Assemblymember Russell wants to see the minimum wage increased across the board - not in one industry alone

As the New York State Department of Labor considers a recommendation made by the Fast Food Wage Board to increase the minimum wage for fast food workers, Assemblymember Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said caution is needed when considering a pay increase targeting one industry alone.

"While I am supportive of increasing New York's minimum wage to ensure no one working full-time lives in poverty, the Wage Board's unilateral increase targeting only one industry is not the appropriate way forward. Raising the minimum wage for fast food workers alone may create instability in New York's job market and is unfair to employers and employees in other fields," Russell said. "I supported legislation (A.7257) last year that would have increased the minimum wage across the state and tied future increases to the rate of inflation. I stand by my support of a living wage for all New Yorkers - not just for one industry - and I will continue to support workers in the years to come."

Assemblymember Russell thanked New York Air Brake for their dedication to the region at 125th anniversary

Speaking at the 125th Anniversary Celebration of Watertown's New York Air Brake, Assemblymember Addie Russell thanked the employees, management, and owners for their dedication to the North Country. Pictured with Russell is Chair of the Knorr-Bremse Board of Directors Heinz Hermann Thiele. Knorr-Bremse is the parent company of New York Air Brake.

Assemblymember Russell praises local effort to protect Fort Drum

Assemblymember Addie Russell, Fort Drum Garrison Commander Colonel Gary A. Rosenberg, and Fort Drum Commanding General Major General Stephen J. Townsend met with Speaker of the Assembly Carl E. Heastie in March to discuss how to avoid cuts to the installation.

The Army announced today that Fort Drum will retain the vast majority of its personnel, losing a few dozen soldiers as the Army reduces the size of its active force.

“I’m proud of the work done by local organizers to demonstrate the value of Fort Drum, both to the North Country, to the entire state of New York and our national defense. This was truly a team effort,” Assemblymember Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, said. “The community came together around this crucial strategic installation and enlisted the invaluable assistance of our state and federal leaders who rallied around Fort Drum alongside us. I want to thank state Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie for his support and our representatives in Washington, D.C., from senior Senator Charles Schumer - who has led the fight to preserve Ft. Drum, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Representative Elise Stefanik, for their efforts in protecting Fort Drum.”

Assemblymember Russell's bill protecting volunteer firefighters signed into law

For volunteer firefighters, the dangers of keeping their communities safe extend beyond the scene of an emergency, and legislation passed by Assemblymember Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, will ensure they’re protected down the road (A.6242).

“Volunteer firefighters are selfless and vigilant members of our local communities who are deeply invested in the areas they serve,” Russell said. “These men and women put themselves in harm’s way whenever they arrive at the scene of an emergency, and I believe we owe it to them to give them protection down the road.”