Press Releases
SCHUMER CALLS FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO DEBT COLLECTORS THAT SHAKE DOWN RELATIVES OF DECEASED DEBTORS
WASHINGTON , DC- Following a meeting with the new chairman of the Federal Trade Commission yesterday, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer (DNY) on Wednesday urged a federal investigation into debt collection companies that pursue payments from relatives of deceased debtors, saying the practice appears to violate existing law. "These companies call surviving relatives, often shortly after the death of a loved one, to coax or cajole them into making payments on the deceased relative's cred… Continue Reading
03.11.09
SCHUMER REVEALS GROUNDBREAKING NEW STUDY FROM VOTING EXPERTS: UP TO 7 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS WERE PREVENTED OR DISCOURAGED FROM CASTING BALLOTS IN '08 ELECTION
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Chairman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, announced Wednesday that, according to a groundbreaking new study conducted by leading election experts, as many as seven million registered voters were prevented or discouraged from casting their ballots in the 2008 election, demonstrating major malfunctions in the country's election process. "This report is beyond troubling. Hidden in the excitement of this past election was the fact that mill… Continue Reading
03.11.09
SCHUMER TO FEMA: TOWN OF HANCOCK HAS WAITED FAR TOO LONG FOR AUTHORIZATION TO RELOCATE AND REBUILD HIGHWAY GARAGE BUILDING - URGES EXPEDITED APPROVAL FOR NEW PLAN
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expedite approval for the demolition and relocation plans for the Town of Hancock's Highway Garage building that was submerged in seven feet of water during the June 2006 floods. After FEMA initially agreed to fund repairs, additional damages were uncovered, and the original location was deemed unsafe for reconstruction. Six months ago, the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) and town … Continue Reading
03.10.09
SCHUMER, LEE URGE IRS AND TREASURY DEPT TO REVERSE DECISION TO CUT PRIVATE DEBT COLLECTION PROGRAM THAT IS A CORNERSTONE OF BUSINESS AT PIONEER; PUSH TO ALLOW PROGRAM TO OPERATE FULLY BEFORE VERDICT IS MADE
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 In an effort to further safeguard 90 jobs in Arcade, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Christopher J. Lee today urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Department of the Treasury (DOT) to reverse its decision to terminate the Public Debt Collection Program (PDC). The IRS has continually threatened to shut down the PDC since 2006… Continue Reading
03.10.09
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES CRITICAL $300 MILLION INFUSION TO NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE CORPS; PROGRAM VITAL TO RECRUITING DOCTORS AND DENTISTS TO UNDERSERVED AREAS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that became law on February 17, 2009 will provide $300 million in federal money to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) - part of the Health Resource and Service Administration (HRSA) - a program that recruits physicians and dentists to underserved communities across the country. This new infusion of funding is triple the amount of money that was available last year. The program helps to br… Continue Reading
03.06.09
SCHUMER, LOWEY, AMICONE ANNOUNCE $400,000 FOR CITY OF YONKERS; MONEY WILL IMPROVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIME BY CREATING 311 CALL CENTER, FREEING 911 FOR TRUE EMERGENCIES
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Yonkers Mayor Phil Amicone today announced that the Omnibus appropriations bill includes $400,000 for the City of Yonkers for its 311 communication center and will help improve emergency response time across the city. The 311 system will establish a new community relations management system that will help the City Government be more responsive to the needs of residents and visitors. Senator Schumer and Rep. Lowey worked to include thi… Continue Reading
03.05.09
SCHUMER INTRODUCES BILL TO STOP "COW TAX," PUTS NAIL IN COFFIN OF INANE PROPOSAL THAT COULD COST NYS FARMERS AN ESTIMATED $120 MILLION
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator John R. Thune today introduced a bill that will once and for all prevent the government from imposing an onerous "cow tax" on farmers across the country and across New York State. Late last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discussed regulating greenhouse gases in its Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking under the 1990 amendments to the Clean Air Act, which could include requiring farmers to purchase expensive permits. Although t… Continue Reading
03.04.09
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $80,000 IN FIRE GRANTS COMING TO CUYLER FIRE DISTRICT
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that a $82,589 grant will be awarded to the Cuyler Fire District through the 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This grant is designed to strengthen the response programs of fire departments throughout the country and will be used for operations and safety. "This is great news for our emergency responders at the Cuyler Fire District," said Schumer. "These grants… Continue Reading
02.25.09
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES NEARLY $150,000 IN FIRE GRANTS COMING TO CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that Chauta uqua County will receive $145,825 through the 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Co. will receive $40,375 and Lakewood Fire Department will receive $105,450. These grants are designed to strengthen the response programs of fire departments throughout the co… Continue Reading
02.25.09
SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $300,000 IN FIRE GRANTS COMING TO FOUR ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES REGION
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that $306,446 in grants will be awarded to four fire departments in the RochesterFinger Lakes region through the 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Bushnell's Basin Fire Department will receive $121,085, the Livonia Joint Fire District will receive $112,100, the Rush Fire District will receiv… Continue Reading
02.25.09
SCHUMER CONGRATULATES LOCAL JAZZ BAND ALBUM & PRODUCER AFTER BIG GRAMMY WIN - AWARD TO BRING RECOGNITION AND FUNDING TO LOCAL BANDS AND PROMOTE ARTISTS IN THE AREA
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today congratulated the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and its producer in a personal letter for their Grammy Award win for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. The Catskillbased label won the award for their live rendition of "Monday Night at the Village Vanguard," recorded by the New York City based band. The studio hopes the recognition that comes with winning the award will help the company move forward with its current projects. To recognize and honor the… Continue Reading
02.24.09
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL INCLUDES $950,000 FOR NIAGARA FALLS INTERNATIONAL RAILWAY STATION
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Omnibus appropriations bill includes $950,000 for the City of Niagara Falls International Railway Station Project. The funding would be used to improve railway infrastructure and aid in the construction of a railway center/transportation center building. The bill will now proceed to the House and Senate Floors as the next critical next steps in the appropriations process. "With hundreds of thou… Continue Reading
02.24.09
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL INCLUDES $950,000 FOR WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Omnibus Appropriations Bill includes $950,000 for the Walkway Over the Hudson. The funding would be used to transform the historic PoughkeepsieHighland railroad bridge into the world's longest elevated pedestrian walkways. The bill will now proceed to the House and Senate Floors as the next steps in the appropriations process. "The Walkway Bridge is poised to become one of the greatest tourist a… Continue Reading
02.24.09
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL INCLUDES OVER $380,000 FOR ROCHESTER'S GEORGE EASTMAN HOUSE
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Omnibus appropriations bill includes $381,000 for the George Eastman House in Rochester. The funding would be used to preserve and allow access to museum library collections through new Web applications. The bill will now proceed to the House and Senate Floors as the next step in the appropriations process. "This is terrific news for the entire Rochester community," said Schumer. "The Ge… Continue Reading
02.24.09
SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, HIGGINS ANNOUNCE OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS BILL INCLUDES $475,000 FOR LONG-SOUGHT RAILWAY "QUIET ZONE" THE TOWN OF HAMBURG
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Brian Higgins today announced that the Omnibus appropriations bill will include $475,000 for the Town of Hamburg. The funding would be used to design, purchase, and install supplemental safety measures at four highway grade crossings within the Town, and would designate a 4.5 mile long quiet zone along Hamburg's railroad tracks to alleviate noise from passing trains. The bill will now proceed to the House and Senate Floor… Continue Reading
02.23.09
AS VACANT HOUSING CRISIS CONTINUES TO PLAGUE BUFFALO AREA...SCHUMER, HIGGINS ANNOUNCE MAJOR PUSH TO BRING PILOT PROGRAM TO WNY TO REBUILD & REHAB VACANT HOMES; WOULD DELIVER ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO FIGHT THE HOUSING BLIGHT
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Congressman Brian Higgins today announced their new legislation to help combat the vacant housing blight in the Buffalo area and across the country. The new legislation would create a pilot program, which Schumer and Higgins today vowed to fight to implement in Buffalo, that would send grants and flexible funding to 15 small cities and 15 large cities across the country to help address vacant properties. The legislation is a new and innovative approach to figh… Continue Reading
02.16.09
STANDING WITH GREENE COUNTY LEGISLATORS:SCHUMER ANNOUNCES: FED ECONOMIC STIMULUS PLAN WILL BRING $5.3 MILLION IN DIRECT BUDGET AID FOR GREENE COUNTY; SAYS FUNDING WILL EASE CRUSHING PROPERTY TAX BURDEN ON HOMEOWNERS
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 With New York State counties and localities facing historic budget deficits, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that Greene County will receive $5.3 million in direct budget relief, according to the Government Accountability Office, of the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) to help stave off property tax hikes and close budget gaps. Schumer successfully pushed in Congress to ensure that counties and locali… Continue Reading
02.04.09
SCHUMER HELPS TO BROKER DEAL TO SAVE MAKERS OF DRAKES COFFEE CAKE - PRESERVES 230 JOBS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that he successfully helped broker a deal between International Bakeries Corporation (IBC) and General Electric (GE) that ensures the company can now emerge from bankruptcy, preserving the jobs of the 230 Upstate New Yorkers who work for Drakes Coffee Cakes. Schumer said that the company is a critical employer across New York State and, had a deal not been reached, the compan… Continue Reading
01.30.09
SENATORS SCHUMER AND GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $1.7 MILLION FOR PLATTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,700,000 in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funding for the Plattsburgh International Airport. The grant will be used to construct a parking lot. "This is great news for the North Country residents and businesses who depend on Plattsburgh International for their travel needs," said Senator Schumer. "Plattsburgh International is an integral part of the region's economy and these federal dolla… Continue Reading
01.29.09
IN WAKE OF PFIZER'S ACQUISITION OF WYETH, SCHUMER LOBBIES PFIZER CEO TO HONOR AKRIMAX TAKEOVER OF ROUSES POINT PLANT
On the heels of Pfizer Inc's announcement this week that it plans to buy Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which has a Clinton County plant in Rouses Point employing hundreds of local workers, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer personally lobbied the company to ensure the jobs at the plant are kept intact as the facility transitions to new ownership. A community mainstay in Rouses Point, the plant currently employs 650 local residents but Wyeth has sold the plant to Akrimax Pharmaceuticals. In a… Continue Reading
