U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, is an original co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation to expand the traditional parameters of federally funded day care to include night care.
Stefanik and two Democrats are original co-sponsors of the “After Hours Child Care Act,” which was introduced on May 24 by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa.
The proposed legislation, HR 3639, would expand the federal Child Care and Development Grant program to help establish new child care centers or expand existing ones to provide care during night and non-traditional work hours.
The federal program makes block grants available to states to distribute.
“Many working parents now struggle to find convenient child care options that make sense for their family,” Hinson said in a video announcing the legislation. “And that’s even harder for parents who don’t work a traditional 9-to-5: people like law enforcement officers, store clerks, emergency operators and nurses.”
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debt ceiling
U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, was one of six New York Democratic House members who voted in favor of the “Fiscal Responsibility Act,” which raised the federal debt ceiling.
Nine Democratic House members from New York voted against the legislation, which passed the House on May 31 on a 314-117 vote, according to the Library of Congress government information website.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, was among 10 New York House Republicans who voted in favor of the legislation.
Rep. George Santos, R-Long Island, was the only New York House Republican to vote against the legislation.
hot food
U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, is an original co-sponsor of bipartisan legislation to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, commonly known as food stamps, to be used to purchase hot prepared meals , such as roast chickens, soups and hot sandwiches. .
The legislation, HR 3519, which was introduced by Rep. Grace Meng, D-Queens, on May 18, would remove a restriction that SNAP benefits can only be used to purchase cold prepared foods or foods designed to be prepared at home.
“Families across America rely on SNAP benefits to make sure they have enough food for their children. Restricting a working mother by only allowing her to buy a frozen roast chicken, but not a hot one, is absurd and wrong,” Meng said in a press release.
The legislation had 34 co-sponsors, 30 Democrats and four Republicans, as of June 5, according to the Library of Congress government information website.
Veterans Program
State Sen. James Tedisco, R-Glenville, announced June 1 that legislation he introduced to establish an internship program for veterans in the state Legislature passed the Senate.
Ten percent of legislative internships will be reserved for veterans.
Senate interns in the program would receive a stipend of $50,000 each, and Assembly interns would receive a stipend of $17,000, the same amount provided to graduate student interns.
Joy changes the focus
Liz Lemery Joy, the 2020 and 2022 Republican challenger to U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, announced she will not run for Congress again in the 20th District in 2024.
Instead, he’s launching a statewide education campaign about “election integrity.”
“My mission has not changed,” Joy said in a press release.
Joy said she will contribute unused congressional campaign funds to the Harvest Church Distribution Center in Clifton Park, a nonprofit that distributes funds at no cost to charities in the Albany area.
native of Vermont
State Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, announced May 31 that he hosted Vermont state Rep. Jarrod Sammis, R-Castleton, on a visit to the New York State Assembly.
award
State Sen. James Tedisco, R-Glenville, announced May 31 that the Employer Support of the Guard organization presented him with a “Seven Seals Award,” recognizing his “meritorious support” in support of the National Guard and military reserves
Women of distinction
State Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Horicon, announced that he honored as “Women of Distinction” in the 114th District: Kailey Bacon, Maria Bagneschi, Elaine Brown, Rebecca Crowningshield, Maureen Dart, Karen DuRose, Amie Gonzales, Patricia Nugent, Deanne Rehm, Lorraine Ruffing, Amy Sabatis, Nan Scinta and Cara Talmadge.
Maury Thompson covered local government and politics for The Post-Star for 21 years before retiring in 2017. He continues to follow regional politics as a freelance writer.
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