AUGUST 12, 2021
A NEW DAY FOR NEW YORK
A statement from Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) on the resignation of Andrew Cuomo
“Now that the governor has done the right thing and resigned, we can focus on bettering the lives of the working people of this state once again. This is the third high ranking official that has stepped down due to improper conduct during my tenure, and I hope we can come together and work to assure it’s the last and that conduct like that of Andrew Cuomo’s is never left unchecked. I do want to congratulate Kathy Hochul, who will be our next Governor in two weeks, and hope we can work together in bipartisan fashion to do more for the people of this state than ever before.”
HAWLEY CALLS FOR GOV. CUOMO’S REMOVAL FOLLOWING AG REPORT ANNOUNCING CUOMO SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, THREATENED RETALIATION AGAINST MULTIPLE WOMEN
“What we heard today should sicken everyone at a human level, and we cannot allow the governor to continue as our executive knowing our worst fears about his actions are true,” said Hawley. “He must resign now, and if not, we must reject his leadership resoundingly to send a message that conduct of this nature will never be acceptable, by anyone. He has abused his power in the most horrific of ways, and the time has now come for the legislative branch to assert itself and do what is right in this critical moment.”
HAWLEY ANNOUNCES COST FOR ANNUAL PATRIOT TRIP
LOWER THAN EVER IN 2021
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is announcing that this year’s annual Patriot Trip, taking place from September 16-19, will be the most affordable ever. Hawley will join veterans and their guests on his annual trip to Washington D.C., visiting various landmarks and historical sites.
Thanks to the generous contributions of many organizations and individuals, the cost to veterans and their selected guest for this year’s trip will be lower than ever in the trip’s fourteen-year history. The cost to veterans and their guest will be far below the original $475 per person, and includes all food, accommodation and travel expenses required for the trip. Although costs are not yet finalized, Hawley is hoping a cost of $350 or less per person will be attainable.
“Following an outpouring of financial support from the community at large, individuals, businesses and veteran-advocacy groups, I am elated to announce the cost to veterans and their guests for this year’s Patriot Trip will be lower than ever, and I’m hopeful the final cost will be between $300 and $350. With confirmed stops this year at Gettysburg, the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Veterans Memorials around the National Mall, the National Marine Museum, the Arlington National Cemetery with Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and many other landmarks and museums, it’s going to be a trip to remember for all who attend.”
Any interested veterans or their family members are encouraged to reach out to Hawley’s district office at 585-589-5780 or [email protected] to learn more about the trip and to make reservations.
HAWLEY DEMANDS SPECIAL SESSION TO END EVICTION MORATORIUM
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is joining his Assembly Minority colleagues in a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie demanding he call a special session to rescind New York state’s eviction moratorium. The state’s eviction moratorium would persist until August 31st, a month longer than federal protections, which are set to expire on July 31st.
The eviction moratorium has prevented small landlords from collecting revenue for over a year, even while facing financial obligations of their own.
“In terms of both public health and economic well-being, we are making a comeback from the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Hawley. “With vaccinations available to all who want them and an abundance of job openings throughout the state, I see no benefit in allowing the eviction moratorium to remain in effect any longer. While these protections were sensible during the worst days of the pandemic, the time has come to allow landlords to collect their revenue, both for their sake and also the sake of other tenants who otherwise might have their rents raised to compensate for rent not paid by others.”
JULY 12, 2021
Thursday, July 15, 2021
ASSEMBLYMAN STEVE HAWLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN “IMAGINE AN INDEPENDENT GREATER WESTERN NEW YORK”
VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETING
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) will be joining Sen. George Borello (SD-57) and attorney James Ostrowski in discussing different ideas for granting the Greater Western New York region more autonomy in its political affairs. Hawley will defend the merits of making the region its own state, Borello will discuss the benefits of making the area an autonomous zone within the state, and Ostrowski will detail the benefits of following a path of nullification of disagreeable laws by local sheriffs and elected officials.
Those who wish to attend must register using this link: https://stateof.greaterwesternnewyork.com/2021-midsummers-night-town-hall-meeting/
WHO: Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia)
Sen. George Borello (SD-57)
James Ostrowski
WHAT: Virtual Town Hall discussing proposals to secure greater independence for Greater Western New York
WHEN: Thursday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Zoom
Pre-registration required to get zoom link, attendees may register using this link:
https://stateof.greaterwesternnewyork.com/2021-midsummers-night-town- hall-meeting/
JULY 7, 2021
HAWLEY ANNOUNCES BEGINNING OF NOMINATIONS FOR INAUGURAL “WOMEN OF DISTINCTION” RECOGNITION EVENT
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is announcing the start of a new annual award to recognize women of distinction within the local community in a ceremony to be held in the fall.
Constituents can nominate women of great achievement or those who have made an impact in the lives of others within their community using the form linked here (https://forms.gle/FCo6n3LhH79w2oy4A). Those selected to be honored this fall will be notified regarding their nomination and the award ceremony to follow.
“There is no shortage of talented and accomplished women here in the 139th Assembly District, and after our communities were forced to come together like never before in this last year, I felt it appropriate to celebrate the life and achievements of women in our community who have made a real impact in the world, whether in business or here in our community,” said Hawley. “I look forward to honoring individuals truly deserving of thanks and recognition, so I eagerly await nominations!”
HAWLEY ANNOUNCES PATRIOT TRIP XIV TO DC FOR LOCAL VETERANS
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is announcing his annual Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C., taking place from Sept. 16 to 19, where veterans and their family members are hosted on a tour throughout the area to visit several historical sites and landmarks. This year’s tour will feature stops at war memorials throughout the DC area including Arlington National Cemetery. The first day includes a stop at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. Previous tours have included stops at the White House, the Capitol Building, Mt. Vernon, the Annapolis Naval Academy and various museums.
Participation in the trip is open to all military veterans and their family members and will cost $475 per person (includes all food, accommodation, travel, and other expenses). Those interested in participating in this year’s trip are encouraged to reach out to Assemblyman Hawley’s district office at 585-589-5780.
“The Patriot Trip has been an important way of giving back to our veterans for years now, so after having to cancel last year’s trip, I’m elated to be able to resume the trips this year,” said Hawley. “This year will be our 14th trip, so I encourage all interested veterans to reach out to my office and join us on a trip to remember!”
HAWLEY SLAMS GOV’S UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF STATEWIDE GUN VIOLENCE DISASTER EMERGENCY
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today slammed the governor’s declaration of a “statewide disaster emergency” regarding gun violence in the state. Within the governor’s executive order, he unilaterally suspends numerous laws while allocating $138.7 million toward programs he believes will reduce gun violence.
“This emergency declaration is yet another instance of the governor going above our heads in the Legislature to haphazardly expend funds aimed to try and solve the wrong root problem,” said Hawley. “The reason for the rise in crime as of late is no mystery, and until the governor admits bail reform was a failed experiment with deadly consequences, I fear the terrible violence in our communities will persist. Our constitutional freedom to own guns isn’t the problem that’s causing this violence, it’s the dangerous revolving-door the governor has created in our penal system that’s giving dangerous individuals more opportunities than ever to harm the innocent, or victims of their previous crimes.”
Hawley for months has called for the rollback of bail reform laws, which limits a judge’s ability to use their discretion to issue bail to those they know to be dangerous. He argues that this law has created a revolving door for dangerous criminals, who have often been released back into the public after being arrested following the implementation of bail reform. These criminals often reoffend and cause further violence in the communities they’re released into.
HAWLEY DEMANDS PASSAGE OF PAULA’S LAW FOLLOWING RELEASE OF MAN WHO RAPED, MURDERED 16-YEAR-OLD GIRL
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is demanding the immediate passage of a bill known as Paula’s Law, which aims to ensure that persons who sexually assault and then murder a child under the age of 18 will never be released from prison. This push to pass the bill comes in response to the granting of parole to Robert McCain, one of two men who brutally raped and murdered Paula Bohovesky in 1980, a 16-year-old who lived in Pearl River, New York.
Paula is survived by her nearly 90-year old-mother. She expressed her fear that McCain and his accomplice, Richard LaBarbera, who was also granted parole a year ago, will harm other women in the community while living in the free world once again.
Hawley is also calling for the resignation of every member of the New York State Parole Board led by Tina M. Stanford under Gov. Cuomo’s administration, following their decision to grant McCain his release. His release is just one of many instances of releasing offenders known to be highly violent into the public by the parole board.
“The strong-armed rape and murder of an innocent 16-year-old girl is something that can never be forgiven, and we’d be naive to think somebody that did something so inhuman in their past is incapable of doing it again,” said Hawley. “With everybody looking to reduce violence in our state and bolster public safety, passing Paula’s Law and ensuring those who molest and murder children are kept behind bars for life should be something we can all agree on. We must also seek the immediate replacement of our state’s parole board, who have time and time again put concerns for the well-being of criminals above those of public safety.”
JUNE 23, 2021
STATEMENT FROM ASSEMBLYMAN HAWLEY ON THE END OF COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY
“While this should’ve happened months ago when my colleagues and I in the Assembly Minority called on those in the Majority to restore checks and balances to state government, I am happy that a return to constitutional state government is imminent. The needless restrictions the governor mandated within our businesses, schools, places of worship and communities caused a great deal of struggle and suffering, so it is heartening to know the days of living at the mercy of the governor’s whims are coming to an end.”
2021 LEGISLATIVE RECAP: SENSELESS SPENDING AND AN ABSENCE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
This last year, industry and society at large have shifted drastically as the challenges we’ve faced have forced us to be more innovative and resilient than ever before. However, even as private businesses and families alike found new ways to thrive while braving a pandemic, it was another year of business as usual for the Governor and his allies in the legislative Majority. They worked to raise taxes, chip away further at our constitutional rights and construct the most expensive budget in our state’s history, a monstrous proposal that spends more than Texas and Florida do within a year COMBINED, while doing little for those who need help most.
Giving recovering small businesses less than half of what’s being given to undocumented immigrants in direct assistance is unconscionable, and there’s nothing progressive about letting small, family-owned businesses die for the sake of helping people who broke our laws to be here. These small businesses are built up over decades through generations, and are places where people find their first jobs or even their lifelong careers. They are what make the towns, villages and cities where we live the unique and special places we know them to be, and it has been incredibly saddening to see so many of them continue to struggle when there’s so much more we could have done to support them, their employees and the communities they serve.
What has been even worse than the Majority’s failure to provide adequate assistance to our small business owners, has been their unwillingness to stand up to the governor’s active attempts to encumber their success. Even as he remained embroiled in scandal and under investigation at multiple levels of government, they refused to meaningfully curtail his emergency authority or rescind any of the restrictions he placed on small businesses, even as available scientific data demonstrated that they were unnecessary. Despite all of the questions surrounding his conduct, and especially his handling of nursing homes during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the governor held a grip on power as firm as ever as we left Albany after session. Even as the Assembly itself has conducted an investigation throughout the last several months into his multiple potential wrongdoings, we still have nothing to show for it.
While this year was largely disappointing, legislatively speaking, there was at least one bright spot within it that I feel we should all be proud of. After fighting to make it happen for years and having my proposals to do so shot down in committee, I was proud to see a bill passed (A.7865) that will provide free tuition to members of Gold Star families. While I wish we were able to pass this bill even earlier to begin helping Gold Star families as soon as possible, President Reagan said it best, “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.” So I am simply relieved to see this idea become law one way or another. It is indeed heartening that on at least one issue we were able to come together and do the right thing, so I am hopeful that next year we can build upon that success bearing in mind who we really need to be helping here in New York state.
SESSION 2021: IN NEED OF MORE PRAGMATISM, LESS PROGRESSIVISM
"This legislative session we passed the most bloated budget in our history, eviscerated Second Amendment rights, raised taxes and failed to gain any new information about the highly questionable actions of our governor. The Majority gave over double what they did to small businesses to illegal immigrants, and stood silent as those small businesses were forced to close their doors because of the governor’s nonsensical restrictions, which they did not work to rescind. A focus on passing progressive, activist legislation has left the kitchen-table concerns of working families unaddressed, while pleasing only a small vocal minority of radicals that drown out the voices of everyday people. I only hope soon the Majority will realize the consequences of ignoring those voices."
HAWLEY LAUDS PASSAGE OF BILL GRANTING FREE COLLEGE TUITION TO MEMBERS OF GOLD STAR FAMILIES
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is hailing the passage of a bill (A7685) through both houses of the Legislature that would give members of gold star families free college tuition. The passage of this bill comes two years after Hawley himself proposed a bill to provide gold star families with free tuition, though that bill was blocked in the Higher Education Committee by the Assembly Majority and never brought to the floor for a vote.
“Today is a great day for our military families throughout the state to be shown some appreciation for their service and sacrifice,” said Hawley. “If somebody gives their life for our nation and our constitution, the least we can do is help get their loved ones through school. While I wish we were able to get this bill voted on and passed two years ago to help even more gold star families, I am glad to see this bill become law to help those who lost people they loved while defending the country we love.”
HAWLEY DECRIES PASSAGE OF SEVERAL ANTI-GUN BILLS
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is outraged following the passage of a series of bills that would restrict the Second Amendment rights of New Yorkers, all of which he voted against. They would drive gun sellers and manufacturers out of the state through burdensome regulation. One of the bills passed would make firearms manufacturers and dealers liable for harm caused by their weapon even if that harm is not reasonably foreseeable, if deemed a“public nuisance” (A.6762B).
“These bills won’t make anyone safer, and are nothing but shallow attempts to regulate sellers of firearms out of the state and make it impossible to sell handguns here in New York,” said Hawley. “These measures are unconscionable violations of the constitutional rights of New Yorkers, and are just another step toward making it impractical, if not illegal, to buy and sell firearms in New York state.”
HAWLEY ANNOUNCES PASSAGE OF BILL DEDICATING SP4 C. JAY HALL MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is announcing the passage of Assembly Bill A.6021, which designates State Route 77 between Pembroke Town Park and the intersection of Indian Falls Road in the town of Pembroke as the “SP4 C. Jay Hall Memorial Highway.”
Specialist Four Clarence "C. Jay" Hall served as a rifleman in the United States Army in Binh Duong, Vietnam. On Oct. 7, 1969, Specialist Hall exposed himself to hostile fire so his comrades were able to obtain cover with a complete disregard for his personal safety. During this action, he was mortally wounded. Specialist Hall earned the NYS Conspicuous Service Cross, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with One Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Silver Star, which is the nation's third highest award for valor.
“The actions of Specialist Four Clarence ‘C. Jay’ Hall should be remembered and honored for all of time, so I am proud to have passed this law forever enshrining his legacy within our Western New York community,” said Hawley. “The selfless service of our nation’s heroes must never be forgotten.”
HAWLEY AND MINORITY REPUBLICANS DEMAND TERMINATION OF STATE EMERGENCY DISASTER DECLARATION
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is being joined by his colleagues in the Assembly and Senate Minority Conferences in demanding the termination of the state disaster emergency declared by Executive Order 202 before the end of the 2020-2021 legislative session, which is scheduled to finish this Thursday.
As of June 2, New York state’s seven-day average positivity rate was the lowest in the nation at 0.64 percent, and hospitalizations dropped to under 1,000 for the first time since October 2020. Within Hawley’s district numbers are similarly low, with a seven-day positivity rate of 1 percent in the Finger Lakes region.
“In the wake of the decision by our state Department of Health and the CDC to largely let life get back to normal, we should follow the data and restore state government back to normal with all of the checks guaranteed by our constitution,” said Hawley. “Declarations of emergency should be decisions based on public health, not political expediency, and if the governor and the Majority also believe this, they should immediately terminate this state of emergency. If this legislative session ends with this declaration still in place, it will only be to secure the governor’s power, not for anybody’s well-being.”
HAWLEY AND MINORITY REPUBLICANS PUSH “RESTORE ORDER” CRIME BILL PACKAGE TO ADDRESS STATEWIDE SURGE IN VIOLENCE
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is joining his colleagues in the Assembly Minority in calling for the passage of a legislative package known as the “Restore Order” initiative, which would restore elements of judicial discretion eliminated by the “bail reform” law passed in 2019 by the Assembly Majority (A.5265). The package would also increase the penalties for particularly hateful and violent crimes, such as shooting into a crowd (A.4259), among other measures.
These bills were drafted in response to a widespread spike in violent crime that has persisted for months throughout the state, which Hawley and others attribute to limitations placed on the ability of local judges to exercise their judicial discretion by previously passed “bail reform” laws.
“We elect our judges for a reason, and it’s because they know us and they know the communities we live in,” said Hawley. “Bail reform has restricted judges from making decisions they know are most sensible for both the defendants before them and the collective well-being of the people and families that live in the surrounding area. The consequences of this law have been fatal for far too many New Yorkers who have senselessly lost their lives to increased acts of violence in our towns and cities. The bloodshed in our streets has gone on far too long, and it’s time we recognize bail reform as the dangerous failed experiment it really is.”
HAWLEY SLAMS STATE DIRECTIVE SPLITTING MEMORIAL DAY FLAG HONORS BETWEEN VETS AND ESSENTIAL WORKERS
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia), a member of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, is sounding off about a directive from Governor Cuomo through the Office of Government Services that would split half-staff flag dedications on Memorial Day weekend between essential workers who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic and fallen veterans, as flags would be lowered to half-staff Sunday for essential workers, and Monday for veterans.
A veteran himself, Hawley feels that while those who passed during the COVID-19 should be honored and remembered, it is incredibly disrespectful to service members who have passed and their families to diminish their remembrance in this way.
“Honoring one group of people should never come at the cost of diminishing the honor of another, especially when we’re talking about people that fought and died so that we can live free and peaceful lives,” said Hawley. “This directive, by the governor, was issued in incredibly poor taste, and is an insult to all of the New Yorkers who made the ultimate sacrifice for the liberty of our countrymen and people throughout the globe. To say this slighting of our nation’s fallen heroes is a disgrace would be an understatement, and I implore the governor to see that this directive is reversed immediately.”
HAWLEY CALLS FOR ROLLBACK OF GUIDANCE MANDATING MASK-WEARING FOR CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 2 IN DAYCARES, SUMMER CAMPS IN LETTER TO GOV. CUOMO AND COMMISSIONER ZUCKER
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) has written a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker slamming new guidelines published by the administration’s Department of Health that mandates the wearing of masks, for periods of up to several hours, for children as young as two years old in childcare and summer camp facilities. Some local health officials have stated that childcare centers or summer camps that are found to be in violation of this guidance could pay up to $1,500 per day per child in fines.
“To think that these guidelines are needed this year following our historic vaccination effort, when they weren’t needed last year before anybody had immunity, is just absurd. Almost as absurd as the idea a 2-year old will calmly keep a mask on their face for hours at a time,” said Hawley. “This mandate is not needed to protect public health, and only serves to jeopardize the operations of summer camps and childcare centers alike. I hope to see it swiftly rescinded.”
MAY 20, 2021
HAWLEY JOINS ASSEMBLY MINORITY IN CALLING FOR BAN ON BOOK INCOME FOR LAWMAKERS FOLLOWING CUOMO’S $5.1M BOOK DEAL
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is joining his colleagues in the Assembly Minority calling for the passage of a bill (A.7107) that would prohibit statewide elected officials from profiting on published works while serving in their position. This legislative push follows news that Gov. Cuomo will be earning over $5 million on a book deal for a memoir he wrote during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when over 15,000 seniors passed away in nursing homes under his administration’s watch.
“To think that the governor and his staff would be concerned with writing a self-promotional memoir while working at the same time to hide information about the tragedy happening in our nursing homes is incredibly disconcerting,” said Hawley. “It’s also an example of why we need laws like this to ensure our public officials are putting their service to the public before their own personal gain.”
HAWLEY CALLS ON CUOMO TO FOLLOW CDC GUIDELINES
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is putting pressure on Gov. Cuomo to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) example and lift all mask mandates for those who have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations. A proponent against the one-size-fits-all solution to New York’s fight against the pandemic, Hawley sees no reason why the entire state should continue to follow the draconian enforcement of capacity restrictions and mask wearing if the federal government is ready to move on.
“Western New York is ready to move on from the pandemic, and we’re grateful for the recognition of personal responsibility the CDC is returning to the people,” Hawley said. “It’s been a long time coming, as the governor’s continued restrictions are seemingly less and less about science and safety and more about continued state control over every aspect of our lives. The people of New York are reliable, smart and trustworthy, and the governor must absolutely follow the example of the CDC.”
Hawley said he staunchly believes in leaving the responsibility and decision making to the localities. “I’ve said from the start that part of the mismanagement of the fight against COVID is the fact that the state oversaw it all without partnering with local governments. These local institutions know the needs and capabilities of their areas better than the state, and they’ll be able to legislate accordingly moving forward.”
MAY 4, 2021
HAWLEY ANNOUNCES ACTIVATION OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT ROUTE 77 AND LEDGE ROAD INTERSECTION IN THE TOWN OF ALABAMA
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is announcing that traffic lights have been installed and activated at the Route 77 and Ledge Road intersection in the town of Alabama.
The state Department of Transportation (DOT) had previously planned on construction of a roundabout at this intersection, but canceled those plans after the town passed a resolution opposing the project for reasons related to cost and safety. The DOT had previously planned to build a roundabout for $1.8 million, but the installation of the traffic lights proved to be a more prudent and sensible solution, costing only approximately $100,000. Hawley joined locals in opposing this project in favor of installing traffic lights to address safety concerns, which were just turned on this last Thursday.
“I am glad to see this project come to fruition and hope it will ensure safe travel for the agricultural, emergency and commercial traffic that make use of the intersection every day,” said Hawley. “With that said, I still caution all residents to take the dangers surrounding this intersection seriously and heed all traffic signals and devices.”
HAWLEY STANDS WITH ASSEMBLY MINORITY IN OPPOSING EXTENSION OF EVICTION MORATORIUM
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) is joining his colleagues in the Assembly Minority in standing against the extension of a legislative moratorium on evictions. The Assembly Majority has introduced a bill (A.7175) to extend the moratorium through Aug. 31. 2021. Hawley has opposed extending the moratorium in the past, as it has greatly burdened small landlords throughout the pandemic that have been unable to collect rent to pay the mortgages on their properties.
“The landlords impacted the most by this moratorium are people who have worked their entire lives to buy property to generate an income to take care of their families, and we’ve left them helpless for over a year now,” said Hawley. “Addressing the burden placed on our housing system by COVID-19 means helping both tenants and landlords, and this moratorium deprives them of their rightful legal and financial recourse.”
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