New York

May 22, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson and New York State Consumer Protection Board Chairperson and Executive Director Mindy A. Bockstein today issued the following statements in support of the federal Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act of 2009:

Statement from Governor David A. Paterson:    » read more »

State Investment Secures 10-to-1 Matching Funds from Federal Government

May 22, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York will commit $10.5 million in state grants to secure a federal investment of nearly $100 million to finance five energy research centers across the State. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has named five New York institutions Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC), and each has been awarded DOE grants between $2 and $5 million per year for a planned initial five year period.    » read more »

Total Economic Recovery Investment for Road and Bridge Projects in Region Reaches $43.3 Million

May 21, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the certification of an additional $135.3 million for highway and bridge improvements through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The funding will allow 48 new projects to move forward, creating an estimated 3,247 jobs across the State, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

Today’s announcement brings the total number of ARRA-certified transportation projects to 174 at a cost of $680.9 million, of which the federal stimulus package has provided $522.9 million.    » read more »

The First In Albany And Greene Counties

May 21, 2009 -- “This morning, I was informed by the State Department of Health that testing at its Wadsworth Laboratories confirmed two new cases of H1N1 (swine flu) in Albany and Greene counties. These are the first confirmed H1N1 cases in each of those counties.

“These additional cases are cause for concern, but they should not be cause for panic or alarm. Our Health Department is using all of its resources and working diligently with its local and national partners to ensure the public remains healthy and safe as we confront this crisis.    » read more »

Legislation Allows State to Access $645 Million in Economic Recovery Funding for Unemployment Insurance; Additional 13 Weeks of Benefits Will Prevent 56,000 New Yorkers from Losing Needed Aid

May 20, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver today announced the enactment of critical legislation that will extend unemployment insurance (UI) benefits for more than 120,000 New Yorkers, including approximately 56,000 individuals whose benefits were set to expire next week.    » read more »

Yahoo! Would Invest $150 Million and Create 125 High-Tech Jobs

May 19, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that the New York Power Authority (NYPA) has approved a proposal designed to bring Yahoo! Inc., the world’s largest global online network of integrated internet services, to Western New York. If the proposal is accepted by the company, Yahoo! would invest at least $150 million for the construction of a new East Coast Regional Datacenter and create 125 new high-tech jobs in Western New York.    » read more »

May 17, 2009 -- “It is with great sadness tonight that we learn that New York has lost one of its residents to an illness related to H1N1. Speaking for all New Yorkers, our condolences and prayers go to Mitchell Wiener’s family, friends, co-workers and students. I know he will be missed at the Intermediate School 238 in Hollis.

“The New York State Department of Health (DOH) remains on heightened alert to respond to the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak. DOH continues to work closely with local public health departments that are carefully monitoring the situation, particularly with respect to absenteeism in schools.    » read more »

Senator Introduces New Plan To Prevent Layoffs And Recruit More Volunteers; Provision Will Be Included In A Spending Bill Set To Pass In The Senate This Week

May 18, 2009 -- U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer joined Senator Chris Dodd in unveiling a new proposal to support volunteer and paid firefighters in the Southern Tier. The current firefighters grant program, Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants, may only be used to hire new, additional career fire fighters. Senator Schumer and Senator Dodd have introduced legislation that changes the SAFER grants program, and allows funds awarded in the next two years to be used to restore or retain current workforce levels despite local budget cuts.    » read more »

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) last week applauded a decision by the Obama Administration to end slot auctions at airports in the New Jersey-New York area airports. Under the Administration’s proposal, the Department of Transportation would halt plans announced by the Bush Administration last October to withdraw slots from airlines flying in the region and auction them to the highest bidder.    » read more »

Assists Parents, Improves Child Nutrition, Cuts Costs of Chronic Diseases

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - As part of a broad agenda to assist parents and improve child nutrition, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand wants the nation to follow New York City's lead and require nutrition facts on all chain restaurant menus.

The first New York Senator to serve on the Agriculture Committee in 40 years, Senator Gillibrand announced last week that she is working with Chairman Tom Harkin and co-sponsoring the Menu Education and Labeling (MEAL) Act to require all restaurants with at least 20 locations to post nutrition facts on all menus, menu boards and drive through lanes.    » read more »

Senator Applauds President Obama’s Pick of NYC Health Commissioner at Critical Time for Public Health, Security

May 19, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand last week issued the following statement praising President Obama's decision to nominate New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden as the next director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

"President Obama could not have made a better pick to lead the CDC at this critical time. Dr. Frieden has ushered in groundbreaking reforms to improve public health and safety for the citizens of New York City. During the last several weeks, he has demonstrated his effectiveness and competence in the face of a serious health crisis.    » read more »

May 15, 2009 -- “This evening I was informed by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg that New York City has made a decision to close an additional three schools due to high absenteeism and reports of influenza-like illnesses. The three schools are:

o JHS 74Q - Nathanial Hawthorne School, 1021 students in Bayside: 26 students with documented flu-like symptoms.
o P.S. 107Q - Thomas A. Dooley, 891 students in Flushing: Flu-like symptoms were documented as being persistently high this week and 49 students were documented with flu-like symptoms.
o I.S. 318K - Eugenio Maria De Hostos, 1517 students in Williamsburg: 53 students were documented with flu-like symptoms this week.    » read more »

Package Includes Proposals to Extend the Availability of COBRA Coverage for New Yorkers Who Lose Their Jobs and to Insure Dependents Up to Age 29; Other Proposals Will Make Insurance and Needed Health Services More Accessible

May 15, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced legislation that will introduce several new initiatives to make health insurance more affordable and improve access to health care for more New Yorkers.    » read more »

New York Power Authority Plans to Advance Statewide 100 MW Photovoltaic Project to Help Implement Governor’s Clean Energy Agenda, Increase Energy Independence and Create Clean Energy Jobs

May 15, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the largest solar photovoltaic project in New York, which will help the State meet its energy needs, foster the development of solar technologies and stimulate the economy with new clean energy jobs.

This initiative follows on the heels of the Governor’s recently announced 50 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project, lead by the Long Island Power Authority. Together, these projects totaling 150 MW would position New York as the State with the second highest installed PV capacity.    » read more »

May 14, 2009 -- “Today, I joined New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to announce that the New York City Health Department has recommended closing three schools in Queens after documenting unusually high levels of influenza-like illness. The schools will close tomorrow and remain closed for at least five school days.

“We will continue to work closely with New York City officials to monitor the situation at these three schools and schools across the State to ensure that we are taking all necessary precautions to protect our children and families. I continue to urge residents across New York to remain alert, but not alarmed.”

The three schools that closed in Queens include:    » read more »