New York

May 29, 2009 -- U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded two grants totaling $1,140,000 to Plattsburgh International Airport for infrastructure improvements and safety enhancements. A $950,000 grant will be used to upgrade nose doc hangars and a grant of $190,000 will be used to perform terminal expansion and security improvements.    » read more »

New facility will feature "green" technologies to reduce energy use by more than 50 percent

ARMONK and SYRACUSE, N.Y. - 29 May 2009: IBM (NYSE: IBM), Syracuse University and New York State have entered into a multiyear agreement to build and operate a new computer data center on the University's campus that will incorporate advanced infrastructure and smarter computing technologies to make it one of the most energy-efficient data centers in the world. The data center is expected to use 50 percent less energy than a typical data center today, making it one of the "greenest" computer centers in operation.    » read more »

Federal Dollars Will Advance Cutting Edge Research, Treatment for NYC

May 28, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $5,437,612 in federal dollars to support medical research and training programs at hospitals, universities, laboratories and research facilities in New York City.

These funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will help move forward on critical research and treatment to help improve the lives of all New Yorkers, and are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Senators Schumer and Gillibrand helped pass earlier this year.    » read more »

Routes 5A and 69 Resurfacing Underway; Includes Curbing, Drainage, Sidewalks and Signal Replacement Work

May 28, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the start of construction on the $2.4 million project to resurface State Routes 5A and 69 in Oneida County, the first American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) construction contract awarded in the Mohawk Valley.

New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Utica Regional Director Michael Shamma today broke ground on the project, which was certified by Governor Paterson in March. Crews will resurface eight miles of pavement on Route 69 in the villages of Oriskany and Whitesboro and the town of Whitestown, and Route 5A in the village of Yorkville and town of Whitestown.    » read more »

Legislation Would Ensure Gun Dealer Employees Have Passed Background Checks and Prevent Ineligible Gun Owners from Possessing a Gun License

May 28, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he has proposed legislation that would help ensure that only law-abiding individuals are able to obtain and retain firearms licenses.

This legislation, which was delivered to the Legislature today, will close gaps in New York law that may allow persons to obtain or retain firearms licenses even though they are barred by federal law from possessing those weapons. This includes requiring a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check every three or five years for gun licensees and dealers.    » read more »

Milestone Makes More Federal Funding Possible; New York Reaches Goal More Than One Month Before Federal Deadline

May 28, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York State has reached a significant milestone in administering federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds.

The Federal Highway Administration has obligated more than $392 million of ARRA highway funds for projects Governor Paterson has certified as eligible for any ARRA funding, making the State eligible for any ARRA highway funds that other states fail to use.    » read more »

Schumer: Firefighters Are True American Heroes And Deserve Recognition and Resources

May 27, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today proposed legislation to support volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) providers in the Southern Tier. Schumer’s legislation would offer a $1,000 tax credit for active members of volunteer firefighting and EMS organizations. The bill is aimed at helping recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters at a time when it is increasingly difficult to find adequate numbers of people who can volunteer their time for the community, leaving many departments thinly staffed.    » read more »

Announces Dam Rehabilitation And Repair Act Of 2009 To Aid Ailing And Debilitated Dams

May 27, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed that dams in Cortland County and across New York State are in a dangerous state of disrepair. Schumer today announced the Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2009. Schumer said that many dams are more than 100 years old and some have been without attentive ownership and upkeep for decades.    » read more »

Site Will Make New Jobs More Accessible to New Yorkers Governor’s Request; Furthers Transparency in Stimulus Spending

May 27, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that every firm that the State hires with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds is required to post any jobs created by these funds to the New York State Job Bank, which can be accessed at www.labor.ny.gov.

In a memo sent this morning, the Governor directed State agencies to work with contracted firms to ensure that the created jobs are posted. This will streamline the often difficult employment search process at a time when many New Yorkers face unemployment, and will more quickly and efficiently achieve the Governor’s ultimate goal to get New Yorkers back to work.    » read more »

Airline Will Maintain Service Between Ithaca Tompkins And Newark; Service Provides Region With Critical Access To Domestic And International Flights

May 26, 2009 -- United States Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that Continental Airlines has withdrawn their plan to end their daily round-trip flights between Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport and their New York hub at Newark Liberty International Airport.

The service is operated by CommutAir as Continental Connection. The change comes after Schumer wrote and called Continental Airlines CEO Larry Kellner, urging him to reverse his decision, and after unprecedented lobbying on the part of community members and the Tompkins County business community.    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to serve on the United State Supreme Court:

“Throughout her impressive life and career, Judge Sonia Sotomayor has demonstrated the integrity, leadership and intellect that make her an outstanding nominee to our nation’s highest court. I congratulate President Obama for his selection of Judge Sotomayor, a native New Yorker whose legal mind will undoubtedly benefit our entire judicial system.    » read more »

Legislation to Create Independent, Functional and Efficient Government Ethics Commission; One Standard Will Apply to Executive and Legislative Branches of Government

May 26, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the introduction of sweeping ethics reform legislation that would create a truly independent, functional and efficient Government Ethics Commission to replace the existing Public Integrity Commission.    » read more »

May 25, 2009 -- “Memorial Day is a day when we pause as a nation to give thanks to the more than one million brave men and women who have given their lives for their country. It is a day to remember that the rights we hold dear and the freedoms we cherish are not without sacrifice. New York is proud of the men and women who have stepped forward to serve. They have displayed selfless devotion to preserve the liberties and freedoms enjoyed not only in the United States, but throughout the world.    » read more »

May 20, 2009 -- LEV L. DASSIN, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, JOSEPH M. DEMAREST, JR., the Assistant-Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ("FBI"), RAYMOND W. KELLY, the Police Commissioner for the City of New York, HARRY J.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- “The State Department of Health (DOH) and State Education Department have finalized a voluntary statewide system for monitoring illness and absenteeism in schools that will enhance monitoring that has been underway since the start of the outbreak. This additional monitoring is designed to identify situations that may warrant additional State level attention. It will supplement the data school districts already collect regarding absenteeism and support consistent and informed application of best practices on a statewide basis.    » read more »