May 27, 2016 __ _
HAWLEY REMEMBERS, THANKS ALL WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia), the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and a veteran of the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, today remembered members of the United States Military who fought and gave their lives in service to our country and thanked those who still serve to defend our freedom.
“I would like to wish all the veterans and active military personnel in my district and throughout New York State a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend. Thank you for your courage and sacrifice which ensures our freedom and protects our way of life. I ask everyone, as you spend time with your family and friends this weekend, remember that freedom isn’t free and please take time to thank the veterans in your life,” said Hawley.
May 25, 2016 __ _
DOWNSTATE LIBERALS SHAMELESSLY BURY PENSION FORFEITURE
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) criticizes Assembly leadership for refusing to pass ethics reforms
“Each day that ethics reforms lie dormant is another stunning example of the Assembly leadership’s willingness to protect their cronies who have stolen from the public and abused their power. We were reassured by the new leadership that meaningful ethics reform would become a reality and now, over a year later, we are still waiting.
“Pension forfeiture for corrupt lawmakers is a common-sense reform that the overwhelming majority of the public supports, and downstate special interests are choosing to ignore reality and perpetuate wrongdoing. That is appalling. Corrupt lawmakers should never be carted off in handcuffs only to collect hundreds of thousands of taxpayer money for their years of criminal activities. My hope is that this bipartisan effort gets passed before the end of session, and I won’t stop fighting until it is a reality.”
May 18, 2016 __ _
NEW YORK CITY LIBERALS BLOCK WELFARE REFORM
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today bashed downstate members of the Assembly’s Social Services Committee for blocking legislation to curb the bloating and rampant abuse of New York’s welfare programs. The bill, A.3960, authored by Hawley, would place a 90 day residency requirement on individuals applying for social services benefits in the state.
“New York is quickly becoming the nationwide safe haven for those looking to live off of our state’s taxpayers,” Hawley said. “Nearly a third of our state’s budget, over $50 billion, is spent on Medicaid alone, and we spent more on Medicaid in 2014 than Texas and Florida combined. It is for these reasons that people are moving into our state and immediately applying for social services, which places an added burden on taxpayers and perpetuates rampant abuse that people are sick and tired of. By enacting a 90-day residency requirement, we can assure individuals are moving here permanently, will pay taxes for an extended period of time, and contribute to society instead of taking free handouts from the government.”
May 13, 2016 __ _
HAWLEY ANNOUNCES 9th ANNUAL PATRIOT TRIP TO HONOR LOCAL VETS
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) joined veterans and their family members in Washington D.C. during last year’s Patriot Trip
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced his 9th annual Patriot Trip to Washington D.C. will take place September 15 – September 18. Over 100 veterans and their family members participated in the 2015 trip, which included stories of valiant service members and valuable time spent together reflecting on the courage and dedication exhibited by our nation’s veterans. Hawley is a longtime supporter of veterans and currently serves as the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. The trip can accommodate about 100 veterans and family members so those looking to sign up should do so as soon as possible.
“I look forward to this trip each year as a way to give back to those who have served our country and remember those who have perished in combat,” Hawley said. “I came up with this idea following a similar trip I took with my father, a World War II veteran. Through the experiences of my father and my own service in the Ohio Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, I have gained a tremendous understanding and respect for the sacrifices endured by our veterans. It is for this reason that I continue the Patriot Trip each year and encourage my constituents who are veterans to sign up as soon as possible.”
Attractions Hawley plans to visit this year on the trip include:
WWII Memorial
Korean War Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Iwo Jima – The Marine Corps Memorial
American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
Air Force Memorial
911 Memorial at the Pentagon
Arlington National Cemetery, including the Changing of the Guard
Wreath Laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns – Vietnam Veterans
Space is limited and signups are first come, first served, with priority given to the oldest veterans and first-time attendees. Immediate family members may accompany a veteran. If you or a veteran want more information about this year’s Patriot Trip IX, please call 585-589-5780 or email [email protected]. To view photos from previous years, use the following link: http://vetsdctrip2008.shutterfly.com/.
May 11, 2016 __ _
NEW YORK CITY LIBERALS BLOCK PATHWAY TO COLLEGE FOR MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today blasted downstate liberal members of the Assembly’s Higher Education Committee for voting down legislation that would have increased the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) award available to prospective college students in New York State. Instead of expanding college affordability for citizens, the Assembly Majority has instead sided with illegal immigrants and voted to allow them taxpayer-funded college tuition they call “The Dream Act” and Hawley refers to as “The Nightmare Act”.
“What kind of message are downstate politicians sending the struggling families out there working two jobs or overtime to provide their children with a college education,” Hawley said. “Middle-class families deserve a break, and with skyrocketing college costs, we should be doing everything possible to make a college education a reality for our citizens. Add this bill to the long list of higher education initiatives blocked by New York City liberals to pump more resources, taxpayer money and freebies into their downstate voting bloc.”
May 9, 2016 __ _
HAWLEY INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO CURB EXPENSES FOR LOCALITIES
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) today announced he has introduced legislation mandating that counties be reimbursed for the increase in state judges’ and county district attorney salaries set to take place this year. In December 2015, the New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation recommended a salary increase for all state judges and county district attorneys in 2016 and 2018.
“This is yet another expensive Albany mandate that, if unaddressed, will hit the wallets of taxpayers the hardest,” Hawley said. “Our state judges and district attorneys do a superb job enforcing the law and bringing criminals to justice, but, as a proponent of local control, I contend that bureaucrats should not be telling our counties what they must pay local officials. Many upstate counties’ budgets are already consumed by expensive costs like Medicaid, which, in some instances, comprise at least 90 percent of the county budget. Spending decisions like these should either be covered by the state or left up to local control. Taxpayers should not be forced to pay for Albany’s irresponsible spending epidemic.”
May 3, 2016 __ _
SILVER STAYS ON THE TAXPAYER DIME, FROM SUIT TO JUMPSUIT
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) issues statement on the sentencing of Sheldon Silver
“I am glad to finally see Sheldon Silver meet the fate he deserves. I am extremely dismayed to hear that he will be receiving a near six figure taxpayer-funded pension behind bars. No one who purposely betrays the public for decades and denigrates his/her office like Silver should receive any form of taxpayer-funded pension. The Assembly Majority promised us comprehensive ethics reform months ago. Since then they have ignored the desires of New Yorkers in exchange for protecting one of their own. Corruption in Albany should not be business as usual and I will continue to beat the drum for a return to integrity here in the Capitol.”
