Press Releases

New York State Assembly for the Second Year in a Row Passes O’Donnell Bill to Protect NYC Public Schools

Today, for the second year in a row, the NYS Assembly passed Assembly Member O’Donnell’s bill A6058a. This bill would help to protect New York City school properties and prevent rampant development without input by the affected communities and families....

O’Donnell Concludes His Annual Children’s Book Drive, Collecting Close to 2,400 Books

On Friday, Assembly Member O’Donnell handed over roughly 40 boxes filled with nearly 2,400 books to Project Cicero to conclude his 2014 Children’s Book Drive. This number shatters last year’s record of over 2,000 books. They will be distributed...

O’Donnell Hosts LGBT Activist Delegation from Latin America, Strategizes on How to Face Common Challenges

This morning, New York State Assembly Member Daniel J. O’Donnell was honored to host a delegation of LGBT activists from Latin American through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Over breakfast, the group held...

O’Donnell Introduces Bill to Make NYC’s Speed Limit 20 MPH

Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell introduced A8478, a bill to reduce the official speed limit in New York City to 20 miles per hour except where the City Council determines otherwise. He explained: Last week, two tragedies in my district emphasized...

O’Donnell Statement on His Probation Judicial Discretion Becoming Law

On Friday Governor Cuomo signed Assembly Member O’Donnell’s bill, A4582, into law, just days after he spoke of the importance of reducing mass incarceration during his State of the State speech. His bill, which will grant judicial discretion with...

O’Donnell Chairs Correction Committee Hearing on Parole Reform in New York State

Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell led an Assembly Correction Committee hearing on the parole process in New York State. He was joined by Assembly Members Aubrey, Giglio, Ortiz, and Sepulveda. The legislators heard testimony from Parole Board Chairwoman...

O’Donnell Questions SED Commissioner John King Regarding Student Privacy at Education Hearing

Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell questioned State Education Commissioner John King and Deputy Commissioner Ken Wagner regarding the state’s plan to share sensitive, personally identifiable student information with the private corporation inBloom,...

O’Donnell Statement Calling on NYS Comptroller to Divest Common Retirement Fund of Russian Assets

Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell sent a letter to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, requesting that in light of Russia’s recent attacks on LGBT rights, he fully divest the New York State Common Retirement Fund (CRF) of all Russian assets....

O’Donnell Bill to Protect Environment against Dangerous Hydrofracking Practice Passes Committee

On Tuesday, May 7th, the New York State Assembly’s Environmental Conservation committee passed a vital piece of legislation in the fight to protect New York from the potential dangers of hydraulic fracturing, or “hydrofracking.” Bill A3561, sponsored...

O’Donnell’s Introduces Bill Requiring Community Involvement in City School Building Sales and Transfers

Assembly Member O’Donnell has just introduced a bill in response to news that the New York City Department of Education is proposing the demolition of two Upper West Side school buildings and the subsequent construction on site of private high-rise...

O’Donnell Statement on the Passage of Crucial Gun Safety Legislation

Today, Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell was proud to vote in favor of New York’s crucial gun safety legislation, the SAFE Act. Soon after the vote, he said, We as a community are still reeling from our overwhelming losses in Webster, NY and Newtown,...

O’Donnell Unsatisfied with Drilling Industry Answers to Hydrofracking Questions

Today, Assembly Member O’Donnell attended a joint Assembly hearing on the drilling practice known as “hydrofracking.” The hearing was hosted by the Environmental Conservation Committee, the Health Committee, and the Administrative Regulations Review...

O’Donnell Statement Applauding Decision for Marriage Equality by NY’s Highest Court

Today, in response to news that the New York State Court of Appeals has declined to hear an appeal against the state’s Marriage Equality Act, Assembly Member O’Donnell stated: This is a tremendous moment for our state. With this action, the Court...

O’Donnell Statement Praising Federal Court Decision that DOMA is Unconstitutional

Today, in response to news that the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell stated: The Defense of Marriage Act is a lingering remnant of hatred and discrimination in the...

Assembly Member O’Donnell Attends Governor’s Education Reform Hearing

Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell, the only Manhattan member of the New York State Assembly’s Education Committee, attended today's public hearing for Governor Cuomo’s New NY Education Reform Commission. After the event, O’Donnell noted, I was...

O’Donnell Statement on Dignity for All Students Act Going into Effect

Starting today, New York’s students will be protected from bullying by a new policy, one of the most comprehensive in the country, which takes advantage of the most current research on the subject. Says O’Donnell, the prime sponsor of the bill: As...

O’Donnell Statement on New York State Assembly Passing Vital Cyberbullying Protections

Today, the New York State Assembly approved legislation to protect New York schoolchildren from the growing scourge of cyberbullying. The legislation builds on Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell’s anti-bullying legislation, the Dignity for All Students...

O’Donnell Statement Commending the Ruling on DOMA

Today, in response to news that the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutionally denies federal rights to same-sex couples, Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell stated: With each court ruling such as this, our great...

O’Donnell Statement on Inclusion of Charter Schools in New Bullying Protection Regulations

In response to public comment, including Assembly Member O’Donnell’s letter of March 5, 2012 calling for this change, the New York State Education Department has included charter schools in proposed new regulations intended to combat bullying in all...

O’Donnell Statement Thanking President Obama for His Support of Marriage Equality

“I am thrilled President Obama has announced his support for true Marriage Equality in the United States. There have been few more significant moments in the battle for equality than this endorsement by the leader of the free world. As the President...