Assemblywoman Russell remembered the fallen members of the Armed Forces at Antwerp's Memorial Day Parade

 

 

Assemblywoman Addie Russell gave the keynote address at this year's Memorial Day Parade in Antwerp. Pictured behind her is Kennedy Walts, this year's Poppy Queen from Evans Mills, and Past Jefferson County American Legion Commander Dave Garish. Russell thanked the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and urged those in attendance to never take for granted our freedom and security.

 

Video after the jump:

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell delivers victory for children; passes education legislation

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, joined her colleagues in the Assembly to pass legislation (A.7303-A) that directly addresses the education reforms enacted in the 2015-16 state budget. Russell is a co-sponsor of the bill, which will ensure children have the ability to learn in the proper environment.

"Classrooms are a place to cultivate young minds, not for children and teachers to endure unreasonable pressure and anxiety," Russell said. 

Assemblywoman Russell supports legislation to ensure education puts children first

 

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said Wednesday she is supporting legislation introduced in the Assembly that modifies education reforms enacted in the 2015-16 state budget (A.7303-A).

“It is important that education is appropriate for our children,” Russell said. “In the last budget the Assembly fought to include autonomy on behalf of the Board of Regents to ensure education reform is handled by education professionals. The Board of Regents needs ample time to proceed so they can get this right. This legislation would also provide school districts more support and time to adapt to any changes presented by the Regents.”

Assemblywoman Russell passes law to support volunteer firefighters diagnosed with cancer

Recognizing the dangers facing volunteer firefighters in New York State Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, passed legislation today that would support firefighters even after they’ve left the scene of an emergency (A.6242).

“Volunteer firefighters protect the vast majority of our local communities and are heavily involved in the areas they serve,” Russell said. “The legislation I sponsored will require insurance companies to presume that certain cancers are the direct result of firefighters serving their communities, helping those who have been harmed in the line of duty.”

Assemblywoman Russell passes bill to provide equal access to child care across New York

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, passed legislation today that will create equal access to child care assistance throughout New York.

“Many families require both parents to work in order to make ends meet, making child care a necessity,” Russell said. “Unfortunately, the exorbitant cost of child care means many families will struggle under the financial burden.”

Assemblywoman Russell passes legislation to close LLC loophole

Assemblywoman Russell, D-Theresa, voted today to close a loophole in the campaign finance law with respect to Limited Liability Companies (LLC). According to State Board of Elections, LLCs are currently treated as individual donors and have corresponding campaign contribution limitations. Because of this, individuals can make multiple contributions to the same candidate or committee through separate LLCs, skirting the campaign finance law.

“This legislation will make political campaigns more transparent,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “By closing this loophole, we will be able to limit big spenders who try to circumvent campaign finance laws, take big money out of politics, and ensure everyone plays by the same rules.”

Assemblywoman Russell noted that the legislation would clarify election law and treat LLCs as corporations, holding them to an aggregate $5,000 contribution limit in a calendar year.

Assemblywoman Russell will attend education listening session with Regent Ouderkirk in Potsdam

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, plans on attending Wednesday's listening session hosted by Board of Regents Member Beverly L. Ouderkirk in Potsdam.

The listening session will give teachers, administrators, students, and community members the opportunity to offer their perspective to Regent Ouderkirk as she and the rest of the board shapes principal and teacher evaluations and curriculum.

The listening session is scheduled for Wednesday at 6pm in the auditorium at Potsdam High School.

Assemblywoman Russell attends learning summit on teacher evaluations

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, participated in the state Board of Regents Learning Summit in Albany where she joined members of the state Education Department, Board of Regents and lawmakers to hear from a panel of national experts and New York State stakeholder groups, including representatives from the statewide organizations for superintendents, principals, teachers, parents, and school board members. The focus of the learning session is the evaluation systems for teachers and principals.

“Today’s Learning Summit gave stakeholders a chance to present their views to the Board of Regents as well as myself and other members of the Assembly in attendance,” Russell said. “Ultimately I have faith that the Board of Regents will listen to stakeholders and create regulations that preserve the best of the existing system and focus on implementing improvements founded on sound research. I’m continuing to work with my Education Advisory Committee in the North Country as well as the Board of Regents to give our communities the ability to prepare and exercise local control.”

Assemblywoman Russell passes bill ending workplace discrimination of parents, backs Families First Agenda

Today, in an effort to further protect New Yorkers from unfair treatment in the workplace, the state Assembly passed a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, that will prevent employers from discriminating against people based on their family status.

“Families are the building blocks of society and if someone is not given a fair shot at employment because they have children, it makes us weaker,” Russell said. “With the passage of my bill, the Assembly is pushing to ensure that no matter one’s family status, they will not be discriminated against but judged by their qualifications.”

Assemblywoman Russell supports measure to secure a living wage for New York families

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, joined her colleagues in the state Assembly to pass an increase in New York's minimum wage to $12.60 by 2018.

“Too many working New Yorkers struggle to make ends meet, forcing them to choose between buying groceries or filling their gas tank," Russell said. "Today, with North Country families in mind, I helped pass legislation to raise the minimum wage. The Assembly Majority is fighting on behalf of those who work full time but still struggle. This bill supports employees here in the North Country to earn a living wage, which will also boost our local economy.”

Education forum brings school aid experts to Indian River

Pictured from left to right are Assemblywoman Addie Russell, Dr. Rick Timbs, executive director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium, Charles Szuberla, assistant commissioner at the New York State Education Department, and Billy Easton, executive director of the New York State Alliance for Quality Education.

Members of the Education Advisory Commission and residents of the North Country attended a public forum with state education experts to discuss school funding Thursday night. 

The event, organized by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, featured Dr. Rick Timbs, executive director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium, Billy Easton, executive director of the New York State Alliance for Quality Education, and Charles Szuberla, assistant commissioner at the New York State Education Department.