Press Releases
SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO EXAMINE OUTDATED FLOOD MAPS IN JOHNSTOWN; CURRENT MAPS, WHICH DATE BACK TO 1983, FORCE MANY FAMILIES & BUSINESS OWNERS TO PAY TOP DOLLAR FOR UNNECESSARY FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS – SCHUMER URGES FEMA TO MAKE CRITICAL UPDATES TO FLOOD MAPS THAT COULD SAVE 50 PROPERTIES FROM BEING SUBJECT TO EXCESSIVE FLOOD INSURANCE PREMIUMS
Recent Study Reveals That Johnstown Shopping Center on North Comrie Ave Has Been Improperly Placed into A Flood Zone Since 1983 & Engineers Predict That Up to 50 Properties Surrounding the Mall Are Also Improperly Placed In Flood Zone, Meaning Homeowners & Businesses Must Pay High Costs For Flood Insurance Each Month For No Reason - There Very Well Could Be More Homes & Businesses Throughout Johnstown That Have Been Misplaced Too Schumer Says Flood Maps Currently In Use Overestimat… Continue Reading
04.10.15
SCHUMER: WAR ON DRUGS IS RAGING IN BROOME COUNTY AND THE FEDS NEED TO GET MORE INVOLVED – SENATOR LAUNCHES PUSH TO DESIGNATE BROOME AS HIGH-INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREA, WHICH WILL MEAN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, INTELLIGENCE, AND COORDINATION TO HELP DISRUPT TRAFFICKING; EFFORT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE IN OTHER NEW YORK AREAS
Broome County Has Experienced Explosion of Drug Use Including Heroin & Meth, As Well As Drug-Related Crime - Broome County Has Fourth Highest Meth Lab Seizure Rate in of All NYS & Heroin And Drug-Related Overdose Deaths in Broome Have Quadrupled Over Last 5 Years Schumer Calls on Fed. Office of Drug Control to Designate Broome County A 'High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area,' Which Will Provide Much-Needed Resources to Help County Address Growing Drug Problem Schumer: Broome Count… Continue Reading
04.10.15
SCHUMER, STANDING WITH HARRIET TUBMAN’S RELATIVES, URGES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO PUT TUBMAN PARK ON FAST TRACK & FINALIZE DETAILS TO GET TUBMAN PARK UP & RUNNING ASAP—SENATOR SAYS PARK SERVICE NEEDS TO WORK WITH LOCALS ON PREPARING PROPERTY FOR TRANSFER TO FEDS & OVERCOME LAST REMAINING OBSTACLES STANDING IN WAY
Schumer Fought To Pass Legislation Authorizing A National Historical Park Honoring The Life of American Hero Harriet Tubman at Her Auburn Home-But Obstacles Still Remain To Open Park Schumer Says Feds Must Work With Locals To Make Tubman Park Eligible For Necessary & Crucial Federal Funding; As Official Unit Of National Park Service, Auburn Will Be Eligible For Entirely New Revenue Stream Schumer to NPS: In The Spirit Of Tubman, Work With Local Advocates To Make Park A Reality Today, … Continue Reading
04.09.15
SCHUMER LAUNCHES MAJOR PUSH TO NAME NEW SI FERRY BOAT AFTER PROMINENT STATEN ISLAND ICON, FORMER BOROUGH PRESIDENT JAMES MOLINARO; SENATOR SECURED MILLIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TWO NEW VESSELS & IS URGING NYCDOT TO NAME A NEW FERRY IN HONOR OF THIS STATEN ISLAND WARRIOR
Current Staten Island Ferry Fleet is Named After Prominent Figures Like John F. Kennedy & Senator John Marchi; NYCDOT Makes Final Decision on the Names of the New SI Vessels Schumer Pushes NYCDOT to Name New SI Ferry After James Molinaro for His Dedication & Commitment to Staten Islanders; Senator Says Former BP Molinaro is a Terrific Leader & Should Be Honored for His Work on Staten Island, Particularly In the Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, After Senator's Push, Schumer Secured … Continue Reading
04.09.15
SCHUMER: WITH ONLY 1 FEDERAL RAILROAD INSPECTOR FOR ALL 3,000 TRAIN BRIDGES IN NYS, WHICH ARE NOW CARRYING DANGEROUS CRUDE OIL TRAINS, SENATOR CALLS FOR MORE RAILROAD BRIDGE INSPECTORS
Schumer Says Having One Bridge Safety Specialist Puts New Yorkers Directly At Risk; Inspector Is Responsible For Auditing Safety Of Bridges Not Only In New York, But 13 Other States - While Railroads Are Responsible To Fix Their Own Bridges, Fed Inspector Has the Impossible Task to Audit All Privately Owned NY Bridges Schumer Says Increasing The Amount Of Federal Railroad Bridge Inspectors Should Be A Main Priority; An Outside Monitor Is Essential To Maintaining the Safety of NY Rail Bridges… Continue Reading
04.08.15
SCHUMER: NEW FEDERAL DATA SHOWS COUNTERFEIT MONEY IS GREATLY INCREASING ON LONG ISLAND, LEAVING LOCAL BUSINESSES, LIKE CHURCHILL’S RESTAURANT & KASEY’S KITCHEN, HIGH & DRY WHEN THEY ATTEMPT TO DEPOSIT FAKE BILLS – SENATOR URGES SECRET SERVICE TO STEP-UP EFFORTS ON LONG ISLAND TO COMBAT COUNTERFEIT BILLS—HELP LOCAL RETAILERS IDENTIFY FAKE CURRENCY
Long Island Authorities Have Identified At Least $3 Million in Counterfeit Money In Circulation Throughout Nassau & Suffolk Area, But This Amount Likely Only Scratches The Surface; More Could Be Exchanging Hands Without Consumers or Retailers Knowing - Local Shop Owners & Residents Have Little Recourse When They Try To Deposit Fake Currency At Their Local Bank Schumer Calls On Secret Service To Enhance Coordination With Local Law Enforcement, Identify Potential Counterfeit Hot Spots &a… Continue Reading
04.07.15
SCHUMER: FEDS MUST PROVIDE FUNDS TO HELP REPAIR HUGE SINK HOLE IN DOWNTOWN KINGSTON; $7+ MILLION DOLLAR COST IS OUT OF REACH FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT—FEMA MUST UPDATE ITS POLICY AND ALLOW COMMUNITIES LIKE KINGSTON TO GET FED AID FOR SINKHOLE REPAIRS
Schumer Says Sinkhole Damages Are Too Expensive For Many Local Governments To Pay; It's Unfair To Put Such A Large Financial Burden On The Backs Of Local Governments, Especially For A Project Like Kingston's That Costs $7 Million or More - Major Weather Events Like Irene Exacerbate Sinkholes; Funding Could Help Mitigate Future Disaster Impacts Kingston Sinkhole Has Kept Section of Washington Ave. Closed For Over 3 Years, Inconveniencing Drivers & Residents, And Hurting Downtown Developme… Continue Reading
04.07.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $600,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR MONROE COUNTY
Eastman Business Park Will Use Funding For Manufacturing And Job Creation Opportunities In Rochester U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $611,000 in federal funding for Eastman Business Park. The funding was allocated through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and will be used to develop the Innovation, Manufacturing, and Material Science Institute (IMMSI) accelerator at Eastman Business Park. The project aims to provide technology entrepreneurs wi… Continue Reading
04.07.15
SCHUMER: CRAFT BREWING IS ON THE RISE IN DUTCHESS COUNTY BUT BREWERS NEED ACCESS TO LOCALLY-GROWN MALT BARLEY FOR INDUSTRY TO THRIVE; LOCAL FARMERS HESITANT TO GROW CROP DUE TO LACK OF FED INSURANCE – SCHUMER LAUNCHES PUSH TO ESTABLISH ESSENTIAL CROP INSURANCE FOR DUTCHESS COUNTY MALT BARLEY FARMERS
Insurance Currently Available to Farmers Growing Malt Barley In Other States, But Not NYS; Sec. of Agriculture Could Fix It Unilaterally, No Legislation Required - Schumer Calls on Feds to Prioritize & Fast-Track Vital Malt Barley Crop Insurance for NYS Farmers, Including Many in the Hudson Valley; Crop Is Risky, But Absolutely Vital For Farm Brewers Dutchess County Is Becoming Major Hub For Farm Brewing - Due To NYS Law, Over Next Decade Most NYS Craft Brewers Will Be Required To Source 90… Continue Reading
04.07.15
SCHUMER URGES FEDS TO BE READY TO IMMEDIATELY EXPEDITE APPROVALS FOR NEW PORT JERVIS WATER PARK, WHICH COULD BRING IN OVER 500,000 TOURISTS PER YEAR & PROVIDE MAJOR BOOST TO LOCAL ECONOMY— A PROJECT WITH SUCH HUGE POTENTIAL SHOULD NOT GET STUCK IN BUREAUCRATIC RED TAPE
New Port Jervis White Water Kayak Park Will Need Approval From Fed Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, As Well as U.S. Army Corps; Without Approvals, It Is Difficult for Town To Raise $2-$4 Million in Start-Up Funds - Park Could Draw Over 500K Visitors From Around The World; Port Jervis And The Surrounding Area Would Greatly Benefit Schumer Says The Park Has The Potential To Bring In Upwards of $33.6 Million Annually, While Also Supporting Close to 400 Jobs; Could Help Tackle the Local 17.7% Po… Continue Reading
04.06.15
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: “PREPARE FOR TAKEOFF”; JETBLUE AIRWAYS WILL BEGIN LONG-AWAITED ALBANY FLIGHTS ON DECEMBER 10TH WITH NON-STOP SERVICE TO FT. LAUDERDALE & ORLANDO – FLIGHTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ONLINE STARTING TODAY; WILL ENABLE CAPITAL REGION TRAVELERS TO FLY DIRECTLY TO FLORIDA WITHOUT LAYOVERS
Schumer Pushed Hard To Bring JetBlue To Albany Int'l; These Flights Will Hopefully Be First Of Many-Bringing Affordable Air Service To Upstate NY Has Been One Of Senator's Major Priorities Low-Cost, Daily Service A Major Win for Capital Region Residents & Businesses, Who Will See New Flights and Cheaper Prices - Region has a Growing Population, Stable Job Market, & Demand for Affordable Carrier Schumer: JetBlue Flights Out Of Albany Are Now Cleared for Takeoff! Today, at… Continue Reading
04.06.15
SCHUMER: NEW NUMBERS SHOW COUNTERFEIT MONEY HAS BECOME AN EPIDEMIC IN SYRACUSE; MANY LOCAL STORES HAVE SUFFERED IN THE LAST MONTH & ARE LEFT HIGH AND DRY WHEN THEY GO TO DEPOSIT FAKE BILLS – SCHUMER URGES SECRET SERVICE TO STEP UP EFFORTS TO COMBAT COUNTERFEIT BILLS & PROVIDE RESOURCES TO HELP LOCAL SYRACUSE RETAILERS IDENTIFY FAKE CURRENCY
Syracuse Authorities Have Identified Approximately $100,000 of Counterfeit Money Currently In Circulation in Syracuse Area, But This Amount Likely Only Scratches The Surface; Hundreds of Thousands More Could Be Exchanging Hands Without Consumers or Retailers Knowing - Local Shop Owners & Residents Have Little Recourse When They Try To Deposit Fake Currency Schumer Calls On Secret Service To Enhance Coordination With Local Law Enforcement, Identify Potential Counterfeit Hot Spots & Ed… Continue Reading
04.06.15
SCHUMER CELEBRATES OPENING OF NEW CONSTANTINO’S GROCERY STORE; SUPERMARKET DESPERATELY NEEDED IN MT. HOPE AREA SET TO OPEN THIS WEEK IN ROCHESTER’S COLLEGE TOWN – SCHUMER LEADS FIRST LOOK AT NEW 21,000 SQUARE FOOT STORE
Schumer Pushed to Secure Major Fed Funds to Jumpstart Constantino's Grocery Store - All Part of Effort to Create Urban Village Center, Support Job Growth & Spur Economic Development Throughout College Town Area Constantino's Market Was Looking to Open In Rochester, But First Needed to Secure Start-Up Funds to Make Project a Reality - Schumer Urged HHS to Approve Game-Changing Loan Through 'Community Economic Development Healthy Food Financing Initiative’ Schumer: With The Oasis of A… Continue Reading
04.02.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEARLY $2 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NEW SYRACUSE JOB TRAINING PROGRAM
Syracuse One of Nine Funding Recipients Selected from Across the Country to Launch Program Connecting Public Housing Residents with Education and Employment Opportunities U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,977,607 in federal funding for the Syracuse Housing Authority to launch a new job training program that connects public housing residents with education and employment opportunities. SHA will use the funding to launch the "Work to Independence" in pa… Continue Reading
04.02.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND MAKE FINAL PUSH TO URGE DEPT. OF DEFENSE TO SELECT ROCHESTER-SUNY PROPOSAL IN COMPETITION FOR $110 MILLION TO CREATE NEW NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PHOTONICS – SENATORS SAY NEW YORK IS WELL-POSITIONED TO WIN, AS HOME OF WORLD’S GREATEST CONCENTRATION OF EXPERTISE IN OPTICS, PHOTONICS, IMAGING
Schumer & Gillibrand In January Announced That Rochester-SUNY Proposal Advanced to Final Round of Competition; Now, Defense Department is Evaluating Finalists in Competition for Federal Funds To Establish New "Institute for Manufacturing Innovation" with Focus on Photonics - Schumer & Gillibrand Say NYS Proposal Backed by UR, RIT, SUNY Poly, Others Would Create New Photonic Assembly & Packing Facility in Rochester Photonics Hub Has Potential to Boost Manufacturing Innovation, Dev… Continue Reading
04.01.15
WITH AIR FORCE DECISION IMMINENT ON FINALISTS FOR KC-46A BED DOWN, SCHUMER MAKES CALL TO AIR FORCE SECRETARY URGING HER TO PUT NFARS ON THE SHORT LIST – SCHUMER SAYS NFARS WOULD BE A GREAT HOME FOR NEW KC-46A TANKERS
Schumer Called Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James To Urge Her To Strongly Support The Selection Of Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station (NFARS) For The Final Round Of Bases To Get A Site Survey For Air Force Tanker Plane Called The KC-46A Schumer Says Niagara Falls Air Station Is In A Strategically Valuable Location And Plays A Critical Role In Our National Security Schumer To Air Force Secretary: Make NFARS A Finalist for KC-46A Tankers With the Air Force set to decide in the… Continue Reading
04.01.15
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE HAS AGREED TO PURCHASE $9.6 MILLION IN SURPLUS CONCORD GRAPE JUICE TO STABILIZE PRICES FOR GRAPE GROWERS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
$9.6 Million "Bonus Buy" Will Help Stabilize Prices Farmers Receive for their Grapes After a Large 2014 Crop, Bolster Rural Economies Across New York - Western New York, Finger Lakes & CNY Are Home to Concord Grape Growers and Juice Coops USDA Funding Will Be Used to Purchase Juice for Domestic Food Assistance Programs Schumer, Gillibrand: USDA Surplus Purchase a Win-Win for Upstate New York Growers and Nutrition Assistance Programs Today, U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer an… Continue Reading
03.31.15
SCHUMER: NEW I-95 TOLLS PLACED BY CONNECTICUT ON NY BORDER COULD BACK UP 14,000 TRUCKS AND CARS & DIVERT TRAFFIC INTO RYE & PORT CHESTER, OVERWHELMING LOCAL STREETS AS DRIVERS AVOID TOLL; PLAN SHOULD NOT PROGRESS WITHOUT ADEQUATE COMMUNITY INPUT – SCHUMER CALLS ON CT OFFICIALS TO LISTEN TO AND INCORPORATE NY CONCERNS BEFORE MOVING FORWARD
Local Communities Fear New Toll on I-95 Might Divert Traffic Into Rye & Port Chester That Towns Cannot Handle - 140,000 Cars & Trucks Per Day Travel Along Corridor; If Even A Handful Choose To Use Local Roads, Could Hurt Emergency Response Times & Local Business Activity, Pollute Neighborhoods & Create Traffic Headaches Schumer Says NY Concerns Should Be Taken Into Consideration & Necessary Fed Approval Should Not Be Granted if Rye & Port Chester Are Ignored - Tolls Cou… Continue Reading
03.31.15
FOLLOWING KICK-OFF OF MAPLE TAPPING SEASON, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES PUSH FOR FED FUNDS TO SUPPORT AND ENHANCE THE GROWTH OF THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF NYS MAPLE SYRUP INDUSTRY
Schumer Pushes For $5 Million For Fed Program That Will Help Increase Production, Strengthen Conservation And Drive Efficiency In Maple Sugaring - Would Be Big Win For NYS Maple Producers U.S. Maple Production Has Nearly Doubled In The Last Decade Thanks To Recent Innovations In Vacuum Tubing, Sanitation Practices, & Better Taps - Schumer Push For Fed Funding Could Lead To Even More Growth Here in NY Schumer: We Must Invest In Maple To Continue Growing This Great NYS Industry Toda… Continue Reading
03.30.15
SCHUMER: NEW DISTILLERIES ARE PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE IN BUFFALO'S TRANSFORMATION & POSITIONING WNY AS CENTER OF DISTILLING BOOM, BUT THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE MALT BARLEY THEY NEED DUE TO RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH GROWING THE CROP – SCHUMER LAUNCHES PUSH TO ESTABLISH ESSENTIAL CROP INSURANCE FOR WNY MALT BARLEY FARMERS
Insurance Currently Available to Farmers Growing Malt Barley In Other States, But Not NYS; Sec. of Agriculture Could Fix It Unilaterally, No Legislation Required - Schumer Calls on Feds to Prioritize & Fast-Track Vital Malt Barley Crop Insurance for NYS Farmers, Including Many in WNY; Crop Is Risky, But Absolutely Vital For Farm Brewers & Distillers With 4 Distilleries Already Open In WNY & 3 More Set To Open in 2015, Region Is Becoming Major Hub For Farm Distilling - Due To NYS La… Continue Reading
