Assemblywoman Russell announces more than $200,000 in grants for North Country libraries

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that the New York State Library has awarded construction grants to public libraries in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. The funding, which was supported by Assemblywoman Russell in the 2012 state budget, will go toward renovation and construction projects to enhance local library facilities.

“Libraries are a vital part of our community by providing our families with educational and recreational services that they may not otherwise have access to,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This funding will allow patrons to continue using critical resources such as the Internet, job-training programs and tax filing services. Upgrades and enhancements to facilities will ensure that North Country families are getting the most out of their library experience.”

            The following local libraries will receive grants for various construction and renovation projects to improve their facilities:

 Jefferson County

·        Cape Vincent Community Library

·        Hawn Memorial Library

·        Lyme Free Library

St. Lawrence County

·        Canton Free Library

·        Ogdensburg Public Library

·        Potsdam Public Library

“The library construction grants help municipalities and libraries make their buildings more accessible and useful for their many patrons,” Steve Bolton, Director of the North Country Library System, said. “It’s always very difficult for libraries to save enough money for construction costs, so these grants are vital, especially for the older historic buildings. I want to thank Assemblywoman Addie Russell for her advocacy and support in helping to fund our North Country libraries.”

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Assemblywoman Russell announces START-UP NY will foster job creation in the North Country

“The START-UP NY initiative demonstrates the state’s ongoing commitment to attracting businesses and spurring job growth in Upstate New York. By providing incentives and reducing burdensome regulations for eligible businesses around local campuses, we are giving companies every reason to create good-paying jobs right here. This legislation will also provide protections for currently established businesses, ensuring that we support those that have already been contributing to our economy.

“Our SUNY schools and private universities are valuable assets that attract talent to the area. By creating jobs and opportunities for our young people, this program will encourage them to stay local and continue to strengthen the North Country’s economy.”

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Assemblywoman Russell passes vital equal rights legislation

Women’s Equality Act is a victory for all women

In an effort to combat the discrimination and societal bias that exists against the women of New York State, Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced the Women’s Equality Act has passed the Assembly (A.8070). This 10-point agenda, which she sponsored, includes comprehensive reforms that would reinforce women’s health and reproductive rights, increase protections for victims of domestic violence, address pay inequity and end gender based discrimination.

“This historic piece of legislation provides a unique opportunity for us as legislators to make New York a better place for women; each measure is important to promoting fair and just treatment for all New Yorkers, and no parts should be excluded,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “By making each of these issues a priority, it displays the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring equal rights for women – it is time the Senate makes that same commitment.”

Specifically, this 10-point plan achieves the following:

1. Protects reproductive rights
2. Achieves pay equity
3. Prevents sexual harassment in the workplace
4. Strengthens human trafficking laws
5. Protects domestic violence victims
6. Ends housing discrimination for victims of domestic violence
7. Ends family status discrimination
8. Prevents pregnancy discrimination
9. Removes barriers to remedying discrimination
10. Stops source-of-income discrimination

“Our laws regarding women's rights needed to be upgraded,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This legislation has been long overdue and I am proud that we finally passed measures to ensure women can enjoy the rights they deserve. As chair of the Task Force on Women's Issues, I will continue to fight on behalf of all New York women.”

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Assemblywoman Russell announces new byways will encourage visitors to enjoy scenic North Country views

Assembly passes measure to expand the Black River Trail and create the Maple Traditions Scenic Byway

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced the Assembly passed legislation she sponsored to create two distinct New York State Scenic Byways in the North Country (A.4637). This legislation would expand the current Black River Trail and create a new Maple Traditions Scenic Byway to promote tourism.

“The North Country has so much to offer families and visitors looking to enjoy beautiful, scenic views,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “By expanding current byways and creating new ones here, we can provide tourists with exciting and educational corridors to enjoy the North Country’s unique landscape and learn more about the traditions and significance of our region. Also, new byways will improve travel, help preserve our environment and strengthen our economic revitalization with increased tourism.”

In 1992, the Scenic Byways Program was established as part of the state Department of Transportation to promote tourism and the preservation of surrounding environments through a statewide system of byways. The program encourages coordination between public and private interests to foster economic development, resource management and community services. Currently, there are over 2,000 miles of road included in the New York State Byways system that represent a particular region’s scenic, recreational, cultural, natural, historical or archaeological significance.

Last October, the New York State Scenic Byways Advisory Board made recommendations for the expansion of the Black River Trail and creation of the Maple Traditions Scenic Byway. Under the measure, the 95-mile corridor of the revised Black River Trail Scenic Byway would add various roads that pass through the towns of Hounsfield, Brownville and the city of Watertown in Jefferson County. It would rename sections of the existing Black River Trail to the new 71-mile corridor Maple Traditions Scenic Byway, which would also include towns of Oswegatchie and Canton in St. Lawrence County.

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Assemblywoman Russell works to restore cuts made to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

Issue is crucial to our most vulnerable New Yorkers and their families

            Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that a bill she sponsored that would restore up to $90 million to the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) to help nonprofits who work with some of New York’s most vulnerable residents has passed the Assembly (A.6692-C).

            “The services provided with OPWDD funding are vital – cuts cannot be absorbed without causing real pain and suffering to families and individuals who rely on them,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This legislation goes beyond budgeting – it involves an understanding that if these cuts are not restored, the quality of life for those with developmental disabilities will be diminished.”

            An oversight discovered by the federal government earlier this year forced New York State to pay back $1.1 billion in “overpayments” for services provided to the developmentally disabled. Negotiations with the federal government allowed the state to reduce that amount by more than half to $500 million, reducing the financial burden on OPWDD providers. However, this is what ultimately led to $90 million in OPWDD funding being cut from the final 2013-2014 state budget, well short of what is needed to provide services to those who are most in need.

The final 2013-14 state budget created a workgroup to find savings in OPWDD. The goal is to determine if a restoration of less than $90 million would allow nonprofits to continue to provide the services needed. For instance, if the workgroup found $20 million in savings, then a restoration of $70 million would be needed – not necessarily $90 million. A savings amount has not yet been determined.

“I am proud to join my colleagues in support of this bi-partisan legislation,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Solving our fiscal issues is never easy, but forcing our most vulnerable populations to suffer the consequences must be taken especially seriously.”

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Assembly passes Russell's bill approving additional 1% sales tax in St. Lawrence County

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced the Assembly passed a bill she sponsored that authorizes the county to impose an additional one percent sales and compensating use tax (A.4761). According to the county, this legislation is crucial for the implementation of its adopted five-year budget plan and will allow it to avoid having to increase property taxes.

 “This measure will not only assist the county in providing important services to the community, it will also allow St. Lawrence to take advantage of the growing number of shoppers visiting from outside of the county,” Assemblywoman Russell said.

This legislation would allow St. Lawrence County to collect an additional one percent sales tax, from three to four percent, until November 30, 2015. Including the state’s four percent tax, it would bring the county in line with the majority of other counties and localities with an eight percent sales tax rate. 

The legislation now awaits Senate approval where it remains in the Investigations and Government Operations Committee.

    

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Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell honors women veterans and offers support for female military members

Assembly also passed Russell’s legislation to assist veterans who 

experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST)

          Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that the Assembly passed a commemorative resolution declaring June 12, Women Veterans Recognition Day in New York (K.612). Assemblywoman Russell also honored the brave women veterans who have served our country by hosting a luncheon in the Legislative Office Building in Albany to discuss issues that impact female military members.

            Women Veterans Recognition Day coincides with the 65^th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Act of 1948. Signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, the law ensured that women would have a permanent place in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines.

           

            “Since that vital piece of legislation was signed into law, women in the military have contributed endlessly toward protecting the rights and freedom of our country,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “If you look back at every war or conflict America has been involved with in the past 65 years, women were there playing a valuable role – and now they literally are fighting right alongside their male counterparts. Because women have been an integral part of our military history and have made incredible sacrifices for our country, they deserve a special day to be honored.”

           

Since the Women’s Armed Services Act of 1948 was made law, more than 80,000 women from New York State have served in the United States military. Currently, women make up nearly 15 percent of our active duty military and as of 2009, 15.5 percent of the officers across the four military branches are women. In January 2013, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that the military would be lifting the policy against women in combat roles, marking a major advancement in policy. Further, in April 2013, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs launched a new hotline geared at assisting women veterans, their families and caretakers (1-855-VA-WOMEN).

Coinciding with Women Veterans Recognition Day, the Assembly passed important legislation Assemblywoman Russell sponsored to require that veteran organizations direct assistance to veterans who experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST) during their military service (A.7086). As the chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Women Veterans and a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Assemblywoman Russell is deeply committed to implementing policies that best support our veterans’ needs.

“The issues our veterans are facing are continually changing,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “That is why today is not only an occasion to honor women veterans for their service, it is also an opportunity to pass vital legislation supporting those who have answered the call to duty and sacrificed for our country.”

In honor of women past and present who have served our country, Assemblywoman Russell also encourages everyone to visit the New York State Women Veterans Memorial located on Madison Avenue and South Swan Street in Albany, near the New York State Museum.

           

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Assemblywoman Addie Russell helps pass legislative package that aids New Yorkers with disabilities

In recognition of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day, Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa) announced the passage of a comprehensive package of bills focused on improving the quality of life for New Yorkers with disabilities.

            “It is imperative that we do all we can to remove roadblocks and level the playing field for those with disabilities,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This package of legislation addresses and helps alleviate some of the challenges that people with disabilities must face on a regular basis.”

One group that will see significant changes are disabled veterans as the package establishes the New York State Interagency Coordinating Council for Service-Disabled Veterans (A.6213-A). This council will be tasked with better identifying the needs of our service-disabled veterans and efficiently matching these needs with appropriate state resources.

“This council will make it easier for veterans with disabilities, who have bravely served our country, to access programs that can improve their quality of life,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “As the chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Women Veterans and a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I will continue to fight to provide our service-disabled veterans with the support and assistance they require and deserve.”

In an effort to assist all New Yorkers with disabilities, the Assembly passed legislation that will assist people with disabilities during an emergency (A.6445). This legislation would require every owner of a high-rise building to establish and maintain an emergency evacuation plan for disabled occupants and visitors. This bill would also require those building owners to maintain and update the emergency evacuation plan for those with disabilities as necessary and have it available to emergency personnel.

“By addressing the unique needs of people with disabilities, this bill ensures the safety of those who are most vulnerable in emergency situations,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “By putting proper safeguards into place, we can prevent life-threatening situations from becoming tragic.”

In addition to these bills, the Assembly’s package also included a variety of legislation ranging from creating equal access to voting for blind and visually impaired voters, to preventing discrimination against people with service dogs, Assemblywoman Russell noted.

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