Assemblywoman Jenne co-sponsors net neutrality bill

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, (D-Theresa), joined several of her colleagues in the state Assembly last week to show their support for legislation (A8882) that would require companies doing business with the state to follow net neutrality rules.

The legislation, sponsored by Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, (D-Albany), was introduced in December shortly after a decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to repeal regulations that required internet service providers (ISPs) to treat websites equally. Assemblywoman Jenne immediately signed on as a co-sponsor of the legislation.

"Cutting off the ability to do business with the state, I think, is appropriate given the state has funded a lot of the infrastructure that brings the internet to so many people that live in the North Country, particularly our businesses," Assemblywoman Jenne said to a crowd that included representatives from schools, libraries and small businesses.

"A lot of our traditional businesses, like the agriculture industry and the tourism sector, are becoming more and more reliant on technology as well as our many, many, many small businesses that run in the North Country," she added.

"We will have built a bridge to nowhere if we allow companies to essentially censor the content we have access to and prevent the voices and competitiveness of our businesses and entrepreneurs across the state," the assemblywoman said.

"It's the basic foundational principles of fairness and even play, which our country was founded on. Net neutrality, I believe, is a must if we are going to adhere to our long-held founding beliefs," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

She said she was pleased Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order directing state entities not to enter into any contracts for internet service unless the internet service providers ISPs agree to follow net neutrality principles.

Assemblywoman Jenne praised Assemblymember Fahy for being a leader on the issue and noted, despite the governor’s action, legislation is necessary to codify the executive order into state law.

She said Congress also needs to take steps to address the inequities that could result from the FCC decision.

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne says net neutrality is important to growing business in the North Country. She joined several of her colleagues to call for the state to pass legislation aimed at addressing recent action taken by the Federal Communications Commission. Pictured are (l-r); Assemblymember Didi Barrett, Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, Assemblywoman Jenne and State Senator David Carlucci.

BOTTOM PHOTO:

Assemblymember Patricia Fahy discusses a net neutrality bill she has introduced in the New York State Assembly.

Assemblywoman Jenne: $1 million state grant opportunity to provide tools to move people out of poverty

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, praised a community forum last week at Jefferson Community College that helped open lines of communication between schools and community-based organizations that work with those living in poverty.

The forum was part of the city of Watertown's anti-poverty initiative. The city was awarded $1 million in Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative funding in the 2016-17 state budget. The grant is being administered by United Way of Northern New York (NNY).

United Way of NNY Chief Executive Officer Robert D. Gorman said Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo had proposed funding 12 cities around the state with $1 million anti-poverty initiative grants in his executive budget proposal last year.

"Watertown was not on that list of 12 cities," he said, noting Assemblywoman Jenne immediately saw the omission and worked during the budget negotiation process to get funding for the North Country. "At the end of the day, Addie got the city of Watertown added to the list."

Assemblywoman Jenne, who was the forum’s keynote speaker, said the goal of the funding was to provide tools to help individuals raise themselves out of poverty and gain long-term economic stability.

"While this grant went to the city of Watertown, this initiative is not just about the city. Our approach to these types of issues in the North Country is regional. My hope is the work the city does through this grant process will have a much larger footprint."

The poverty rate in Jefferson County is 15 percent, with 28 percent of children under 18 years of age living in poverty. The numbers are even higher in St. Lawrence County, with a 19 percent poverty rate and 27 percent of children under 18 years of age living in poverty.

"This Call to Action community forum brought together educators from a number of schools in Jefferson and Lewis counties and representatives from a host of community organizations serving the tri-county region in the North Country," Assemblywoman Jenne pointed out.

The forum was facilitated by the Institute for Learning Centered Education.

Don Mesibov, the Canton-based institute's director, said students raised in concentrated poverty face a unique set of challenges, often associated with trauma, which many schools are not prepared to address effectively.

He said his program's poverty and trauma initiative is aimed at assisting educators in developing the tools and strategies they need to help students succeed in academic, social and personal settings.

Mr. Mesibov noted Assemblywoman Jenne had secured $20,000 in state funding, allowing the program to launch the poverty initiative.

"Addie got us a legislative grant that helped us start working with 35 schools in the North Country and Fairport," he noted.

He said bringing together educators and agencies to work with individuals living in poverty was an important step in addressing the challenges facing the region.

"There are common denominators as we work to reach people. We have a lot more power in this room than you realize," he said to the approximately 70 participants at the forum.

The state's anti-poverty initiative is aimed at making targeted investments in capital projects to improve the quality, efficiency and reach of services that address poverty, including job training, public safety, and health and nutrition programs.

The initiative also seeks to better align public and private resources with community-based interventions that are successful in improving outcomes for residents and build partnerships among public and private, municipal and nonprofit organizations to provide a variety of solutions.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the North Country's poverty rate is higher than the state and national averages. She noted that she continues to fight for funding and programs to grow the workforce and help to reduce the number of families living in poverty.

"At first glance, it might not seem like the farm-to-school program, funding food pantries, gaining equitable funding for our schools, implementing community school programs, increasing the minimum wage and this $1 million grant to the city of Watertown are related," she said.

"But it is a holistic approach to improve the North Country and help lift people out of poverty. We know education is an important part of that process and providing schools with the tools they need to reach students with the greatest needs is critically important," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"We also know students faced with empty cupboards at home and coming to school hungry are going to find it hard to focus on their schoolwork. We know that students dealing with traumatic events at home are going to find it hard to focus on their academics when they come to school. Programs like these give schools and community organizations better tools to meet those students' needs," she added.

The city has submitted a proposal to the state that calls for the funding to be used for mentorship programs, providing vehicles to the working poor with transportation needs, refurbishing six to eight homes for working poor families and working with employers on strategies to retain employees that come to the workforce from lives of poverty.

"We know there are barriers that can make it difficult for individuals to get out of poverty, and these programs are aimed at helping individuals and families overcome some of those challenges," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

The community forum was sponsored by the United Way of Northern New York, Jefferson-Lewis BOCES, Jefferson-Lewis Teacher Center, Watertown City School District and the North Country Regional Office of the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).

IN THE PHOTOS:

TOP PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne visits with Robert D. Gorman, chief executive officer of United Way of NNY, at "Call to Action, A Community Forum on Poverty/Trauma held at Jefferson Community College. The event was sponsored by Jefferson-Lewis BOCES, Jeff-Lewis Teacher Center, Watertown Central School District, the North Country Office of NYSUT and the Institute for Learning Centered Education.

BOTTOM PHOTO:

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, standing, checks in with Beverly Ouderkirk of Morristown,  a member of the New York State Board of Regents, at a community forum on Friday at Jefferson Community College, The event attracted 80 individuals from several school districts in Jefferson County and a number of community organizations ranging from the North Country Prenatal/Perinatal Council and the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization to Watertown Urban Mission and the Community Action Planning Council.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne talks with Don Mesibov, director of the Institute for Learning Centered Education, at Friday's community forum on poverty at Jefferson Community College. The event drew representatives from a number of non-profit organizations as well as the Watertown, Indian River, Thousand Islands, Beaver River, South Lewis, South Jefferson and Lowville Academy school districts. Officials from Jefferson-Lewis BOCES and SUNY Canton were also on hand for the forum.

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, standing, checks in with Beverly Ouderkirk of Morristown,  a member of the New York State Board of Regents, at a community forum on Friday at Jefferson Community College,

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne chats with Robert D. Gorman, chief executive officer of United Way of NNY, and Antwerp Primary School Principal Elixabeth Culbertson at "Call to Action, A Community Forum on Poverty/Trauma held at Jefferson Community College.

Don Mesiboc, director of the Institute for Learning Centered Education, talks with Marlene Pickering and Lawrence Bohler about their experiences growing up in poverty

Assemblywoman Jenne impressed by enthusiasm at women's marches in Canton, Watertown

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne said she was encouraged by the enthusiasm, engagement and willingness to stand up for policy issues of importance she saw at rallies and womens' marches this past weekend in Canton and Watertown.

"It’s amazing to see so many people come out this morning for this call to action. We are trying to address social inequities, social justice," Assemblywoman Jenne said as she addressed a crowd of just under 200 people at a pre-march rally at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Canton.

"We are not going away. We’re never going to give up. We will not be shushed, shushed,” she said.

Assemblywoman Jenne said the crowds attending the two rallies were drawn by a variety of issues ranging from federal policy actions on health care, and education, cuts targeting children and environmental protections as well as the current state of public discourse on race and sexual assaults and sexual harassment.

"At the end of the day what we are talking about today is social justice. We are trying to address social inequities and support the time honored ideals our country was founded on," she said.

Elizabeth Bollt, who organized the Canton march, said the theme of this year's event was "Power to the Polls."

Ms. Bollt said a voter registration table was set up at the event, and she stressed volunteers would be canvassing and working to get out the vote in November.

Assemblywoman Jenne said local residents have their voices heard when they go to the polls on Election Day.

“It is in communities like this in the North Country, where we know how to strike the balance; communities where we respect and value each other," she said.

"It’s places like this one that support young women running for office that have crazy ideas, like the importance of providing our citizens with quality health care and equitable funding for our schools, raising the minimum wage and expanding family paid leave to allow moms to stay home longer with their babies,” Assemblywoman Jenne added.

She said she will continue to advocate to allow women to continue to make their own health care decisions.

"We wake up and find a women's right to choose is in the crosshairs again. We've got to work together so we are able to make our own health care decisions that will determine our futures," according to the assemblywoman.

Assemblywoman Jenne, speaking at the rally in Watertown, said the #MeToo movement is a sign that women are demanding changes in the workplace and will no longer remain silent about sexual harassment and sexual assaults.

"We have had a flurry of women speak out very courageously about the pain that they have suffered - pain that has been long and systemic," she said.

"We have institutional inequities. It is extremely important as we get our legs underneath us as a movement that we not just be satisfied that a couple of rich white men have lost their careers or had their careers knocked off track," the assemblywoman stressed.

"We have to make sure that we turn these high profile incidents into real justice for working women - store clerks, clerical workers on our college campuses ... - and people who have been discriminated against and oppressed for years and years, generation after generation," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"We need to get long-term policies in place to protect all those who have been abused or harassed including those suffering at the lower end of the economic scale so they know they will have justice so they will be able to live their lives with dignity," she noted.

The assemblywoman said she was also impressed to look out at the crowd at both rallies and see the faces of so many men.

"This movement is as much about men as it is about women. The things that move me have as much to do about the men in my life - my son, my father, my brother, my nephews, the men in my life that I love, the men in our community we love that we send off to war to protect the ideals we are here fighting for today," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"It's all about respect, self-determination and justice," the assemblywoman reiterated. It's about our democracy.

"I'm very happy to see so many men here today - men that are leaders, men that are also willing to stand with us and speak up," she said, thanking the men in attendance at the Watertown event.

Assemblywoman Jenne co-sponsors bill to improve availability of voter information

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, announced a bill (A.1057) she co-sponsored to improve communication between state and county boards of election and voters has passed the state Assembly.

The legislation, sponsored by Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, D-Ossining, allows voters to include an e-mail address on their voter registration application and record.

The change would allow the state Board of Elections to send notices and other communications electronically, in addition to by traditional mail.

"We know a minority of registered voters cast ballots in most elections and improving communication with voters is one way of working to improve turnout," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"This legislation reflects the reality that more and more North Country residents are using e-mail as their primary method of communication. While there could be an initial cost to implement the new system, it’s clear this will likely result in long-term savings as voters down the road opt to receive notices solely by e-mail," she added.

Assemblywoman Jenne helps pass legislation providing heat to residents during emergencies

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, announced she helped pass legislation that ensures residents have access to propane to heat their homes in emergency situations (A.8940-A).

The bill allows propane customers who lease their tanks to choose from multiple suppliers to refill their tanks during emergencies.

"This is really a no brainer. It's something near and dear to my heart," Assemblywoman Jenne said on the state Assembly floor.

“The community I grew up in (Philadelphia,) had the coldest temperature in the state and country a few days ago, and our area has experienced some of the coldest temperatures in the country in the past few weeks," she said.

“'It’s critical that residents have access to propane so that their homes are heated and their families stay safe from this frigid weather,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

“This bill ensures propane customers whose regular supplier cannot be reached or is unable to make a delivery can get fuel from a different supplier without having to worry about a breach of contract,” she added.

The bill will allow homeowners leasing tanks from a particular company to choose from the variety of other suppliers for emergency deliveries during times of urgent need and periods of high demand.

Under the bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, a propane supplier who doesn’t own the tank may fill, refill or otherwise deliver propane into that tank provided it has been inspected and certified, when:

• a consumer has acted in good faith under an existing contract to procure the propane delivery from the owner of the propane cylinder but has not received propane in a reasonable time; or

• a federal, state or local state of emergency has been declared or severe weather or other circumstances may place the residents at risk of death or injury or building structures or fixtures t risk of damage.

Additionally, the legislation forbids the propane supplier from charging any additional fees or penalties for filling the tank and prohibits the companies that own tanks from charging a penalty.

Propane suppliers typically own all of the equipment, including the tanks and regulators, and simply lease the tanks to the homeowners as a cost savings. But the contract stipulates the owner of the equipment is the only provider allowed to refill those tanks.

Assemblywoman Jenne said consumers are left at the mercy of their provider and can face serious issues at their home if they run out of their heating source on days when temperatures have plunged well below freezing.

She pointed out wind chill temperatures in the North Country have sunk to lower than 20 below zero several days this winter.

"I've had frozen pipes in my home this winter and had to replace plumbing. When the temperatures are well below freezing and you run out of propane, you need to remedy the situation quickly so your home is not damaged," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

Assemblywoman Jenne noted there are few options for self-help when you run out of propane and the legislation is not meant to punish propane suppliers. She said extreme weather conditions impact businesses as well, and there are times when propane suppliers simply don't have the drivers or trucks necessary to meet demand.

"This legislation could actually benefit propane suppliers. It would mitigate damages they could face for failing to make on-time deliveries to their customers," she said.

Forcing consumers to wait for the fuel company they’re under contract with to come and refill the tank could put residents in danger if the company doesn’t deliver in a timely fashion. Allowing residents to contact other fuel companies in emergency situations is beneficial to everyone involved, Assemblywoman Jenne noted.

Assemblywoman Jenne introduces legislation to protect residents from unnecessary fees for on-line DMV transactions

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne introduced legislation that would outlaw the licensing of certain predatory third-party vendors from selling access to vehicle registration services already performed at no additional cost by the state Department of Motor Vehicles (A.9017).

The bill would prevent businesses not engaged in vehicle sales from charging residents for directions on how to register your vehicle, a service already provided by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Assemblywoman Jenne introduced the legislation after a complaint was filed with her office from a Watertown-area constituent.

“I was shocked to learn about these deceptive business practices and I knew that I needed to do something to safeguard our residents,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

“Today, there’s an even greater need for strong consumer protections to ensure that New Yorkers aren’t preyed upon by misleading and downright dishonest businesses, whether those businesses are brick-and-mortar stores or online entities,” she added.

"I was disheartened by our findings when we looked into the concerns raised by our constituent. We should not be supporting any programs that allow third-party vendors to profit at the expense of those conducting business with state agencies like the Department of Motor Vehicles. The state should in no way be endorsing those third-party vendors from charging constituents a fee for services that are available for free," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

She said it’s often hard for consumers to determine the legitimacy of online services at a glance.

Websites including www.dmv-services.com or www.on-lineregistration.us appear to be portals to official Department of Motor Vehicles webpages, but, despite the mandatory yet hard to find disclaimer, many people are fooled into paying an unnecessary “finder’s” fee.

For example, the “On-Line Registration” webpage has a banner across the top that reads “New York Motor Vehicles Service Bureau.” The site charges a $45 to $75 “Online Service Bureau” fee for registration renewals (based on “processing time”).

Using an official looking moniker, this website and others like it simultaneously rip off New York State residents and tarnish the image of the Department of Motor Vehicles, according to the assemblywoman.

"It’s clear these websites provide no essential service to New York State residents. Using shady tactics and clever search engine optimization, they often target consumers who are unfamiliar with internet etiquette or are in a hurry to finalize their paperwork," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"There is no reason for businesses like these, which exist only to take money out of the pockets of hard-working state residents attempting to comply with the law, to be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles," she stressed.

Assemblywoman Jenne is also sponsoring legislation (A1445) to increase the amount of revenue retained by county governments through local Department of Motor Vehicle offices and Department of Motor Vehicles' websites.

She noted county governments are still being asked to support their local Department of Motor Vehicle offices financially even as the revenue stream changes.

In order to eliminate what is becoming an increasingly unfunded mandate, counties should receive the same revenue from online transactions that originate from within their borders as they would from in-person transactions, Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She said the legislation calls for an increase in the local share of gross receipts from 12.7 percent to 15 percent, including online transactions, so that local offices are able to fully cover their costs.

"This legislation recognizes the increased costs our counties are facing for the operation of local Department of Motor Vehicles offices,” Assemblywoman Jenne said.

Assemblywoman Jenne introduces bill to protect Fort Drum training operations from wind farm development

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne, D-Theresa, has introduced legislation that would prohibit the state from granting subsidies to wind energy projects that could impact the military's training needs at Fort Drum.

“'The legislation that was finalized on Friday comes after of months of research on an issue that is critically important to Fort Drum's long-term viability." the assemblywoman said.

"It is the product of several briefings I've had at Fort Drum, with several military officials responsible for different aspects of training and operation. I've also discussed the issue with state and local officials, including representatives from the Development Authority of the North Country," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

She pointed out that her position is a result of being a North Country resident who has called the area surrounding Fort Drum home her entire life.

Assemblywoman Jenne said her position also reflects the knowledge that comes from serving on the state Assembly's Energy Committee since first being elected to the state Legislature.

The legislation calls for the state to not provide subsidies for the construction or operation of wind operations within 10 miles of the Wheeler Sack Army Airfield at Fort Drum, 10 miles of the Doppler radar weather station on Tug Hill, 5 miles of the airspace controlled by the Fort Drum air traffic control tower and 5 miles of the area currently used for live fire drills.

State funding for wind projects would also be temporarily be prohibited in an area currently used for low-level flight training.

The triangle would run northeast from Fort Drum north along Route 11 to Route 56, southeast on Route 56 along the border of the Adirondack State Park back to Route 3 and then west back to Fort Drum.

Assemblywoman Jenne, a long-time proponent of renewable energy, said approximately 10 new wind farms have been proposed or are under construction around Fort Drum and their impact on training operations, which translates to troop readiness and future mission readiness, cannot be ignored.

"I continue to have grave concerns that the installation could be negatively impacted if neighboring wind turbine projects hamper its ability to operate efficiently and effectively," she stressed.

"We currently allocate state funding to protect Fort Drum from encroachment. This legislation offers a balanced approach to level the playing field and place our national security interests over one form of alternative energy," according to the assemblywoman.

"It provides a fix to the inconsistent practice of our state government paying property owners to limit development around Fort Drum while at the same time offering subsidies to wind energy developers to do just that," Assemblywoman Jenne added.

"It doesn't make a whole lot of sense to be using state dollars to offer subsidies to wind energy developers that are working on projects that could have a negative impact on Fort Drum's training needs. We are using state funds to both build and to prevent wind farms. It's crazy," she said.

"This legislation is aimed at providing certainty for training and operations capability in the short term and gives energy developers time to step back and review potential steps that could be taken to mitigate the negative impact the wind turbines have on the weather station and on the safety of military personnel using the airspace around Fort Drum," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"The North Country is a major producer of alternative energy in New York State, and it is already going to be a few years before improvements are made to our transmission facilities so we can effectively and efficiently move the power generated at these potential projects and other proposed energy developments throughout the state," she said.

"It is my belief that this legislation would give Fort Drum officials the time and space they need to fully determine proposed projects that are compatible with their training needs," Assemblywoman Jenne pointed out.

This legislation is attached to funding to ensure more leverage is given to the military training readiness needs of our soldiers training at the fort," she added.

"The state's Public Service Commission created a new financial incentive program that has essentially ignited a gold rush of wind development. The North Country has ideal wind patterns, so we're experiencing the brunt of the development rush. I'm very concerned about the potential impact of just under a dozen new wind farms currently in various stages of the regulatory process ringing Fort Drum and Montague," Assemblywoman Jenne stressed.

"This legislation is necessary because the process for siting wind developments at the state level doesn’t take into consideration other major competing interests that should have a higher priority over wind power generation. This legislation would place the current needs of Fort Drum on equal footing with those of wind developers," the assemblywoman said.

Fort Drum, home of the United States Army's 10th Mountain Division, is the preeminent military installation in the Northeast, providing unparalleled training opportunities and community engagement.

The installation includes troop quarters, the Wheeler­Sack Army Airfield, and the 78,000-acre training area utilized by the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and National Guard. Taking advantage of its relatively remote location, troops stationed at Fort Drum have access to a wide variety of terrains, including urban combat simulations, vehicle maneuver training, live and simulated weapons firing, aerial gunnery and bombing, and team situational training exercises in a four-season climate.

As part of the installation’s mission readiness, radar is relied upon to predict weather patterns and provide real-time conditions, direct flights and simulate air-­to­-air combat scenarios, which reflect increasingly possible missions in a global environment.

Maintaining the integrity of the installation’s radar assets is of critical importance, and this legislation would help ensure large-scale wind energy developments don’t impede training operations.

With two currently operational wind energy developments inside the installation’s radar viewshed, - a radar tower at the Wheeler ­Sack Army Airfield - and the Doppler radar tower in Montague, and eight permitted or proposed developments in progress, it is it’s clear that current siting regulations and processes at the state and federal level are not providing a sufficient buffer around the installation and radar facilities. In particular, the impact of several proposed wind projects will significantly degrade the data from the Doppler radar facility.

With a 15-year sunset provision, the legislation would enable the military to count on the installation's viability to provide quality training to soldiers that can be rapidly deployed as national security needs dictate and allow time for technological leaps and investments that could allow for co-­location of energy developments around Fort Drum in the future.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Bill offers protections to those with developmental disabilities

Assemblywoman Addie A. E. Jenne, D-Theresa, announced legislation she co-sponsored to provide identification cards for individuals with developmental disabilities in an effort to assist in their interactions with first responders passed the New York State Assembly Tuesday.

"This is a bill that is beneficial to both first responders and individuals with developmental disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum," she Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"The ID card would be a valuable tool and similar to the positive impact Medic Alert bracelets play in an emergency. Many people with developmental disabilities have communication challenges, and they can be exacerbated in an emergency or other stressful situations," she said.

She said the identification card could benefit police officers and rescue personnel as they are assessing situations when they respond to calls.

"I think it would be beneficial to have standardized identification cards for those that might have challenges during their interactions with first responders, including those that have suffered strokes, suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other medical issues that could impact their ability to communicate," Assemblywoman Jenne said.

"Our police officers, emergency medical technicians and firefighters are often forced to make critical decisions in very short periods of time. Having more information at their disposal can only improve the decision-making process," according to the assemblywoman.

"It's legislation that benefits individuals with developmental disabilities and their families as well as our first responders. I'm hopeful our colleagues in the state Senate will join us in supporting this important legislation," she added.

Similar legislation was passed in the New York State Assembly last year, but the bill failed to move out of committee in the state Senate.

Assemblywoman Jenne: Governor proposes farm to school expansion, equitable public school funding and relief from new federal tax code

Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne issued this statement following Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's State of the State address:

Governor Cuomo outlined several initiatives in his State of the State address that could help families and businesses here in the North Country. I'm eager to see the details of these programs when the governor unveils his budget later this month.

But I was pleased to hear him pledge to make sure our public schools are fairly funded. There are ways to adjust the funding formula to help schools in the North Country more, and I have made leveling that playing field a priority during my time in state government.

I'm also pleased to see the governor supporting a plan to increase meal reimbursement rates to our school cafeterias. The Drive to 25 proposal would help make locally sourced food more accessible in our schools.

I’ve been at the forefront of creating and expanding the state’s Farm to School program by increasing funding for local school lunch programs. Our kids deserve a consistent source of healthy food and our farmers are looking for more chances to grow their business. Our two-year pilot program in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties has shown it is a win for students and a win for local farmers and producers when our schools have the funding needed to purchase local products. It's a model that needs to be rolled out statewide.

It’s also heartening to see the governor tackling hunger and the lack of fresh local food among New York students, from kindergarten to college, with his proposed No Student Goes Hungry Program. The expansion of the Farm to School Program is included in this agenda. The governor is proposing to double state investment in the program from $750,000 to $1.5 million, which he estimates would help 328,000 additional students if approved. Additionally, the governor has proposed requiring food pantries on all SUNY and CUNY campuses, further combating food insecurity.

Every child deserves a quality education that gives them the tools they need to succeed, no matter where they live or their background. In the North Country, our students and schools have struggled to get all the resources needed to excel. Over the next few months, I will work with my colleagues to make sure that more funding is directed to these districts to help level the playing field for our kids.

I'm also pleased with the governor's call for taking steps to mitigate the impact of the new federal tax code on New Yorkers.

For far too long, New Yorkers have been paying a heavy tax burden, including heavily subsidizing the federal government. While we’ve worked to provide much-needed relief to address our state's tax burden, including a middle class tax cut at the state level, the federal government’s cap on state and local tax deductions could cost New Yorkers up to $14 billion per year, potentially driving businesses out of our state and hurting the ones that stick it out."