Melody has deep roots in the Cayuga County community and a strong commitment to helping others, building relationships, and connecting residents with the resources they need. I’m delighted to welcome her to our team and have her serve constituents in Cayuga County from our Auburn office.

It was great to stop by Unity House’s Hamilton Avenue residence in Auburn to see the improvements they’ve made since they began managing the home earlier this year. Thank you to the entire team for all your hard work and for the care and support you provide to residents every day.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table at the Regional Market during Senior Nutrition Day. It was great to meet you, and I hope the information and resources we shared were helpful.

Great news! Governor Hochul is expanding the NY SWIMS Initiative. Now, children 12 and under can learn to swim for free. Learning to swim is a fun way to stay active and build the skills children need to stay safe around the water. YMCA in Syracuse and Auburn are participating in the program.

As we celebrate the 61st anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, we must also work to protect them. Recent Medicaid cuts put the health and financial security of families, seniors, and people with disabilities at risk. We should be strengthening these programs, not cutting them.

This new computer-based testing center is a big win for NYS employees in CNY. It'll make it easier and faster to take the civil service exams they need to advance their careers. Thank you to Commissioner Hogues for making this possible and for coming to Syracuse to celebrate the grand opening.

Central New York is home to outstanding colleges and universities, and it's important that we continue to invest in them. These grants will support renovations and new equipment, helping ensure students have the facilities they need to succeed.

It was great to join the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District for the Agricultural Environmental Management Farm Awards. Congrats to this year's honorees! Thank you for your commitment to agriculture and community, and for the hard work you do every day to protect natural resources.

It's exciting to see the progress InterFaith Works has made on its Welcome Home project. Later this year, it will provide six apartments for refugee families and individuals to stay while they settle and find a permanent home. I'm proud that my office was able to help support this important project.

Supporting workers means investing in more opportunities. From stronger retirement benefits to apprenticeship programs and workforce training, we're helping Central New Yorkers build rewarding careers.

Happy Fourth of July! As we celebrate 250 years of our nation's history, I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends. 🇺🇸

We're making historic investments in education because every student deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. This budget strengthens our schools, expands Pre-K, and delivers record investments in SUNY. This funding will help ensure CNY students have the tools they need to succeed.

It was great catching up with teachers at Syracuse STEAM High School to talk about the school's successful first year and what's ahead. They're excited to welcome more students from across Onondaga County and continue building on a strong start. We also toured the school's stunning auditorium.

New Yorkers are struggling with rising utility costs. That’s why the budget we passed this year puts ratepayers first by improving affordability, strengthening accountability for utility companies, and ensuring utility policies work for consumers.

The clouds parted, and the sun came out just in time for a wonderful Juneteenth celebration and flag raising at City Hall. It was great to see so many people come together to celebrate freedom and reflect on the importance of the Juneteenth holiday.

The Lead Freedom House gives families a safe, comfortable place to stay while their homes undergo lead remediation. I’m proud to have helped secure funding for renovations, and thanks to AG James’ additional support, this resource will continue serving Central New York families for years to come.

We spend a lot of time on the road, and drivers deserve safe, reliable infrastructure that meets their needs. That’s why the FY 2027 Budget includes nearly $50 million for road work across the 48th Senate District, making it easier to get where you need to go and keeping our communities connected.

Companies use personal data, like browsing history and device type, to charge people different prices for the same product. That kind of surveillance pricing is unfair, and we can’t allow it. My bill (S8623), which passed the Senate and Assembly, bans it and ensures transparency for consumers.

It's time to hit pause on new data centers and take the time to get this right. That's why I spoke in support of a one-year moratorium to give New York the time it needs to develop a smarter approach.

My Freedom to Read Act helps ensure that decisions about school library collections remain in the hands of trained professionals and protects students' access to a broad range of age-appropriate materials that explore diverse communities and experiences.

The Consumer Camera Privacy Act (S.9267) puts control back in consumers' hands, protects privacy, and ensures that camera owners are not unknowingly part of a surveillance network. We can keep our homes and families safe with these cameras while also protecting everyone’s personal privacy.

Happy Pride Month! This month, we celebrate LGBTQ+ New Yorkers and the wonderful ways in which they enrich our communities. I’m honored to be part of a state with a strong legacy of championing LGBTQ+ rights and equality.

New York library patrons deserve the freedom to explore a wide range of ideas, perspectives, and experiences. The Open Shelves Act (S.1100) protects that right by ensuring access to materials that encourage learning, critical thinking, and creativity.

Last night, we welcomed hard cider makers to Albany for my annual New York State of Cider event. It was a great opportunity for legislators to meet with cidery owners and representatives, learn more about the industry, and discuss ways to help these businesses continue to grow and thrive.

Congratulations to everyone at InterFaith Works on 50 years of service! The work you do to support refugees and strengthen our community is invaluable and has made Central New York and our whole society a better place.

I worked to ensure this year’s budget included language from my bill to streamline environmental review and reduce unnecessary barriers to construction, making it easier to build housing that is good for the climate. Thank you to everyone who advocated for these reforms. Now, let’s get building.

It is my privilege to induct Sergeant Jezebel McIntosh into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. Sergeant McIntosh served her country with distinction and has continued that service through her dedication to helping others.

Today, we honor the brave service members who gave their lives for our country. Their sacrifice, courage, and commitment to our freedom will always be remembered.

One of the most important responsibilities of government is making sure students have the tools they need to succeed. New York continues to invest in education, and this budget builds on that commitment. The Senate Majority fought to increase FOUNDATION AID by over $200 million.

The Auburn Housing Authority is receiving more than $3 million to help build 10 affordable homes. As housing demand continues to grow, these new homes will help more families achieve homeownership. Thank you to Governor Hochul and the Senate Majority for investing in housing for Central New Yorkers.