March 18, 2026 – With VINES Executive Director Amelia LoDolce at the annual Women’s History Month celebration hosted by the NYS Legislative Women’s Caucus. Amelia was honored for being a woman shaping a sustainable future.

March 17, 2026 – With fellow Agriculture Chair Senator Hinchey and Dave Fitch of the NY Wine Policy Institute at the annual “Sip and Sample.” Wineries from across the state were featured during this short break from budget discussions.

March 11, 2026 – With Assemblyman Angelino to highlight the recent Report on Rural Ambulance Services, which declares that “the rural EMS system in NYS is teetering on the brink of collapse.”

March 7, 2026 – With fellow elected officials at the 58th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown Binghamton.

March 6, 2026 – Senator Lea Webb and I joined LeadingAge at Good Shepherd Communities to raise the alarm about the crisis facing our nursing homes. They have not received a Medicaid rate increase in almost 20 years and the financial losses are unsustainable. Our seniors have worked hard all their lives; they deserve better than this.

March 3, 2026 – DASNY President Rodriguez was in Johnson City to announce a $1.41M NY BRICKS grant for YMCA’s West Family Branch. They plan to replace the roof and HVAC system and make improvements to the lobby and outdoor space.

March 3, 2026 – Had the opportunity to read “Seasons on the Farm” to Union-Endicott elementary students as part of CCE’s “Ag in the Classroom.” This great group of kids already knew a lot about farms and were eager to learn more.

February 27, 2026 – With a group of Binghamton University students as part of CCPA’s Local Employer Trek.

February 26, 2026 – Met with representatives from Feeding NYS, including those from the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. We discussed the importance of increasing funds for food assistance programs, especially in light of cuts to SNAP benefits coming out of Washington.

February 24, 2026 – Met with NYAMA as part of Aviation Advocacy Day in Albany. As I’m wrapping up my duties as Co-Chair of the New York Legislative Aviation Caucus, I want to thank them for their partnership these last 15 years.

February 20, 2026 – At the grand opening of Confluence Court at 200 Court Street. After sitting vacant for the last 15 years, there’s already a waiting list for the 111 apartments (51 affordable and 60 that come with supportive services).

February 12, 2026 – DOT Commissioner Dominguez visited Binghamton to announce that the final design for the 363 Gateway Project has been approved, with work to begin in the Spring. With plans for improved roadway infrastructure, safer and easier entry into downtown, and new green space, this is one of the most consequential redesigns the City will undergo in over 50 years. The $43M project is being paid for with federal and state funds.

February 11, 2026 – Meeting with local United Way representatives in Albany on 211 day to discuss this year’s budget.

February 10, 2026 – Speaking at a press conference in Albany to kick off the Farm Bureau’s Agriculture Advocacy Day.

February 9, 2026 – At the Farm Bureau’s annual Taste of NY event in Albany, where hundreds turned out to meet the people behind NY’s farm economy.

February 9, 2026 – Meeting with members of LeadingAge New York to discuss the ongoing crisis facing NY’s nursing homes and long-term care industry. The financial losses they’re facing are unsustainable.

February 2, 2026 – I stopped by Cooperative Gallery 213’s anniversary event to congratulate them on 25 years of bringing art to the community. They were the first gallery to open on State Street, now known as Artists Row. Their founding members helped usher in a new era of art appreciation with many new galleries, and of course First Friday.

January 27, 2026 – As part of the Joint Budget Hearing on Agriculture and Parks & Recreation, I asked witnesses questions about the Governor’s proposed budget, especially in light of federal program cuts and policies. We discussed tariff relief, workforce impacts, food security, agricultural research, solar development on prime farmland, and more. These hearings are an important part of the budget process, helping to shape our priorities.

January 9, 2026 – Celebrated Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at the Endicott Police Department. I met with officers and students from Binghamton University’s SPIR program to learn about the work they’re doing to help modernize their case filing system.

December 19, 2025 – Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kampai, the region’s first Japanese restaurant. Senator Lea Webb and I presented Richard and his family with a Legislative Resolution and other recognitions.

December 18, 2025 – Packing boxes for our annual Holiday Giving Box initiative. Thanks to the community’s generosity, the team was able to provide 425 boxes packed with ingredients for a complete holiday meal to local families.

December 17, 2025 – With Johnson City Mayor Meaney, Police Chief Dodge, and Fire Chief McCaffery to announce plans for a new Public Safety Training Center funded by a $250K Assembly grant. The Center will provide a dedicated space for police, fire, and K-9 training at the site of the former Public Works building on Brown Street.

December 12, 2025 – Celebrating the grand opening of the new ice rink at Grippen Community Park.

November 28, 2025 – Helping decorate the UNICO Italian heritage tree for Roberson’s annual “Home for the Holidays.”

November 25, 2025 – Senator Webb and I with Laurie Wheelock from New York’s Public Utility Law Project. We called on the federal government to immediately release funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), and encouraged residents to apply for the state-funded Energy Affordability Program (EAP).

November 25, 2025 – Announcing the winner of this year’s Thanksgiving Food Challenge. “Team University” held onto their title, winning the coveted Golden Yam Can Award for most meals donated for the third year in a row. "Team City" brought in the most pounds of food, winning the Silver Sweet Pea Award. "Team State" had a good showing, along with "Team County." Together we brought in nearly 32,000 meals for the community.

November 24, 2025 – Celebrating the grand opening of Di Cotta’s on Oak Hill Avenue in Endicott. The menu looks terrific and Antonio’s gelato is still being served.

November 19, 2025 – At the grand opening of the latest phase of the Vestal Rail Trail, which brings a new parking lot on Vestal Road, a connection to Harold Moore Park, a new right-turn lane, and improvements to a pedestrian crossing.

November 14, 2025 – Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Lourdes Hospital.

November 13, 2025 – With Terry Cortese-Green, our Director of Constituent Services, at the Chamber’s annual Thanksgiving Luncheon. Congratulations to all of the awardees, and thank you to keynote speaker Michael Grasso from Roberson for his uplifting remarks about our community.

November 12, 2025 – Kicking off the annual Thanksgiving Food Challenge to benefit CHOW. We’re hoping to beat last year’s tally of over 21,000 meals brought in for the community.

October 31, 2025 – Joined local leaders to discuss the SNAP emergency and our coordinated response. Due to the federal suspension, 16,000 households in Broome County were put at risk of losing their food assistance.

October 24, 2025 – Assemblyman Angelino and I visited Sidney for a tour of LifeNet’s medical helicopter base. We heard about the importance of legislation we helped pass to allow blood on their helicopters, and thanked them for their heroic, lifesaving work.

October 21, 2025 – Speaking at the grand opening of the new Timothy M. Grippen Veterans Resource Center on Binghamton’s Northside. The center is a unique one-stop shop for veterans’ support and services, with ten “tiny houses” on site. The $500K Assembly grant I secured is in recognition of the debt of gratitude we owe to our veterans.

October 14, 2025 – DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez was in town to help cut the ribbon on BC Transit’s six new battery-electric buses and announce additional funding for three more. These buses are cleaner running and much quieter than the current fleet.