Assemblywoman Russell: Effort under way to gain support to fund pilot farm to school program in North Country

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, says she is continuing to work to get funding included in the 2016-17 state budget to launch a pilot farm to school program in the North Country.

She said the Assembly’s budget proposal includes $300,000 to build upon the successful farm-to-school program, but additional funding will be necessary in the final budget to get the pilot program off the ground.

"I am continuing to work to get that additional funding for the pilot program in the final state budget. The support for the effort in the Assembly's one house budget bill is an important first step toward making this program a reality," Assemblywoman Russell said.

"But it is clear there is still a need for additional monies - several hundred thousand dollars - to get those local products in our school cafeterias by the next school year. Our vibrant agricultural community and high needs schools in the North Country make us an ideal region to launch a pilot program," she said.

This additional funding would spur development of a farm-to-school food supply chain, making it more affordable for schools to purchase healthy food grown or raised in New York State.

“This program would help schools provide fresh food grown in our state, stimulating the local economy and introducing our students to more healthy food options,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “This is a win-win for local farmers and our children.”

The farm-to-school initiative would modify the state’s reimbursement formula for school lunches, by increasing reimbursement rates by 5 to 25 cents a meal from the current 6 cents.

The rate would be dependent on the percentage of locally grown and produced products that school districts purchase each year.

The reimbursement rate for school lunches hasn’t been increased in 40 years, and low reimbursement rates hinder schools’ abilities to purchase farm-to-school products, according to Assemblywoman Russell, who chairs the state Assembly Task Force on Food, Farm and Nutrition Policy.

As part of her farm-to-school initiative, Assemblywoman Russell authored a bill making it easier for school districts to purchase from local cooperatives (A.6182). The bill would allow schools to make purchases of less than $25,000 from associations or coops without applying for permission from the state education commissioner.

The bill passed the Assembly’s Local Governments Committee in January and is now awaiting action by the Ways and Means Committee.

“When we empower our schools to purchase local food, we demonstrate our commitment to New York’s agricultural community,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “I will keep fighting to enact policies and secure funding so that our kids have more access to healthy foods."

Assemblywoman Russell honors SUNY Potsdam as it celebrates its bicentennial

The New York State Assembly has passed a resolution sponsored by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, commemorating the 200th anniversary of The State University of New York at Potsdam.

The charter founding the college, initially known as St. Lawrence Academy, was signed on March 25, 1816, marking the culmination of a nearly four-year process from when the residents of Potsdam had sent a formal petition to the New York State Board of Regents seeking to establish the school.

"SUNY Potsdam has served a valuable role in the region for the past two centuries. I was pleased to bring this resolution to the floor. It is a good time to reflect on the impact the college and its graduates have had on the North Country, the state and the nation," Assemblywoman Russell said.

“From its founding in 1816, the institution known today as The State University of New York at Potsdam has been dedicated to serving our region, the state and the nation. Thousands of diligent students, loyal alumni and dedicated faculty and staff have passed through the college's halls over two centuries. Just as they emerged with new insights and memories to last a lifetime, SUNY Potsdam will forever be grateful for each and every individual who has left an impact here as well,” President Dr. Kristin G. Esterberg said.

"During our bicentennial, we invite everyone to honor the legacy of the people who have made SUNY Potsdam a pioneering and enduring institution — from 1816 to 2016, and beyond,” she added.

The college, one of the first 50 in the country, has a long and proud tradition. The St. Lawrence Academy opened its doors for the first time on Sept. 30, 1816. The Academy was later chosen to become part of the new Normal School system, officially becoming Potsdam Normal School in 1867. The Crane Normal Institute of Music, which later became The Crane School of Music, was founded in 1886.

In 1942, the institution became Potsdam State Teachers College, along with all other Normal Schools. Finally, in 1948, the State University of New York was established, and the campus would come to be known as SUNY Potsdam.

The college began construction for its new Pierrepont Avenue campus in 1950, and by 1954, Potsdam passed its former downtown building on to neighboring Clarkson University and relocated to its new campus.

SUNY Potsdam now serves as home to 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students studying for degrees ranging from science education to music business and international studies.

SUNY Potsdam educates many Northern New York residents, with 36 percent of the student body hailing from the North Country and 18 percent coming from St. Lawrence County. There are currently 10,200 SUNY Potsdam alumni living and working in the North Country.

Students come to SUNY Potsdam from every corner of the Empire State, including 18 percent from New York City. Others come from across the country, including from as far afield as California and Alaska. A large contingent of Canadian students study at SUNY Potsdam, along with international students from China, Brazil, and Italy, just to name a few origin countries.

The college has 850 employees, and an additional 180 people work on campus through Potsdam Auxiliary College and Educational Services.

"SUNY Potsdam is also a major employer in the North Country, and its employees strengthen our communities. The region continues to benefit from SUNY Potsdam alumni - some native Northern New Yorkers and others that have come from outside the region - that have continued to call this region home. Quite simply, these alums bring skills to our communities that help make the North Country a better place to live," Assemblywoman Russell said.

The resolution noted SUNY Potsdam has maintained the spirit of perseverance and community engagement envisioned by its founders.

"Although there are many top tier programs offered at SUNY Potsdam, tens of thousands of students at North Country schools - in fact, students across the state and nation - have benefited from teachers trained at the college," she said. "Further, the talent of musicians trained at the Crane School of Music have brought joy to our hearts as they perform on stages ranging from our local schools to the top opera venues in the world.”

Assemblywoman Russell pointed to the significance of the college's accomplishments in preparing the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow for the challenges ahead.

Assemblywoman Russell: Assembly votes overwhelmingly to support ethics reform package

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, has announced the Assembly voted 137-4 Tuesday to back ethics reforms that include closing the limited liability corporation (LLC) loophole as well as placing limits on outside income for legislators.

She said the bill was necessary to address issues surrounding state lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly that have faced corruption charges in recent years.

“The people of the North Country need to be able to believe their voices are not being drowned out by the most powerful and wealthy residents of our state," Assemblywoman Russell said.

"Our democratic system is strongest when the will of the people is heard loudly and clearly. Unfortunately, big money and special interests have unfairly bought access and influence, and this is unacceptable,” said Russell. “By closing the LLC loophole and limiting outside income, we are sending a clear message that we all must play by the same rules.”

According to the state Board of Elections, LLCs are treated the same as individuals, which allows an individual to make multiple contributions to the same candidate or committee through separate LLCs.

The Assembly’s ethics reforms would clarify election law to treat LLCs like corporations, holding them to an aggregate $5,000 contribution limit, Assemblywoman Russell noted.

"This will help level the playing field," she suggested.

Furthermore, the legislation would limit legislators’ outside incomes, using a formula similar to what is used by congressional representatives.

"I made a personal choice to not earn a living as an attorney while I am serving in the state Assembly. The North Country residents I represent in Albany deserve representation focused on their needs," Assemblywoman Russell said.

The measure also reduces the spending threshold by which lobbyists must disclose their donors to any amount spent over $5,000.

“These measures are necessary to bring trust back to state government, and I will continue to fight to ensure we have a more transparent and accountable system,” Assemblywoman Russell added.

She noted there is more work to be done.

"I expect the Assembly will also address pension reform in the coming days. I am co-sponsoring legislation that would prevent public officers convicted of felonies stemming from corruption from receiving their taxpayer-funded pensions," Assemblywoman Russell said.

The proposed constitutional amendment would apply to all elected officials at the state and local level, as well as judges, executive appointees, policymakers and certain members of public boards and government bodies.

Assemblywoman Russell sponsors resolution honoring Lady Islanders

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, sponsored a resolution Tuesday afternoon honoring the Thousand Islands-Alexandria Lady Islanders for capturing the New York state high school girls' varsity hockey championship last month.

The Lady Islanders edged Kenmore-Grand Island 3-2 to earn their first state title. Their run to the state championship included avenging their sole loss of the season when they downed Skaneateles 2-0 in the Section III title game and downed Beekmantown 4-1 in the state semi-finals.

Assemblywoman Russell said the Lady Islanders were winners on the ice and were positive contributors in their schools and communities.

The resolution also pointed to the support the state champions had received from their families, friends and fans and noted the state championship had been a source of great pride in the Alex Bay and Clayton area.

"These outstanding athletes have made a contribution to the spirit of excellence, which is a tradition at their schools," according to the resolution. "Athletically and academically, the team members have proven themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talent, reflecting favorably on their schools."

The Lady Islanders feature just over a half dozen players from the Alexandria Bay and Thousand Islands school districts, two players from Immaculate Heart Central and players from General Brown and Indian River.

The Lady Islanders state championship roster includes Mia Coene, Kayla McCabe, Keeley Rose, Miranda Kolb, Taylor Hudon, Maddie Coene, Talia Parker, Kelsey Bannister, Maddy Cullen, Mikayla Cipullo, Emilie Watt, Emily Rose, Annika Balk, Kaitlin Irvine, Lindsey Bradley, Kyleigh Prance, Sydney Aubertine, Kelsey Cullen and Madison Fleming. The team is coached by Brian Hudon, Matt Cullen and Jamie Wiley.

Assemblywoman Russell has invited the team to Albany later this month to be introduced on the floor of the New York State Assembly.

Assemblywoman Russell: Assembly budget plan provides additional water infrastructure funding that could benefit town of Orleans.

Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Thursday, has announced the state Assembly budget proposal approved Monday includes $300 million for water and sewer infrastructure funding, $50 million more than was included in the governor's spending proposal.

The funds would be dispersed as grants to local governments making repairs or improvements to their water and sewer systems.

"This is yet another sign to the people of the town of Orleans and other parts of the state that the state Assembly is committed to making sure funding is available for critical projects in our communities," Assemblywoman Russell said.

"I know from my conversations with the governor's office that the commitment to finding the funding necessary to move the Orleans water project forward remains a priority. The additional funding provided in the Assembly budget proposal would provide another mechanism to make that happen," she said.

Orleans town officials have said they need an additional $3 million in funding to move forward with a $13 million water line project in the vicinity of Route 12 between Alexandria Bay and Fisher's Landing.

"I remain committed to working with local and state officials to move this project forward. The residents of the town of Orleans have been dealing with groundwater contamination for too long already. It is time for a solution. I am optimistic this extra pool of money included in the Assembly budget plan can provide the resources necessary to get the Orleans water project in the ground," Assemblywoman Russell said.

She noted a number of alarming situations involving drinking water have surfaced around the state and nation in recent weeks.

"The crisis in the town of Orleans needs to be fixed immediately. Providing safe drinking water to the residents of Orleans - and other communities facing similar issues - is a sound investment in our future. The health of our children and families depends on it," she said.

Assemblywoman Russell has previously directed $500,000 toward the project through the state Dormitory Authority.

The town has also been awarded an $11.4 million loan from the state Environmental Facilities Corporation, $500,000 through the North Country Economic Development Council and $100,000 from the state Senate.

Town officials have said they face regulations that mean they can only spend $8 million from the loan on the water project. Following a meeting Assemblywoman Russell attended with other state lawmakers and agency representatives in early February, assurances were made the funding gap would be closed through grant funding.

"These additional funds included in the Assembly budget would simply provide another tool to make sure that happens." Assemblywoman Russell said.