Senator who authored NY’s first property tax cap and has championed state spending cap and small business relief measures hailed for “tireless advocacy” on behalf of small businesses who create most of the jobs in our economy

New York State Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville) today was presented the “Guardian of Small Business” Award by NFIB NY, the state’s leading advocate for small businesses.

Tedisco was the first author of the Property Tax Cap, which put a lid on out of control tax hikes and has saved taxpayers $15.3 billion statewide and residents of the 49^th State Senate District $344.5 million since its implementation. As a member of the Senate, Tedisco voted for and together with his colleagues, helped pass a state spending cap in the Senate last month. He is now advocating to reduce unfunded state mandates that drive up local property taxes and for efforts to remove obstacles to enable small businesses to grow and create jobs.

Senator Tedisco also named Chairman of Senate Social Services Committee and member of Banks, Codes, Crime Victims, Crime and Correction, Elections, Environmental Conservation, Health and Libraries Committees

New York State Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville) today was appointed as a new member of the Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction by Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan.

The Task Force is charged with holding forums, consulting with law enforcement, health and addiction experts, recovering addicts, and families affected by heroin and opioid addiction and then making recommendations on legislation and best practices for New York State to deal with this health and public safety epidemic.

“Heroin and opioid addiction is a terrible scourge that is devastating too many lives and families across New York State and directly impacting the 49^th Senate District.  We must be compassionate for those who face addiction and try and help them cut through bureaucratic red tape so they get the help and treatment they need to turn their lives around.  We also need to work closely with law enforcement to stop the flow of drugs and ensure drug dealers face justice for the lives they destroy,” said Tedisco.

Senator launches petition drive for Assembly to follow Senate and make it a felony punishable by up to 2 years in jail to harm pets during the commission of another felony

As the State Senate today passed “Kirby & Quigley’s Law” by a 59-2 vote, Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville), the author and lead sponsor of the bill, has announced a new online petition drive to harness the power of the people to urge the Assembly to bring the public safety measure to the Floor of the New York State Assembly for a debate and up or down vote.

“Kirby & Quigley’s Law” was named for two Montgomery County dogs that were shot and killed during a burglary nearly one year ago which is still an unsolved case. The bill (S.1680/A.3038) would make it a Buster’s Law animal cruelty law felony, punishable with two years in jail and a $5,000 fine, for harming a companion animal during the commission of another felony. This enhanced penalty ensures that perpetrators are charged with felony animal cruelty charges when they face other felonies such as burglary. Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) is sponsoring the bill in the Assembly.

“The Krohn family are true heroes in helping to get this bill passed as they have turned their terrible tragedy into something positive to help others. We must always remember that animal cruelty is a bridge crime and a top tier Group A offense for the FBI when it comes to crime reporting. There’s no question that anyone who would invade a home and assassinate two loving dogs in cold blood would harm a human being,” said Tedisco. “The Senate has passed ‘Kirby and Quigley’s Law’ five years in a row and now it’s time for the Assembly to bring justice to the Krohn family and to the memory of Kirby and Quigley by enabling this bi-partisan legislation to come to the Floor of the Assembly for a debate and up or down vote.” 

Lawmakers, animal advocates seek Buster’s Law felony, punishable with 2 years in jail for harming pets during commission of another felony

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville), Senator George Amedore (R,C,I-Rotterdam), Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) and Senator Phil Boyle (R,C,I-Suffolk County) today joined with family members of two murdered dogs, law enforcement and animal advocates to make a major announcement on bi-partisan support for “Kirby & Quigley’s Law” to protect pets and people.

“Kirby & Quigley’s Law” was named for two Montgomery County dogs that were shot and killed during a burglary nearly one year ago which is still an unsolved case. The bill (S.1680/A.3038) would make it a Buster’s Law animal cruelty law felony, punishable with two years in jail and a $5,000 fine, for harming a companion animal during the commission of another felony. 

This enhanced penalty ensures that perpetrators are charged with felony animal cruelty charges when they face other felonies such as burglary. The measure was renamed “Kirby & Quigley’s Law” in the dogs’ memory with support from the Krohn family who have turned their personal tragedy into something positive to advocate for passage of this law to keep others safe.

“It is by the grace of God that another member of the Krohn family was not present when this horrific event occurred as there’s no question in my mind that whoever would commit such a violent crime against a pet would not hesitate to harm a human. Anyone who would be so dastardly as to assassinate two beautiful, loving dogs in cold blood is a threat to others and should face justice under Buster’s Law and go to jail for a long time for all of their felony crimes,” said Senator Tedisco. “Now that we have bi-partisan majority sponsorship for ‘Kirby and Quigley’s Law’ in both the Senate and Assembly I am hopeful we can get this important public safety bill passed and sent to the Governor for his review.” 

Legislation will ensure people’s conduit in the State Legislature will continue to receive holistic State of the State Address from New York’s Chief Executive

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville) and Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie)  today introduced new legislation to ensure that future State of the State Addresses by New York’s Chief Executive are first given in the Assembly Chamber at the New York State Capitol.

This legislation (S.1639) is in response to the Governor’s decision to bypass the tradition of delivering an annual holistic State of the State message to the Legislature, public and media at the Capitol. 

The bill, which is an amendment to the state’s constitution, requires that the Governor’s “message shall be delivered orally in the Assembly Chamber, during the first week of legislative session, with a quorum of the Assembly and a quorum of the Senate present.”

For the past six years, the Governor has given his address at the Empire State Convention Center in Albany which is attached to the state Capitol.

Tedisco to represent residents of 49^th NYS Senate District in parts of Saratoga, Schenectady and Herkimer Counties and all of Fulton and Hamilton Counties

Jim Tedisco (R,C,I,REF-Glenville) was officially sworn-in to office today to serve as the new State Senator for New York’s 49^th State Senate District.

 The 49^th State Senate District includes parts of Saratoga, Schenectady and Herkimer Counties and all of Fulton and Hamilton Counties. 

Tedisco, who has been a fierce and outspoken advocate for his constituents and taxpayers for many years, has a strong track record of not being afraid to stand up to and get in the faces of some of Albany's most powerful leaders when Upstate's quality of life has been threatened. He succeeds former Senator Hugh Farley who stepped down last year after 40 years of distinguished service to New York State. 

Senator Tedisco has shown a tremendous ability to work across party lines in a bi-partisan, non-partisan fashion to achieve positive results for New Yorkers. He was an original author of the Tax Cap and helped get that passed and was the driving force behind passage of the landmark Buster's Law making animal cruelty against pets a felony because animal abuse is a bridge crime and those who harm pets often go on to hurt people.  In 2014, Tedisco sponsored, promoted and helped pass with 77% of the vote statewide Proposition 2, a constitutional amendment to save millions of tax dollars by stopping the wasteful printing of paper copies of legislation and allow digital copies to suffice on legislators' desks at the Capitol. 

“While my job title has changed and I now have a much bigger district to represent, I’m still going to be the same Jim Tedisco -- as outspoken and independent a fighter for my constituents as ever. I will work hard each and every day to not let people down and continue to be a strong voice for the people of the 49^th State Senate District who have given me the honor to be their state Senator,” said Tedisco.

49^th Senate District candidate earns important support from law enforcement with nods by Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo and Hamilton County Sheriff Karl Abrams

            Jim Tedisco today received the endorsement of Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo and Hamilton County Sheriff Karl Abrams to serve as the next State Senator for the 49^th Senate District.

            The Glenville Assemblyman is the endorsed Republican candidate for the 49^th Senate District in the September 13^th Republican Primary.  Tedisco also will be on the Conservative, Independence and Reform Party ballot lines.

            Last week, Tedisco received the backing of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association for his strong record of defending our Second Amendment rights. Tedisco has been endorsed by Senator Hugh T. Farley to succeed him in the Senate seat and has won the backing of scores of local officials representing all the counties of the 49^th Senate District.

Assemblyman renews call for creation of a CHIPS-like state program for towns & cities to protect water, sewer, storm water infrastructure & save tax dollars

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) today says two water main breaks in Rotterdam and a sewer break in Amsterdam underscore the continued urgent need for a new state program to repair and maintain vital local drinking water, sewer, storm water management and gas line infrastructure to protect lives, secure the viability of roads and bridges aboveground, and save tax dollars.

The Safe Water infrastructure Action Program (S.W.A.P.) is for drinking water, storm water, sanitary sewer and gas line infrastructure and is modeled on the popular and successful CHIPS program for local roads and bridges.  S.W.A.P. was conceived by Clifton Park Supervisor Phil Barrett, who brought the concept to Tedisco to craft into legislation (A.9651/S.7389).  Senator Phil Boyle (R-Suffolk County) is sponsoring the bill in the Senate.

Unlike, the current “Hunger Games-like” competitive grant program for water infrastructure that’s now in place and only benefits a few towns who win a grant chosen by the Administration, S.W.A.P. would provide annual funding to all municipalities in the state via a fair and transparent formula similar to the CHIPs program to allow them to identify and swap out old, deteriorating pipes, water mains and gas lines to better maintain the state’s infrastructure. 

Public hearings should investigate water contamination issues statewide

to give public answers about safety of New York State’s water supply

Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville), 49^th State Senate District candidate,  today is calling on the New York State Senate to join the state Assembly and the U.S. House of Representatives and hold public hearings on the safety of our state’s water supply.

In addition to focusing on the PFOA contamination issues in Hoosick Falls and Petersburgh, Tedisco wants the Senate, Assembly and congressional public hearings to take a holistic approach and investigate water contamination issues across the state including potentially in the 49^th Senate District as detailed in today’s Times Union.

Tedisco noted that in the 49^th Senate District, Schenectady County has a vital aquifer that needs to be protected and there is some concern about contamination in Fulton County.

“We are talking about people’s lives here. The public has a right to safe, reliable drinking water.  Every day it seems we hear about another disturbing situation where the potential safety of our drinking water may be compromised.  It’s time for all branches of our representative democracy to take this seriously, speak truth to power, and get some answers as to what is going on with our water supply,” said Tedisco.

Assemblyman launches his 2016 Safe Summer Bike Helmet Safety Program at Southern Saratoga YMCA Summer Camp in Clifton Park with Martin, Harding & Mazzotti, Stewart’s Shops, Friendly’s, Hayner’s Ice Cream Hall of Fame & Ben & Jerry’s to encourage kids to wear bike helmets for safety

Exercise safely this summer and get free ice cream to beat the heat. That’s the goal of the innovative Safe Summer Bike Helmet program founded by Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville). Tedisco is again partnering with 12 area police departments, local officials and businesses to launch the 2016 Safe Summer Bike Helmet program. 

Tedisco today joined local officials and businesses, police and kids at the Southern Saratoga YMCA summer camp in Clifton Park to kick-off this year’s program to distribute 5,000 “good tickets” for free ice cream to reward children who wear their helmets while bicycling, skateboarding, and rollerblading, and give free bike helmets to kids who need one.  Tedisco’s Safe Summer Program is in its 19^th consecutive year.

It’s the law in New York State that children up to age 14 must wear a bicycle helmet. According to the New York State Department of Health, an average of 54 New Yorkers are killed each year in bicycle crashes and 19,000 residents are treated at a hospital due to bike-related injuries. 

Head injuries are the leading cause of death and permanent disability in bicycle crashes, accounting for more than 60 percent of bike-related deaths. The cost of a bicycle helmet is approximately $20.00. The average charge for a hospital stay due to a bicycle related brain injury is $23,000 with an average length of stay of four days. In New York, annual hospitalization charges related to care for persons with a bicycle related brain injury is $20 million.

The Safe Summer Program aims to address these alarming statistics by using positive reinforcement to get all neighborhood kids into the habit of wearing their helmets for safe biking, in-line skating, or riding a skateboard or scooter.