Assemblywoman Jenne: North Country residents understand importance of protecting land, water and air

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said rural residents like those living in the North Country understand the importance of protecting the environment.

Assemblywoman Jenne was one of the speakers at a rally Saturday in Ives Park prior to a People's Climate March through downtown Potsdam. Marchers were protesting changes to federal environmental policies. The event, organized by the North Country 350 Alliance, drew close to 400 people.

She pointed out she is the seventh generation of her family to live in the North Country.

"That means my ancestors did work with their hands, lived off the land, depended on their neighbors  and eked out a living. That ethic, the sense of who we are, is still what the North Country is all about," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"We've lived off the land, and we have depended on our neighbors. We know the importance of taking care of our land and waterways. When we have some elected officials that are denying science, that don't understand how interdependent we all are and that one thing impacts the others, they think they can use empty rhetoric to lull us into a situation where we will just nod and go along with the craziness they are proposing," she added.

But she noted North Country residents have a unique relationship with the land, rivers and lakes in the region and understand the importance of protecting the natural resources in the area.

"I have faith - because I'm from the North Country - that our way of life is to use science, use it responsibly and to make sure our world is ready for the next generation to take over," Assemblywoman Jenne pointed out.

"Coming from the North Country, I know we are going to fight back this back. We come from a generation that knows what we do today is absolutely going to impact what comes tomorrow," the assemblywoman noted.

She urged those in the crowd to share the facts about climate change with their neighbors and beyond the North Country.

'We come from a tradition here of leaving a legacy. We do not deny science. I am heartened by all of you standing here raising your voices. I know today is not the end of your advocacy. I know you are going to continue on, and I'm going to stand shoulder to shoulder with you, arms together, until we take back our country," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"This is science. We have to take the facts to the world. Let's take the facts to them and win this argument," she stressed.

Other speakers at the event were Jon Rosales, an associate professor of Environmental Studies at St. Lawrence University; Rev. Deborah Packard, Presbyterian Church of Potsdam; and Mike Jock, a representative from Akwesasne. Folksinger Celia Evans also performed at the rally.

People's climate Marches were also held in Plattsburgh and Glens Falls, both in the 21st Congressional District, along with Syracuse, Washington, D.C., and several other locations around the country.

IN THE PHOTOS:

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Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne speaks to the crowd prior to the People's Climate March Saturday afternoon in Potsdam.

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Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne listens to a speaker prior to Saturday's People's Climate March in Potsdam.

The People's Climate March attracted a crowd ranging from youngsters to elders.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne speaks to the crowd gathered Saturday afternoon in Ives Park prior to the People's Climate March in Potsdam.

A large crowd marched through downtown Potsdam on Saturday to voice their opposition to federal policies that are peeling away environmental protections.

Assemblywoman Jenne gets look at farm to school programs at Watertown elementary schools

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visited two elementary schools in the Watertown City School District on Friday to get a first-hand look at the steps the district has taken with funding they received through her farm to school pilot project in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties.

Assemblywoman Jenne had an opportunity to discuss the project with school administrators as well as students at  Starbuck and North elementary schools.

Funding has been included in the 2017-18 state budget to fund a second year of Assemblywoman Jenne's farm to school pilot project.

IN THE PHOTOS:

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Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne discusses the farm to school program with Starbuck Elementary School Principal Chad Fairchild (l) and Watertown Superintendent Terry N. Fralick.

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Gavin, a student at North Elementary School, talks about produce being grown on a grow rack in his classroom with Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne poses for a photograph with students in Tracy Kriegbaum's kindergarten class at Starbuck Elementary School. Their classroom hosted the grow racks this season, and they harvested some of the produce for a little Friday morning snack

Assemblywoman Jenne honors Massena Chamber's Excellence In Entrepreneurship Award winner

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne praised Racheal Nezezon, who was named the winner of the Massena Chamber of Commerce's Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award Thursday evening at the chamber's Food and Wine Showcase.

The assemblywoman pointed out Ms. Nezezon balances her work life as owner and designerd at Verville's Flowers with her family life. She and her husband, Michael, have four children.

Assemblywoman Jenne said entrepreneurs like Ms. Nezezon will play an important role in future job growth in the region.

IN THE PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (center) honors Racheal Nezezon for being named the winner of the Massena Chamber of Commerce's Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award. Nate Lashomb, left, executive director of the Massena chamber, loos on.

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Racheal Nezezon, third from left, was joined by family members after being awarded the Massena Chamber of Commerce's Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award. Pictured are (l-r): Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Russell; Racheal's grandfather, John Stafford; Ms. Nezezon and Mike Nezezon.

Rachael Nezezon, owner and designer at Verville's Flowers on East Orvis Street, was the recipient of the chamber's Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award. Pictured are (l-r) Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, Racheal Lashomb and.chamber Executive Director Nate Lashomb.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Volunteers key to success of our communities

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said the awards ceremony at the Massena Chamber of Commerce's 85th annual soiree - transitioned this year from a dinner to a food and wine showcase - was a vivid reminder of the role volunteers play in making our communities better places to live, work and play. 

She noted the honorees at Thursday night's chamber event have raised money for community organizations, donated countless hours of their personal time to volunteer at community events and worked to grow business in the community.

Assemblywoman Jenne presented citations to each of the award winners from the New York State Assembly.

IN THE PHOTOS:

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John and Nancy Bogosian were honored with the Massena Chamber of Commerce's Community Support Award. The Bogosians have run trivia events that have raised over $200,000 for community organizations. Pictured are (l-r) chamber Past President Ann Viskovich, Nancy Bogosian, John Bogosian and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.

BOTTOM PHOTO:

Long-time chamber volunteer Christina Hamel was honored with a Volunteer of Year Award. Pictured are (l-r) chamber Executive Director Nate Lashomb, Christina Hamel and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.

Christine Lawrence was honored for a Volunteer of the Year Award for support she has given the chamber. Pictured are (l-r) chamber Executive Director Nate Lashomb, Chrstine Lawrence and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.

Rachael Nezezon, owner and designer at Verville's Flowers on East Orvis Street, was the recipient of the chamber's Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award. Pictured are (l-r) Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, Racheal Lashomb and.chamber Executive Director Nate Lashomb. 

MISSING FROM PHOTOS:

Mark Bogdan, a certified public accountant with an office on Main Street, was the winner of the chamber's Business Leadership Award. Mr. Bogdan had a prior family commitment and was not on hand to receive his award. Mr. Bogdan has also been an active chamber member for a number of years. He also serves on several non-profit boards, chairs the annual Meals on Wheels Radiothon

and is actively involved in many community organizations. 

Assemblywoman Jenne attends change of command ceremony at Fort Drum

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne was on hand Thursday morning for the change of command ceremony for the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum.

She praised Major General Jeffrey L. Bannister, commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division since 2015, for his leadership of the troops and base as he prepares for his next deployment.

Major General Bannister handed over command of the 10th Mountain Division to Major General Walter E. Piatt, who had served as director of Army Operations, Readiness and Mobilization and then as the director of Operations, Army Rapid Capabilities Office, at the Pentagon before being deployed back to Fort Drum.

Major General Piatt served with the 10th Mountain Division from 1999 to 2003 and then returned to Fort Drum in 2012-13.

General Robert B. Adams, commanding general of the U.S. Army Forces Command, spoke at the change of command ceremony.

IN THE PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne attended the change of command ceremony Thursday morning at Fort Drum.

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General Robert B. Adams, commanding general of the U.S. Army Forces Command, speaks at the change of command ceremony Tuesday at Fort Drum.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne hugs Tracy Bannister, wife of Major General Jeffrey Bannister, during the change of command ceremony Tuesday at Fort Drum. She noted family members play an important role in the Fort Drum community and also make great sacrifices to support family members serving in the military.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne thanks Major General Jeffrey L. Bannister, outgoing commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division, for his leadership during his tenure at Fort Drum.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with  Lindsey Bannister, daughter of Major General Jeffrey L. and Tracy Bannister, during the change of command ceremony Tuesday at Fort Drum.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Recovery Center important step forward in substance abuse battle

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said Tuesday's grand opening of the Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center in Watertown is a major step forward in the effort to battle the heroin and opioid epidemic in the region and state.

The center, which will be run by Pivot, will provide critical free programs for people in recovery from a substance use disorder and their families. The center is supported through a $1.75 million award from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

Recovery Community and Outreach Centers support multi-pronged approach to addressing substance use disorders in communities across New York State by providing locally based addiction support services.

The centers promote long-term recovery by providing professional staff, peers and volunteers to engage and support people in recovery. Individuals and families will also have the opportunity to connect with peers who are going through similar challenges, so they can benefit from shared experiences and commitment to common goals for recovery. Access to peer advocates, recovery coaches, and addiction peer specialists through these recovery centers will help to further enhance the recovery process.

"This is an important part of addressing the opioid epidemic in the north country. It is very difficult to rebuild a life and family after suffering from addiction. The services and support system this center provides will help many through this difficult process and at the same time create a community of recovery that can help convince others to overcome their addiction and enter recovery," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

More than $200 million was included in the FY 2018 State Budget to fight addiction across the state.

This budget promotes the enhancement of New York State’s nation-leading model of delivering prevention, treatment, and recovery services. It includes continued support for the state’s robust network of public and private service providers, as well as funding to implement new, and forward-thinking initiatives, such as Youth Clubhouses, Recovery Centers, Peer Advocacy, and Community Coalitions.

The budget also provides funding to open 10, 24-7 urgent access centers across the state, so people can be assessed and referred to treatment, whenever they are ready, without having to wait for regular business hours.

"Recovery centers are vital tools in our efforts to help New Yorkers break the cycle of addiction and restore hope to communities," Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said. "This new center will help provide North Country residents with the resources they need to regain control of their lives, stay on a path to recovery and help make a stronger, healthier New York for all."

New York State OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez was in Watertown for the grand opening.

“Because addiction is a chronic disease, merely providing treatment is not enough. Recovery supports, like those at Anchor, have to be in place if people are going to succeed. At recovery centers, people with substance use disorder can engage with peers, attend support groups and develop a sense of community that will help them through the lifelong journey of recovery,” she said.

William W. Bowman, executive director of Pivot, Anchor’s parent organization, said the Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center will be an important tool to assist individuals and families struggling with issues tied to substance abuse.

“We in the North Country have worked tirelessly to address the heroin, opioid and other drug problems that have challenged our communities. The Anchor Recovery Center will fill a huge gap for individuals and families desperate for help by improving access to treatment, providing a wide range of recovery supports and tackling the stigma of addiction as we look to turn the tide on this crippling epidemic.”

Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center will offer peer support, skill building, recreation, wellness education, employment readiness, and social activities in a safe, welcoming, and alcohol/drug free environment.

The center will also provide information, education, and assistance to the community on how to access addiction treatment and will help people navigate complex insurance and treatment issues. In addition, individuals and families can expect to receive services such as peer-led addiction and recovery support groups; family support and resources; life skills training; linkage with community resources; health and wellness activities; community service opportunities; and education and vocational services.

Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center will also feature a variety of self-help groups that address multiple conditions, including compulsive gambling and codependency, as well as substance use disorder. Numerous health and wellness activities including non-chemical pain management, yoga, and nutritional and parenting classes will also be available

All of the services are free and are developed to support and empower the recovery community. To meet the needs of individuals and families who may be in need of assistance at varying hours, services will be accessible not only during daytime hours, but also during evening and weekends. Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center is located at 241-243 State Street, Watertown.

New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help and hope by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).

Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found using the new and improved NYS OASAS Treatment Availability Dashboard atFindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov or through the Access Treatment page on the NYS OASAS website.Visit the #CombatAddiction website at oasas.ny.gov/CombatAddiction to learn more about how you can help to #CombatAddiction in your community.

Visit www.combatheroin.ny.gov for more information on addressing heroin and prescription opioid abuse, including a Kitchen Table Tool Kit to help start the conversation about the warning signs of addiction and where to get help. For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit the state’s Talk2Prevent website.

IN THE PHOTO:

New York State OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez was in Watertown Tuesday to help cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the Anchor Recovery Community and Outreach Center. Pictured are (l-r): Melinda Gault, Pivot Board of Directors chair; Pat Fralick, acting director, Lewis County Community Services Department; Roger Ambrose, director of Jefferson County Community Services Department; William Bowman, Pivot executive director; Arlene Gonzalaz-Sanchez, OASAS commissioner; Anita Sigfried-Brown, Pivot; Wanda Holtz, program director, Anchor Recovery Center; and .

CREDO hosts open house for opioid treatment center

Dr. Daniel Pisaniello speaks during a ceremony on Tuesday marking the opening of the CREDO Opioid Treatment Center on State Street in Watertown. New York State OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez was also on hand for the event. Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said the CREDO program offers the only opioid treatment center between Syracuse and Plattsburgh. The assemblywoman said the treatment program and the opening of the Anchor Recovery Center of Northern New York provide the region with the continuum of care options necessary in the fight to assist individuals and families challenged by the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic in the region.

Assemblywoman Jenne recognizes Canton High School boys' basketball team's run to Class B state title game

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne recently stopped at Canton High School to honor the Golden Bears boys' basketball team for a season that ended with a trip to the New York State Class B championship game.

Assemblywoman Jenne met with the players, coaches and family members and presented certificates to the team's players and coaching staff.

She noted the team's play had translated into strong community spirit demonstrated by the Golden Bears fan base that followed the Canton team on their run in the state tournament.

"I just wanted to express my appreciation for how well Canton represented the North Country during this year's state basketball season. This team was marked by a combination of youth and veterans, and they have set a high mark for future Golden Bears basketball players to aspire," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"These types of seasons only happen when players and coaches are willing to make a commitment to excellence and demonstrate the ability to battle back when they face adversity. These are traits for championship athletes as well as for success in the work world and life," she noted.

The Canton High School boys' team finished the 2016-17 season with a 23-6 record. the Golden Bears season included the school's first Section 10 championship as a Class B team and its first overall Section 10 title since 1996.

Canton advanced to the state Class B championship game in Binghamton, where they got down early to Westhill but never quit fighting and were able to close the gap to 10 points early in the fourth quarter but were unable to complete yet another comeback.

The Golden Bears opened the state tournament ranked 20th in the state and knocked off then number one ranked and previously unbeaten Glens Falls in the first round of the state tournament.

Canton advanced to the state title game by beating Buffalo Health Sciences 67-55 in its first Final Four game in school history.

Another highlight of the season was senior guard Louden Porter becoming the school's first player to eclipse the 1,000 point mark in 20 years.

"Canton was one of a number of North Country teams that brought great joy to the North Country this season with their success on the ice and in the gym. Heuvelton won its third Class D state girls' basketball championship in three years, the Clarkson women's hockey team captured its second Division 1 national championship in four years, Massena High School's boys' hockey team advanced to the New York State Division 1 Frozen Four tournament and St. Lawrence Central advanced to the New York State Division II Frozen Four championship game," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"These teams representing the North Country have demonstrated our athletes have what it takes to compete at the highest levels of competition in the state and country. The same skills and character traits demonstrated by athletes representing our region can also benefit us as we work to revitalize the North Country economy. These teams have shown North Country First isn't just a hash tag; it is a reality," she added.

IN THE PHOTOS:

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Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne recently visited Canton High School to recognize the boys' basketball team for a run that ended in the New York State Class B championship game. She presented certificates of merit to the players and their coaches. Pictured are, front row (l-r): Joey Roiger, Nate Pennyman, Declan Porter, Andy Downs and Chauncey Douglas. Second row: Quentin Haenel, Louden Porter, Isaiah Davis, Addie Jenne, Tommy Bortnick, Curtis Hitchman and Jack Gordon. Third row: Chasse Writesel, Cody Sipher, Kiernan LaFaver, Matt Rosser, Brandon Lorenc, Lincoln Hall and Coach Troy Lassial.

BOTTOM PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne congratulated members of the Canton High School boys' basketball team for a 2016-17 season that ended in the state championship game. The student-athletes also were present at the event that included presentations of certificates of merit from the New York State Assembly.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with Canton High School Boys' Basketball Coach Troy Lassial during a recent visit to the school to present certificates of merit to team members.

Assemblywoman Jenne talks with college officials about need for diversity in teacher education programs

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne recently met with students and admnistrators from SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University and SUNY Canton to discuss steps that can be taken to address the looming teacher shortage and to increase diversity in the teaching field. Staff from the four college's HEOP and EOP programs were among those in attendance at the session. Among those in attendance at the session were (top photo) SLU HEOP Director Bill Short, SLU student Amanda Huebner-Lane, SLU student Kenesha Taylor, SUNY Potsdam Center for Diversity Interim Director Louise Tyo, Assemblywoman Jenne, Clarkson student Jheilyno Colon, Clarkson HEOP Assistant Director Kelvin Herrera-Hassan and SUNY Potsdam Center for School Partnerships and Teacher Certification Amy Guiney.

Assemblywoman Jenne joins Senator Schumer to share support for EAS subsidies

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne joined U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer Friday afternoon at the Watertown International Airport as he launched a major push to protect important air service in Upstate New York,  especially at Watertown, Massena and Ogdensburg International Airports from proposed cuts by the administration.

The recently released Administration's FY2018 budget proposes eliminating the Essential Air Service (EAS) Program that provides support for small, rural airports across the country.

Senator Schumer highlighted that the EAS program is critical to supporting air service in a number of communities, including in Jefferson St. Lawrence and Lewis counties. He added that this cut is reckless, harmful to the economy, counter-productive and could deeply impact the ability of Watertown International Airport and many other North Country airports to remain operational for commercial flights, undermining the local economy and forcing resident to drive hours to the next closest airport.

“These proposed cuts are wrong-headed and reckless,” Senator Schumer said. “They would be devastating for the North Country’s airports. Communities across the region rely on this program and the service these airports provide.

"Residents deserve to enjoy convenient, reliable air service in their own communities. It creates jobs, energizes our economy, and improves quality of life. If the administration has its way, all of that would be wiped away with the stroke of a pen. I will fight tooth and nail to stop that from happening. Our job is to support families and grow communities. This unnecessary cut would do just the opposite,” he added.

Assemblywoman Jenne said Senator Schumer understands the importance of air service in rural communities.

"The senator has really captured all of these issues that show why this type of service is so essential. This aid is absolutely essential to the economies of the communities that host these airports," she said.

"We know first hand we are getting grants from the state level to support these efforts throughout the region. We're hopeful air traffic, air travel and air service maintenance will be a growing part of our economy here," she pointed out.

"It would set us back tremendously if this funding was removed," according to Assemblywoman Jenne. "I want to thank Senator Schumer for focusing on this issue as one of the major issues facing the North Country."

She had sent a letter to the region's federal representatives last month expressing her concern with the budget proposal unveiled by the federal administration calling for the elimination of subsidies that have been critical in bringing passenger air service to the region.

"I am concerned about the future of North Country airports, including the Watertown, Ogdensburg and Massena international airports, which are supported by the federal Department of Transportation’s Essential Air Service (EAS) program," she wrote in that letter.

"The budget blueprint eliminates funding or the EAS program, which would likely result in a reduction or termination of air service to these rural communities and in largely unaffordable rates for the flights that remain. I urge you to oppose the inclusion of this cut in future budget negotiations in Washington. Our communities cannot afford to lose this critical service," Assemblywoman Jenne had added in her letter to the federal representatives.

Senator Schumer pointed to Watertown International Airport’s success utilizing the federal program. The EAS provides nearly $2 million dollars per year in critical support for twice-daily American Airlines flights from Watertown to Philadelphia, serving nearly 35,000 passengers each year. Although Watertown International and American have worked to decrease reliance on the EAS program over the years, officials say it is still necessary to maintain service. Eliminating the federal support in 2018 could wipe out the service completely, delivering a massive blow to the North Country’s economy, Schumer said.

The threat is not limited to Watertown, as EAS funding supports North Country Airports in Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake/Lake Placid. Massena International Airport, which recently chose Boutique Air to provide service this year, served 10,554 passengers in 2016. Ogdensburg International Airport served about 8,233 passengers through its EAS contract with Cape Air last year. Plattsburgh served 13,432 passengers and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid served 9,547 passengers through their EAS contracts. 

Without the options at these airports, North Country residents would be forced to drive hours to the next closest airport – sometimes up to a couple hundred miles away.

Senator Schumer has long advocated for Watertown and other airports who receive funding from EAS. In February, Schumer announced that Boutique Air would serve as the new essential air service provider in Massena.

The flights from Massena would go direct to Baltimore and Albany and allow for travelers in the North Country to connect to other major cities. Schumer spent years advocating for the continued service from Watertown to Philadelphia and helped deliver funding to expand the runway for larger American flights to takeoff. Finally in 2015 Senator Schemer announced that Cape Air would receive $10.2 million over four years for continued service from Ogdensburg International Airport.

Senator Schumer was joined at Watertown International Airport by Assemblywoman Jenne; airport managers from Watertown, Ogdensburg and Saranac Lake; and local officials.

The EAS program was developed after the airline industry was deregulated in 1978. Deregulation gave airlines the freedom to decide which markets to serve and how much to charge for that service. This led to a scarcity of air service in many communities across the country where operating costs were higher and populations were smaller and less dense.

The EAS program was put in to place to guarantee air service to these under served communities. EAS ensures commuter airlines across the country serve approximately 140 rural communities, including six communities in Upstate New York: Watertown, Jamestown, Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, and Saranac Lake/Lake Placid.

Without EAS, there would likely be no scheduled air service to and from many of these airports, forcing residents to travel long distances to access air service and delivering a devastating blow to job creation efforts.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer vowed to fight against a proposal in the executive budget that call for cuts to the essential air subsidies that bring passenger air service to rural airports including Watertown, Ogdensburg, Massena and Saranac Lake. He was joined at the podium by Assemblywoman Jenne,  Jefferson County Legislature Chair Scott Gray, Watertown International Manager Grant Sussey, Adirondack Regional Airport Manager Corey Hurwitch, Ogdensburg International Airport Manager Patrick Sharrow and Massena Town Councilman Albert Nicola.

BOTTOM PHOTO:

Senator Charles E. Schumer discussed regional issues with local officials during a stop Friday afternoon in Watertown. Pictured are (clockwise) Senator Schumer, Jefferson County Legislature Chair Scott Gray, Samaritan Medical Center President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Carman and FDRLO Executive Director Brian Ashley.

Assemblywoman Jenne honors Heuvelton girls' basketball three-peat state champions

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne stopped at Heuvelton Central School this week to congratulate the girls' basketball team for winning their third Class D state championship.

She acknowledged a stop in Heuvelton to meet with the girls' basketball team is becoming an annual rite of spring on her calendar.

The Heuvelton girls' varsity basketball team recently captured their third Class D state championship in three years with a 78-54 victory over Panama on the floor at the Hudson Valley Community College gymnasium. The Bulldogs finished the season with a 27-1 record.

Heuvelton is one of just three Class D schools to win three consecutive New York State titles;

Assemblywoman Jenne said the next generation of female leaders is being molded from the experiences they gain playing high school and college athletics.

"You have excelled at a really high level. You have shown you have the drive and ability to succeed. There was a time when there was a perception that women leaders didn't support each other," the assemblywoman told team members.

"But the opportunities you have experienced in high school athletics have provided you with the understanding of the value of teamwork in making good things happen," she said.

"You are going to be able to be more powerful in what you choose to do with the rest of your lives because you have shown you have the skills and mental toughness to rise to the occasion and attain near perfection. This experience will impact your perspective as women, as mothers, as professionals, whatever you choose to do," she added.

Assemblywoman Jenne said one of the team's greatest accomplishments has been the players' abilities to adapt to new roles and continue their run of success after losing state championship caliber players to graduation in each of the last two years after winning their first state title.

She also pointed to the tremendous support the team has received from its hometown fans as well as from around the North Country during its state tournament play.

She said the support and the interest Heuvelton's success has generated over the past few years made the Class D Section 10 tournament title game between Hammond and Heuvelton an event that filled the Roos House gymnasium rather than a basketball game.

Assemblywoman Jenne reminded the athletes, however, that with the adulation and community support comes responsibility.

"You are already role models. You are feared and revered. You will always be able to walk with your heads high because you are champions, but you will also always carry the responsibility that goes with being a role model," she said.

"I know you will have a tremendous impact in whatever you choose to do, wherever you choose to go. You have shown you understand the value of hard work, commitment and dedication to reach your goals in life. Those traits will be able to bring you personally and professionally to the highest level," Assemblywoman Jenne noted.

Coach Rob Powers said the experience of the three state titles has continued off the court as the players have been recognized for their success.

It's a post season that includes interacting with state elected officials like Assemblywoman Jenne, having resolutions passed in both houses of the state legislature honoring the team, appearing at a St. Lawrence County Legislature meeting to be honored by county lawmakers and a number of other accolades.

"It's absolutely incredible, just the support we have received from everybody. We came back into town after this year's win, and there was a parade for us with firetrucks coming from all over the region," Coach Powers said.

"We also get great support from our local schools. When we are playing for state championships, it's not just a Heuvelton thing. It's a St. Lawrence County thing, and we are so appreciative of that support. We have such a strong fan base. You look out and see what we call Purple Rain or Sea of Purple. It's just mind blowing," he noted.

Coach Powers said he is as proud of the way the players carry themselves as state champions off the court as he is of their play in the gymnasium.

"It's a testimony to how these kids are raised. They like to joke around about it, but they are not arrogant at all. We wouldn't let them be," he quipped.

IN THE PHOTOS:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne poses for a photo with members of the three-time Class D state champion Heuvelton girls' basketball team during a visit to the school this week. Pictured are, front row (l-r): Madison McCormick, Alexandra Steele, Paige McCormick, Kristi Donnelly and Kedan Mack. Second row: Jidapa Paibulsirichi, Sarah Nichols, Alyssa Johnson, Emily Streeter and Rayna Cameron. Third row: Assistant Coach Austin Weakfall, Xi Du,
Megan Montpetit, Assemblywoman Jenne, Chelsie Jock, Lara Martin, Kelsey Williams and Molly Williams. Back row: Coach Rob Powers.

The Heuvelton girls' basketball team presented Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne with a three-peat championship shirt during her visit to the school this week. Pictured are (l-r): senior Kaden Mack, Assemblywoman Jenne, senior Paige McCormick and senior Kristi Donnelly. The seniors have been part of back to back to back Class D state championships.

Seniors (l-r) Kaden Mack, Paige McCormick and Kristi Donnelly talk about their future plans with Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (second from left).

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visited Heuvelton Central School to congratulate the girls' varsity basketball team on their back to back to back state championships

Assemblywoman Jenne: North Country students will benefit from free tuition program

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne says the North Country is home to the highest percentage of families in the state with college age students that will be eligible for free tuition at SUNY and CUNY schools.

"College affordability is a major concern, and this innovative program will be a great benefit for local students and their families," she said.

"I think it will be a tremendous incentive to help stem the brain drain from New York State and particularly the North Country," Assemblywoman Jenne added.

The 2017-18 state budget makes a substantial investment in SUNY and CUNY schools and helps expand access to higher education through scholarship and opportunity programs.

The budget also requires the Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) to complete a college affordability study examining student loan debt relief and student loan refinancing options as well as affordability initiatives to help find ways to reduce the cost of student textbooks, transportation and housing.

"This is a good first step, but there is still much work to be done as we address college affordability. I will continue to fight to address student loan debt, an issue I understand first hand, and to look at ways we can better control non-tuition costs at our colleges and universities," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The state budget provides funding to establish the Excelsior Scholarship, a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind initiative to make SUNY and CUNY schools tuition-free for New Yorkers who earn less than $125,000 annually by year three of the phased in program.

Students who attend a private college in New York and earn less than $125,000 annually would also be eligible for a scholarship award of up to $6,000.

The new Enhanced Tuition Award will enable students attending private not-for-profit colleges to receive financial assistance to complete their college degree.

The program provides a maximum award of $3,000, requires private colleges to provide a match and freeze student tuition for the duration of the award – maximizing the financial benefit to the student. The Enacted Budget includes $19 million for the program.

"This component of the higher education budget package was equally important. Clarkson and St. Lawrence University provide their students with a high quality education and are important players in our region's economy. It is equally important to offer students attending a private college or university an opportunity to make college more affordable as well," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The Governor's Office has reported approximately 940,000 New York families will be eligible for the free tuition program, including 85 percent of the 18,452 families from the North Country with college-age students.

By comparison, just 56 percent of families on Long Island and 63 percent of students in the Hudson Valley will have students eligible for free tuition.

The new initiative will be phased in over three years, beginning for New Yorkers making up to $100,000 annually in the fall of 2017, increasing to $110,000 in 2018, and reaching $125,000 in 2019.

The Excelsior Scholarship will fill gaps in a student's financial aid package after Tuition Assistance Program funds and any applicable federal grants to cover the full cost of tuition at SUNY and CUNY schools.

New Yorkers must be enrolled in college full-time, averaging 30 credits per year and completing their degree on-time.

The program includes built in flexibility, allowing students to pause and restart the program, due to a hardship, or take fewer credits one semester than another.

Students must also maintain a grade point average necessary for the successful completion of their coursework. Under the program, New Yorkers will be required to live and work in-state for the number of years they received the Excelsior Scholarship.

"It is important to remember free tuition doesn't mean free college. Tuition reflects only about 25 percent of the cost of attending a SUNY school when room, board, fees and books are included," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She said the provisions included in the free tuition program are a reminder that there is responsibility that comes with receiving the much-needed benefit.

The stipulation requiring students taking part in the program to stay and work in state following their graduation will benefit the state's economy and also can be beneficial for students, the assemblywoman suggested.

"It will be a valuable exercise in planning and responsibility. I don't think it is a bad thing that it will require students to take a hard look at their future as they look at their college options. They are going to have to think about what they are going to do in the future before they spend a lot of money on college," she noted.

Assemblywoman Jenne said students in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties could also benefit from having SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Canton and Jefferson Community College located in their communities.

"Many students in our region choose to commute to college to lower the cost of this education. This free tuition program will greatly benefit that effort," she said.

The assemblywoman said she has long fought for college affordability and believes the free tuition program is long overdue. She noted there had been free tuition at SUNY schools in the early years of the system.

"There was a day a generation or two ago when a high school graduate could get a diploma one day and find a good paying job at a paper plant or aluminum plant in the North Country literally the next day," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"Those days are gone and changes in our economy mean more and more of our jobs with living wages require a college education," she said.

"We know the income disparity between those with college degrees and those with high school degrees continues to grow," according to the assemblywoman.

"This program will mean students from hard working families in the North Country and around the state can attend public colleges and universities tuition free, helping even more young people make their college dreams come true,” she said.

The budget also includes $100 million for SUNY and $60 million for CUNY in capital funding for maintenance and expansion purposes.

Further, the state budget allocates $450 million for SUNY and $224 million for CUNY for critical maintenance. To help students and their families meet the rising, non-tuition costs of college, the budget includes $8 million to help SUNY and CUNY develop online educational resources to help alleviate the high cost of textbooks for students.

To ensure community colleges can continue helping its students get ahead, the budget allocates $6.2 million to SUNY community colleges and $3.1 million to CUNY community colleges for an increase of $50 per full-time equivalent (FTE) student, for a total of $2,747 per FTE student.

The budget also includes $3.1 million for a new scholarship program for part-time students attending SUNY or CUNY community colleges so students with family or other responsibilities can finish school on their own schedules.

The budget restores $1.5 million in funding for SUNY GAP to help provide remediation to community college students. The budget also restores $1.1 million to SUNY child care centers.

Supporting Opportunity Programs

The 2017-18 state budget restores $23.8 million for opportunity programs:

• Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP): $35.5 million, a restoration of $5.9 million;

• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP): $32.2 million, a restoration of $5.3 million;

• Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge program (SEEK): $28.1 million, a restoration of $4.6 million;

• Liberty Partnerships: $18.4 million, a restoration of $3 million;

• Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP): $15.8 million, a restoration of $2.6 million;

• Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP): $11.9 million, a restoration of $1.9 million; and

• College Discovery Program: $1.3 million, a restoration of $225,000.

The recently adopted state budget also includes a generous Maintenance of Effort to assist in meeting the operational needs of SUNY and CUNY.

At the state’s direction, SUNY and CUNY will use this funding to target high-enrollment courses, including general education, to maximize student savings.

IN THE PHOTO:

SUNY Potsdam Student Ambassador Annalise Winkler, a senior from Rodman, leads a tour around campus Saturday during the college's Decision Day Open House. The event provides an opportunity for prospective students, who have already been accepted to SUNY Potsdam, to learn more about the educational opportunities available at the college. (SUNY Potsdam/Jason Hunter Photo)

Assemblywoman Jenne: State budget bringing additional $10 million in state aid to region

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne says the fight to ensure school aid continued to be distributed using the foundation aid formula means an additional $10 million will be allocated to North Country schools in the 2017-18 school year.

"My top priority since being elected to the state Assembly has been fighting to make sure our schools get their fair share of state aid so they have the resources they need to provide North Country students with a quality education," she said.

"This is critical so we have the well trained workforce necessary to support efforts to create new jobs in the region," the assemblywoman added.

The 2017-18 state budget increases education aid by $1 billion to a total of $25.7 billion, a 4.1 percent increase from last year’s budget. Foundation Aid was increased by $700 million for a total of $17.2 billion.

"Most of the school districts in the 116th Assembly District are seeing operating aid increases in the 4.5 to 6 percent range. That's a far cry from the executive budget proposal that would have seen schools in the 116th Assembly District see a $4.5 million decrease in funding for 2017-18 compared to 2016-17.

"For the most part, our school districts fared well, but I will continue fighting for additional assistance for districts with high amounts of tax exempt property and those districts that are classified as average needs due to waterfront property values that don't take into account the high levels of poverty," she noted.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she and her colleagues in the state Assembly fought during the budget process to protect high needs school districts like those in the North Country.

She pointed out the executive budget proposal released in January had included a provision to stall Foundation Aid increases at the current year level.

"We were successful in getting that proposal taken out of the budget we adopted this past weekend," Assemblywoman Jenne said. "Foundation Aid plays a critical role in leveling the playing field in an era when the gap in per-pupil spending between low and high needs school districts has risen to $10,000."

The budget also includes a $50 million increase in Community Schools Aid for a total of $150 million. This funding allows schools to be converted into community schools that deliver valuable services to both students and families, including offering critical support to at-risk children and strengthening neighborhoods.

"We have high levels of poverty in our region, and I recognize there are hurdles outside of the classroom that impact a student's ability to be successful in the classroom and can stand between them and the future they want and deserve,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

“It's hard to focus on your school work when you are hungry or suffering from untreated medical or mental health issues. The community school concept can help connect students and their families with resources that can address those issues," she noted.

The budget also provides:

• $817 million in total funding for prekindergarten programs;

• $35 million for after-school programs;

• $5 million to expand half-day and full-day prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds in high-need school districts;

• $2 million for Advance Placement (AP) Test Assistance; and

• $16.7 million for Early College High School programs, which help at-risk students earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree.

To further strengthen education services, the budget includes:

• $20 million for Teacher Resource and Computer Training Centers – an increase of $5.7 million;

• $1 million to restore funding for adult literacy education, for a total of $7.3 million; and

• $1.2 million for regional community schools technical centers.

Assemblywoman Jenne said she will continue to advocate for public schools in the coming months as special interest groups continue their push to funnel educational funds from high needs districts like those in the North Country to charter schools.

School aid runs for the 2017-18 state budget can be found at this link:
http://nyassembly.gov/2017budget/budget_bills/2017_2018SchoolAidRuns.pdf

IN THE PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne (r) discusses state aid with Heuvelton Central School Superintendent Susan Todd during a visit to the school on Tuesday. 

Assembly Jenne: State budget funds initiatives that will benefit the North Country

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said the 2017-18 state budget passed Saturday by the New York State Assembly will benefit North Country schools and college students, provide necessary funding for clean drinking water projects.

The assemblywoman said the spending plan also opens the door for ride-sharing services in the region, adds dollars for a multi-faceted approach to fight the heroin and opioid abuse epidemic and makes additional dollars available to raise wages for direct care workers taking care of our states most vulnerable residents.

She said the budget also includes the monies necessary to implement a middle class tax cut that was part of last year's budget and extends a millionaire's tax that was set to expire this year.

"It was clear early on this was going to be a challenging budget year. There were a number of areas - from school funding and college affordability to criminal justice reforms - where there were dramatic philosophical differences among the members of the two houses and the governor," she said.

"This budget reflects the compromises that were reached by the governor, the state Assembly and the state Senate. That is what governing is all about," according to the assembly member.

The assemblywoman said the 2017-18 budget also includes funding for programs targeted specifically to the North Country including $300,000 for the second year of the North Country Farm to School Program; $250,000 to the Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries at Clarkson University; and $30,000 to the city of Ogdensburg for its police department and $200,000 for the North Country Farm Academy in Canton.

Assemblywoman Jenne said 16 schools from St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties participated in the first year of the farm to school program bringing fresh, locally grown foods to cafeterias in an effort that benefited both schools and local growers.

She said the funding for Clarkson will be used for the operation of the River and Estuary Observatory Network (REON) and the Sensor Development Laboratory located on the Clarkson University Downtown Campus.

These funds will help support a specialized research infrastructure that is a real-time Environmental Observatory consisting of 30 monitoring stations distributed throughout the Hudson River watershed including the Mohawk River watershed.

The sensor development laboratory will continue to develop sensors, sensor deployment strategies, and robotic systems used to conduct automated data collection and field maintenance processes to meet the primary objective of improving environmental observatory cost performance. This developed technology will be evaluated for general applicability and efficacy through other water sheds as well.

"They are working on cutting edge technology and these funds will allow them to do more in the region and help us understand how best to protect our local waterways," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She noted the $30,000 allocation to the City of Ogdensburg will allow the police department to purchase equipment that supplements funding for the agency in the city budget.

"This funding will be utilized to purchase a new vehicle. We know the city is under financial stress, and we want to make sure they have the resources they need as they battle with a drug use epidemic in the city. It is part of our partnership with the city to help keep the city's streets safe," according to the state assembly member.

She said the funding for the farm academy operated by St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES at the Cooperative Extension Learning Farm in Canton is an important program aimed at growing the next generation of farmers in the North Country.

"Our farmers in this region and state are aging, and succession plans for many of our farms in this state pose serious concerns. The ag academy provides a great opportunity for high school students with a serious interest in careers in the agriculture sector," Assemblywoman Jenne noted.

Public Libraries

She said North Country communities will also benefit from the restoration of $9 million for local libraries to bring funding up to $95.6 million and increased capital funding for libraries by $10 million to hike the allocation to $24 million.

"I have been a long-time advocate for our local libraries. While their role is changing as they respond and adapt to changes in technology, our local libraries remain jewels in our communities. They offer everything from books and educational materials to technology and job search tools to community programs," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"It is important we continue to provide the financial resources these libraries need to remain vital community institutions. We also know many of our libraries in this region date back to the early 20th and late 19th centuries, and those capital project dollars are critical for the future of those buildings," she noted.

Middle Class Tax Cuts

The budget implements previously approved middle-class income tax cuts. It also enhances the Child and Dependent Care Credit for taxpayers earning between $50,000 and $150,000.

The credit is based on a sliding income scale for working parents who pay for child care or those who live with a spouse or dependent who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care.

Heroin Epidemic

Despite increased media attention and legislative action, the heroin and opioid epidemic continues to rage in communities across New York State. Between 2010 and 2014, the number of heroin- and opioid-related deaths increased by 47 percent.

"Unfortunately, the North Country is seeing this epidemic in our neighborhoods on a nearly daily basis, and too many lives in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties and around the country have already been lost or destroyed as a result of this epidemic. It is not a battle that can be won overnight, but we know we need to have resources available to assist those seeking to turn their lives around. We want to make sure to set the stage for more success stories and less obituaries," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The 2017-18 state budget increases funding by $43 million over last year – for a total of $213 million – to fight the heroin epidemic and increase access to treatment for New Yorkers struggling with a substance abuse disorder.

This funding supports a variety of treatment and prevention programs, including family support navigators, peer supports, recovery clubhouses and community coalitions and $10 million in additional capital support to increase the number of beds in in-patient treatment facilities.

Protecting Affordable Care

The final budget restores funding for Medicaid and other public health programs and addresses rising drug and health insurance costs so that more New Yorkers have access to the health care they need.

'We know when we make an investment in public health it makes New York stronger. I want to make sure local families have access to affordable health care. I will also continue to advocate for universal health care in this state," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The budget restores $78.8 million in proposed reductions to Medicaid and restores $37.6 million to public health programs.

The measures:

• Restore $20.2 million to existing prescriber prevails provisions, which ensure patients and their doctors have the final say in choosing medication in managed care and fee-for-service plans;

• Allocate $14.6 million to restore the Essential Plan and reject proposed co-payment and premium increases;

• Provide $6.3 million to reject the executive proposal to limit coverage for over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and increase OTC co-payments; and

• Provide Medicaid coverage for donor breast milk for hospitalized, high-risk preterm infants who can’t receive breast milk from their mothers.

Further, the budget restores $10 million in cuts to emergency rooms across New York State. It also provides $10 million to support safety-net hospitals, which care for low-income and uninsured patients, $10 million for critical access hospitals, which provide services in rural communities, and $20 million for mental health facilities.

“I meet with hospital officials from around the region on a regular basis. I know many of our hospitals in the North Country have a high percentage of Medicaid patients and the challenges that puts on their efforts to remain financially viable," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"I joined my colleagues in the state Assembly to fight to ensure the hospitals that provide care to the most at-risk residents of our state can continue serving their communities,” she stressed.

The state budget also provides funding for a variety of public health priorities, including:

• $1 million for Community Health Advocates, which helps New Yorkers understand their health insurance and access the health care services they need;

• Over $1 million for HIV/AIDS Community Service Programs (CSPs) and Multi Service Agencies (MSA);

• $750,000 for Family Planning Services; and

• $500,000 for New Alternatives for Children.

Additionally, the final budget provides $150 million for a life sciences laboratory public health initiative to help construct new laboratory facilities or update existing ones to support life science research and innovation. It earmarks $20 million for bioscience and neuroscience programs.

Supporting Seniors

The 2017-18 state budget provides $13.5 million to support long-term care, including restoring $10 million to preserve spousal refusal, ensuring couples do not lose their life savings in the event a spouse becomes ill and needs nursing home care.

“A spouse who has to face the already devastating experience of moving a loved one out of their home and into a long-term care facility shouldn’t also have to give up their financial security,” Assemblywoman Jenne said. “This program helps them keep their hard-earned savings to live on.”

Additionally, the budget includes:

• $2.7 million to prevent limiting Managed Long Term Care eligibility to only those eligible for nursing homes; and

• $750,000 to restore nursing home bed hold payments for therapeutic leave.

• To protect seniors’ hard-earned and well-deserved property tax relief, the budget rejects the executive proposal to change the Enhanced STAR program by requiring all seniors eligible for the Enhanced STAR program to register with the state and participate in the Income Verification Program. Currently, though, seniors are able to register with their local assessor or register when they file their income tax returns – a process that is far easier and causes fewer headaches.

Further, the budget extends consumer protections, including access to a pre-foreclosure settlement conference, to homeowners with reverse mortgages to help more New Yorkers stay in their homes and protect their investments.

Affordable Housing

The state budget releases the long-awaited and hard-fought $2.5 billion to combat homelessness across the state and fund programs for the creation and preservation of affordable housing.

The budget provides $2.5 billion for affordable housing and anti-homelessness initiatives, much of which was appropriated last year but could only be released once a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was agreed to. The budget releases this money and provides:

• $1 billion for supportive housing to construct 6,000 or more units statewide, including $50 million in operating aid;

• $150 million for the Middle-Income Housing Program;

• $125 million for public housing authorities outside New York City;

• $125 million for senior housing;

• $45 million for the Rural and Urban Community Investment Fund Program;

• $41 million for home ownership programs;

• $13 million for the Manufactured Homes Program; and

• $10 million for the Main Street Program, which helps fund preservation efforts in historic neighborhoods.

Being Fair to Direct Care

Low wages have left direct care workers struggling to get by and care for their own families, forcing them to leave the field, creating a staffing crisis.

After the executive budget was released without any funding for a direct care worker wage increase, the Assembly fought to ensure that the final state budget dedicated $14 million in 2017-18 and $146 million in 2018-19 to fund a two-year, living wage initiative for direct care workers with the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, the Office of Mental Health and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

Direct care workers and direct support staff will receive a 3.25 percent raise on Jan. 1, 2018. Additionally, direct care workers, direct support staff and clinical staff will receive a 3.25 percent increase on April 1, 2018.

“This has been a fight I have supported from day one. Our direct care workers due important work and deserve a fair wage for the work they do to help our most vulnerable succeed and allow them to lead better lives every day,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"I know the relationships formed between direct care workers, their clients and the clients' families are a benefit to all. It simply was not right that our direct care workers who give so much of themselves every day were being forced to work second and third jobs simply to survive," she added.

Human Service Programs

In addition, the budget funds several mental health programs, including:

• 10 million in capital support for children’s behavioral health;

• $1.3 million to reject jail-based competency restoration, which would allow a defendant to be restored to mental competence in a jail facility rather than a hospital; and

• $1 million restoration for crisis intervention teams.

The budget also provides $20 million for nonprofit infrastructure improvements to help human services organizations make capital repairs to facilities and update technology.

Raising The Age

The budget includes a measure to ensure young people who encounter New York’s criminal justice system are treated fairly and given a better chance to turn their lives around. Raise the Age raises the age of criminal responsibility in New York from 16 to 18 years old.

Assemblywoman Jenne said raising the age for teenagers is not about letting them off the hook for the crimes they commit, but acknowledging that many teens make mistakes, not because they are bad people but because they are teenagers and they often can’t fully appreciate the consequences of their actions,

The new law means New York will no longer be one of only two states in the country to prosecute 16- and 17-year-old defendants in nonviolent cases as adults in Criminal Court.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2018, the new law prohibits imprisoning young people under the age of 17 in county jails.

Beginning Oct. 1, 2019, this applies to young people under the age of 18. When pretrial detention is necessary, they will be held in local youth detention facilities certified by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

Young people age 16 or 17 charged and convicted as adults for serious crimes and sentenced to incarceration will be held in a youth-only facility operated by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) with special programming and services provided by OCFS. The new state budget provides $4.6 million in funding for local detention centers statewide to fund necessary upgrades.

Assemblywoman Jenne: State budget includes more funding for farm to school program

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne says the 2017-18 state budget includes $300,000 in funding for a second year of a pilot farm to school program in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties.

"The first year of the farm to school pilot program showed great benefits for our farmers and growers as well as our students gaining access to fresh, locally grown foods in their school cafeterias," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"A lot of time and effort was spent in year one setting a framework in place to connect our farmers and growers with local school districts. There was a learning curve and important connections were made. We should now be able to build on the successes we saw in the first year of this program and continue to build on that work in year two," she added.

The pilot is being administered by the Adirondack North Country Association. A recent report from ANCA noted 16 schools in Jefferson and St. Lawrence County had spent just over $75,000 from the pilot program funds by Dec, 31, 2016.

The schools participating in Drive for 25 pilot program spent $57,811.93 on foods grown in the region and state. These districts spent an additional $18,060.47 in the local economy on local food related expenses.

Local food purchases were made by 94 percent of school participants through three distributors, and 75 percent of the schools also purchased directly from 15 farmers.

Indoor grow racks have been purchased by 19 percent of the schools participating in the program. Assemblywoman Jenne said those grow racks have fueled increased student interest in the growing process and created excitement about the access to local grown on the school grounds.

She said the $300,000 for the pilot program is part of over a $1 million included in the budget for farm to school initiatives around the state that will help schools purchase more food from local farmers and expand access to healthy local food for students.

Assemblywoman Jenne, a member of the state Assembly's Agriculture Committee and chair of the state Assembly's Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy, said she will continue to advocate for additional funding in future state budgets so the program can expand into other areas of the North Country.

She said the final budget passed by the state Assembly restored and increased funding for a number of agriculture-related programs that are important to farmers in the North Country and around the state.
They include:

• Nearly $9.3 million for Ag Child Care, an increase of $1 million;

• $5.4 million for the Cornell Diagnostics Lab, an increase of $1 million;

• $1.9 million for the Farm Viability Institute, an increase of $1.5 million;

• Over $1 million for the Wine and Grape Foundation, an increase of $307,000;

 • $750,000 for the New York State Apple Growers Association, an increase of $544,000 over the governor’s budget;

• $800,000 for the FarmNet program to help family farms transition to a new generation, an increase of $416,000 over the governor’s budget;

• $610,000 for the Cornell Rabies program, a $560,000 increase over the governor’s budget;

• $500,000 for local fairs, an increase of $160,000;

• $250,000 for Tractor Rollover Protection;

• $215,000 for Maple Producers; and

• $115,000 for Cornell Veterans to Farms.

The final budget adopted by the state Assembly also restores $5 million for capital improvements to local fairgrounds; establishes a $5 million capital fund to assist animal shelters, many of which are overcrowded, dependent on volunteers and struggling financially; lifts the cap on the number of state-approved hemp farms in the state, allowing this emerging industry to grow to its full potential; and provides a 25 percent tax credit on qualified food donations that farms make to food banks, up to $5,000 per year.

Assemblywoman Jenne said it was critical for the assembly and senate to work to restore that funding since the executive budget had chopped funding for the North Country Farm to School program, $200,000 from the North Country Agriculture Studies Academy offered through St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES, $25,000 from the North Country Low Cost Rabies Vaccine Program and reduced funding for the NY Farm Viability Institute from $1.9M to $400K and the Maple Producers Association from $215,000 to $0.

"We worked with our partners in the state Senate during the budget process to have funding for these valuable programs restored in the final state budget. It is important we continue to provide our agriculture industry in this state with the resources they need to face the challenges facing our farmers and to diversify their operations," she noted.

"The programs that we have restored funding to do valuable work in generating important research to help our farmers fight bugs and invasives that attack their crops and do work that assists our farmers diversify their field crops and improve the health of their livestock," the assemblywoman pointed out.

She said she will continue to fight to have increased funding directed to agriculture in the coming months and advocate for the state to establish a quality premium payment for farmers linked to reductions over a three-year period in somatic cell counts in fluid milk. She said the payments would drive the state's farmers to reach for the highest global quality standards and provide incentives when milk prices are low.

"The state can also play an important role in ramping up our effort to expand the value-added agricultural processing sector. I also hope we can work within the framework of our existing economic development programs to support our agricultural sector on a regional basis," Assemblywoman Jenne added.