“It was great to hear Gov. Hochul speak to so many of my priorities in her State of the State Address today. Specifically my efforts to promote workforce development and support farmers struggling with overtime expenses were addressed. I look forward to working with the governor to advance solutions on these pressing needs for our state as we restore the economy and ensure every New Yorkers has a path forward.

“This year’s budget must include appropriate resources for direct-care workers and the disability community to protect group homes from closures, job loss, and people with disabilities have the best possible care close to their loved ones. I was happy to hear that Gov. Hochul shares this concern and wants to implement a $3,000 bonus for those providing direct care. This is a good start.

“Addressing our state’s exponentially growing mental health needs also must be a priority for the governor as we rebuild our state. While we all want to keep kids in school and appropriately protected, it is a shocking reality that suicide rates are up. Mental health resources in schools are desperately needed, as well as for veterans and the frontline workers who have been running on empty fighting the pandemic for the past two years. This is another area I will gladly be working together with the governor on, and I also hope she will extend the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Counseling Program, as part of this effort, to Livingston County in this year’s budget.”