Assemblywoman Russell Statement on the Impending Storm

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, (D-Theresa) has issued the following statement on the impending storm:

“This is a serious situation. The weather is worsening every hour. The time for action is now. Residents across the North Country should be ready for high winds and excessive rain, which will likely cause downed trees, flooding and power outages for prolonged periods of time.  I urge everyone to act now – secure loose items and lawn furniture, and have supplies for staying in your home for several days if necessary.  People should have a radio, flashlights, batteries, and several gallons of water.  If the power does go out, try not to open your freezer.  That will preserve frozen food for at least 24 hours.  And please, check on your neighbor, especially the elderly, to make sure they are safe.  Also be cautious when using heating sources – make sure they are okay to use indoors. Stay away from downed wires.

“For up to date information, stay tuned to news sources, or you can go to www.nyalert.gov, or www.redcross.org for information on the latest situation in your area, or where emergency shelters are open.  If your power does go out, information will be available on the radio. 

“Again, this storm is unprecedented in magnitude and I ask everyone to be prepared and careful.”

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North Country Department Store: Buying local helps grow our economy!

The second annual “North Country Department Store” is Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Indian River Central School District’s Middle School, just off US Route 11 in Philadelphia.  As a part of my “Rediscovering Your Backyard” initiative, local business owners – artisans, farmers, food producers, antique dealers, shop owners and related organizations have been invited to create a department store filled with local products – just in time for the holiday shopping season. The event will benefit two local groups, Indian River Central School FFA and Noah’s Ark Pre-school, Redwood. Booth fees and door admissions will be divided between these organizations.  The organizations will be there to help with the event.

The department store will bring local businesses under one roof so that area residents can see just how much of their shopping they can do with local businesses. It will be similar to farmers markets, antique shows, craft shows, and artisan studio tours, but all at the same time. Come to start a wish list for yourself or to get started on your holiday shopping! There will be some children’s activities as well.

Last year’s department store was a tremendous success, bringing in over 60 businesses and hundreds of shoppers.  This year’s store is already shaping up to be just as big and diverse, with several new businesses participating.  There is still time for additional businesses to sign-up, but only for a couple more weeks.

Please contact one of my offices if you would like more information on the event or to register. You can reach my office by email at:  russella@assembly.state.ny.us or by telephone at (315) 786-0284 or (315) 386-2037. I cannot wait to see you there!

Assemblywoman Russell helps local workers get what they were promised

“Recently, a measure I authored to restore the retirement credit of 12 Jefferson County IDA employees was signed into law. With this new law, the employees – whose pensions were found to be impermissible – will have their retirement credits restored for their years of service and money they already paid into the state pension system, as well as anything accrued through the end of July.

“A mistake that was made many years ago put these hardworking men and women in danger of losing their retirement savings. With some of these workers having contributed for 17 years, and with their families’ futures on the line, to deny them their earnings would be just plain wrong. We did the right thing in restoring the retirement credits these individuals worked so tirelessly to accrue.”

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Assemblywoman Russell’s mandate relief measure becomes law

Cost-saving measure provides greater contract flexibility to local governments

In order to provide much-needed financial relief to local governments, Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced the legislation shesponsored, along with State Senator Elizabeth Little, that allows municipalities and districts, such as school districts) to contract for goods and services together with any other federal, state or local government agency has been signed into law (Ch.308  of 2012).

“With so many local governments stretched thin, it is crucial that we provide them with cost-saving options,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This commonsense law is a solution that will help reduce costs for local governments and save our hard-earned dollars by keeping property taxes for North Country families in check.”

The law will allow local governments and school districts to use cooperative purchasing, also known as piggybacking, to secure cheaper costs for a particular product or service by using the same contract for a vendor that was used by any other government agency, as long as the contract was made consistent with NewYork State procurement laws.

“I believe the time has come for New York taxpayers and schools to benefit from the same practices that the rest of the states in our union enjoy,” Susan Whitney, Superintendent of LaFargeville Central School said.

“The monies realized in these savings would be devoted to enhancing much needed educational programs for students throughout the region,” Jay Boak, District Superintendent of Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer-Oneida Board of Cooperative Educational Services said.

“Across the country, 49 states have already approved piggybacking measures that allow local governments to purchase from other cooperative contracts. The process of piggybacking contracts has proven to reduce administrative costs and increase government efficiencies, which is especially important during these difficult times,” Assemblywoman Russell added.

The New York State Educational Conference Board, which consists of members of the New York State School Boards Association, the Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc., New York State United Teachers, and the New York State Association of School Business Officials, unanimously supports the law.

“Cooperative contracts provide a 10-15% cost savings per contract, meaning that reform of school purchasing rules has the ability to potentially save taxpayers $2 billion per year in New York State,” noted the board in a joint letter. “These are savings we can no longer afford to ignore. Authorizing schools and local municipalities to utilize the option of ‘piggy-backing’ on other states and local government-let contracts (or the option of purchasing through national purchasing cooperatives) will provide immediate savings and relief, allowing precious resources to be directed toward vital programs and services.”

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Russell Announces NY Brewery Bill Signed Into Law

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced legislation she supported providing relief to small breweries and allowing farms to grow, brew and sell locally made beer and cider has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo. As a result, tax and fee relief that was lost last March will be restored to small breweries and a new market will be opened for North Country farms, according to Assemblywoman Russell.

“We have a great, budding craft beer industry in New York and this new law will help expand production and create new jobs for our hardworking families,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Our small businesses, like craft breweries and farms, are the economic engines that drive the North Country and they deserve all the help we can give them so that they can continue to grow and thrive.”

Helping create farm breweries

The new law allows farms to brew their own New York State-labeled beer and cider and sell the product to any New York State-licensed wholesaler or retailer and for consumption on and off the premises (Ch. 108 of 2012). Farms will also be able to sell the new product at state fairs, county fairs and farmers markets.

“Agriculture is a big part of the North Country economy and this law opens up a new lucrative market for farms that can be just as profitable as our state’s wineries,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “New York was once the hop-growing capital of the world and this legislation will make the crop profitable once again, further aiding farm growth and expansion.”

In order to qualify for the farm brewery license, farms will have to manufacture, store and sell New York State-labeled beer and/or cider, and have an annual production capacity of 60,000 barrels or less. To be considered New York State-labeled beer or cider, the products will have to be made from New York State-grown ingredients or apples. Farm brewery licensees will also be able to conduct beer and cider tastings, manufacture, bottle and sell food products and condiments, as well as store and sell other items, such as non-alcoholic beverages, food items, beer supplies and accessories, beer-making equipment and souvenirs, further boosting farm sales, noted Assemblywoman Russell.

“This law is really a win for all sides of our farming industry,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Not only does it open a new market for farm products and expand the number of profitable crops to grow, but it will increase tourism and expand the retail facilities at our farms, bringing new jobs to our area.”

Providing tax and fee relief for small breweries

Due to legal action brought by out-of-state brewers, a vital tax exemption for New York’s small breweries was ruled improper by a court in March. To fix this job-killing decision, a second new law provides a tax credit or refund of 14 cents per gallon for New York brewers on the first 500,000 gallons produced within the state, another 4.5 cents-per-gallon credit for the next 15.5 million gallons and provides an exemption from the labeling fees imposed on batches of less than 1,500 barrels (Ch. 109 of 2012). The new tax and fee relief for small breweries passes constitutional muster, according to Assemblywoman Russell.

“When the courts struck down these vital tax and fee exemptions it was a crushing blow to our small breweries,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Many relied on the exemptions to keep their doors open and restoring the relief allows the businesses to continue to grow.”

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