• Tour of SUNY New Paltz
• Constituent Meetings
• Legislative Corner
• Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress
• Donate Life Forum
• National Park Week

I recently toured SUNY New Paltz with President Donald Christian to visit some of the facilities on campus. I was particularly impressed with the engineering and science programs and what they mean for current and future students. SUNY New Paltz is a great higher education institution that is helping to produce the leaders of tomorrow!

This week I also met with constituents throughout the 19^th District. I appreciate everyone who participated and advocated for their issues, from immigration to healthcare to the environment. Check out some of the photos from the week here.

Veterans Choice Program Extended

This week President Trump signed into law the Veterans Choice Program Extension and Improvement Act. I supported the legislation because it maintains healthcare choice for veterans by eliminating the original August 7 sunset date for the Veterans Choice Program.

The legislation allows veterans to seek care outside of the VA if the closest VA medical clinic or hospital is more than 40 miles away or if patients have waited over 30 days to receive care.

While more must be done to guarantee that those who have defended our freedoms have access to the best medical care, this bill was an important step in the right direction. Democrats and Republicans must continue to work together for the health and honor of our veterans in order to realize President Lincoln’s solemn promise: “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan … ."

Protecting Our Environment

Recently I submitted a number of written requests to the House Appropriations Committee calling for funding for a variety of environmental and conservation-related programs. I was proud to request robust funding to support the newly created Delaware River Basin Restoration Program, which will coordinate federal, state, and local practices to identify and implement important habitat-restoration activities throughout the Basin. Projects funded through this program will protect drinking water, mitigate flooding, restore habitat, and support our local economies of the Basin region. 

Additionally, I requested funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund to ensure that we are able to permanently protect our parks, wildlife refuges, and historic sites. Protecting New York’s most cherished spaces and safeguarding recreational access for our outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen and women remains a top priority for me.

I spoke with Representative Sean Patrick Maloney at Marist College about bipartisan solutions to some of our nation’s biggest challenges. The Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress “Across the Aisle” discussion was also an opportunity to take questions from our audience on topics such as healthcare, the environment, and infrastructure. Watch the Spectrum News coverage of the event here.

April is National Donate Life Month. I joined Sullivan County Treasurer Nancy Buck, Roscoe Central School District Superintendent John Evans, and the Alliance for Donation at a forum which included high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Roscoe, Downsville, and Livingston Manor school districts to discuss recent legislation that allows 16- and 17-year-old students to make the decision to become organ, eye, and tissue donors. It was great to see all the students who attended and their enthusiasm to get involved and learn more about how they can help save a life.

It’s National Park Week! Find your park and take advantage of free admission to any national park in the US this weekend!