625 million in enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage Money. Counties, statewide, oversee Medicaid programs and operate on different fiscal calendars compared to the state government. Hawley, as always, prefers more local control as to state oversight, and sees this proposal as more of the latter.
“The management of Medicaid is a difficult job, and the last thing counties statewide need is another layer of red tape from the state government as they try to ensure their beneficiaries are covered properly,” Hawley said. “Not only are costs likely to rise with these new levels of government intersections, but the costs to counties’ Medicaid expenditures could be dire. I wholly oppose this proposal and will be doing what I can in Albany to see this move reconsidered.”
HAWLEY CALLS FOR END TO BAIL REFORM ONCE AGAIN
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is once again calling for New York to bring about an end to its long-running and harmful bail reform policy, following a story that confirms two thieves stole a car within 30 minutes of being released from jail. Hawley, like many New Yorkers concerned for public safety, is tired of this failed bail system.
“The revolving door of crime that has been established by bail reform continues to hinder and harm law-abiding citizens while giving career criminals a free pass,” Hawley said. “It’s high time for the Majority in the Assembly to help bring an end to this era of crime New York is continually besieged by. To continue to ignore it makes them part of the problem.”
HAWLEY CALLS FOR RECONSIDERATION OF NATURAL GAS STOVE BAN IN NEW YORK
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is joining many New Yorkers calling on the governor to reconsider her position on banning gas stoves from future new housing and construction developments in New York. What has been touted as a means to combat climate change and entice people to come to the state is now being seen as a measure to control businesses on a more granular level in New York, and Hawley doesn’t like the concept.
“Albany progressives claim the measure is a simple implementation of new policy, but I don’t see it that way,” Hawley said. “For one, the measure neglects the fact that people upstate rely on natural gas to a greater degree than downstate homeowners, who may, in fact, benefit more from electric devices. But of course, when implementing statewide policy, we’re used to the fact that downstate progressives in charge of our government favor the one-size-fits-all approach.”
“But more than that, it’s another example of Albany focusing on an issue that seems like a big deal but will do very little in the long run. The average person cutting out natural gas in their daily life will not change the climate dramatically, so why punish the average person or business with more restrictions on how they can live their lives or operate? Why not focus the unilateral power the Assembly majority holds on bigger issues like inflation? They shouldn’t be allowed to pat themselves on the back, because they are once again infringing on the choices of New Yorkers,” Hawley concluded.
HAWLEY SLAMS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR’S ADOPTION OF NEW FARM WORKER OVERTIME RULES
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is deeply disappointed by Department of Labor (DOL) Commissioner Roberta Reardon’s decision to move forward with the previously-proposed reduction in the farm worker overtime threshold. The measure, which has been hotly debated for a number of years, was finally approved by the DOL this Wednesday. Hawley is concerned about what this will mean for the future of New York farmers.
“For the past three years, my colleagues and I have advocated for the family farmers of New York who have told us time and again that any changes to the overtime threshold would severely impact their economic security. I’m deeply disappointed that the DOL and Commissioner Reardon have ignored those pleas,” Hawley said.
“Agriculture is the largest industry in New York, and its workers are the best in the nation. But for these smaller farms trying to get by, the costs just skyrocketed, and the burden of this mandate will unfortunately cause many farmers to fall by the wayside. With this reality in mind, I can’t help but wonder who the DOL thinks it is helping,” Hawley concluded.
HAWLEY BLASTS ASSEMBLY MAJORITY RESOLUTION THAT WILL STIFLE DEMOCRACY
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) is calling out the Assembly Majority for passing a Resolution that will enact COVID-era empty-seat voting and discourage members from debating bills. The Resolution will allow the Majority a strict party-line vote on legislation, whether they are in the chamber or not. This comes after the Albany Majority recently voted themselves a 29% pay raise, making themselves the highest-paid state legislators in the country.
“First, the Albany Majority vote themselves a massive pay raise and now they have voted to make showing up for work optional. It is shameful and a slap in the face to New Yorkers throughout our state who are struggling financially and are trying to make an honest living. By allowing legislators to be absent from the chamber and skip floor debates, the Majority has effectively silenced the voices of the over six million people we represent in the Minority Conference,” said Hawley.
Hawley Reacts to Gov. Hochul’s Budget Plan
A Statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia).
“For too long, New York taxpayers have been on the hook for bloated and wasteful state budgets. Gov. Hochul has proposed a whopping $7 billion increase from $220 billion to $227 billion. The Operating Budget increases the Medicaid portion by 9.3%, continuing the most bloated program of any state in the nation. This will increase the burden on local taxpayers diminishing the Medicaid freeze. It is heartening to see education & mental health programs will see increased state assistance. Educating the minds of our future generations is extremely important. With more bipartisan collaboration we could focus on the needs of the taxpayers while cutting down on spending.”
Hawley Invites Veteran Organizations to Apply for Capital Program Funding
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) invites non-profits to apply for a share of $5 million in grants that are available to organizations that serve veterans and their family members in order to make capital improvements. This program is meant to improve and expand the services available to the state’s veterans and their families by upgrading facilities or building new ones. Funding for projects will range between $25,000 and $75,000. Funding will go toward design, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or expansion of eligible veterans’ facilities.
The Division of Veterans' Services will host a webinar for program applicants on Thursday, January 12, 2023, to outline the program and application process. Click here to view the webinar.
“Taking care of our veterans, who have protected our country with such courage, should always be a top priority to our state and our nation,” Hawley said. “I want all former military members to understand the services that are available to them. The Capital Program will allow non-profits to better address veterans’ issues throughout the state by having state-of-the-art facilities and resources. We must take care of these veterans because they have always been there to protect us.”
Click here for more information on the Capital Program or to apply.
