Tag Archives: senator James Seward

March is Red Cross Month: Get to know this important organization

March is American Red Cross Month, a time to recognize the efforts of the professionals and volunteers who constitute the caring and compassionate organization.

Inspired by the International Red Cross, Clara Barton founded the American version of the humanitarian agency in 1881.

Early efforts centered on assisting the U.S. military with various relief programs along with serving as a medium of communication between members of the American armed forces and their families.

Prior to World War I, the Red Cross introduced its first aid, water safety and public nursing programs.

A national blood program, for use by the armed forces, was initiated during World War II.  Continue reading →

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Fine tuning the state budget while striving to deliver it on time

A number of important issues are under discussion in Albany and development of the state budget is at the top of the list.

With just over a month to go before the April first deadline to complete work on the 2014-2015 New York State budget, the pace in Albany has started to quicken.

My goal is to adopt an on-time spending plan that meets the real needs of those who live and work in my district and across New York.

The plan needs to keep state spending in check, encourage economic growth, deliver broad-based tax cuts, and drive education aid to our neediest schools.  Continue reading →

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Looking to crack down: Public dollars are for necessities not excess

The “Public Assistance Integrity Act” would serve as a real deterrent in the fight against welfare fraud, while protecting a safety net for needy families and individuals who receive some type of assistance and use it responsibly for necessities.

For a third straight year, the NY State Senate has overwhelmingly passed this legislation.

This bill (S.966) is designed to crack down on fraud and prohibit welfare recipients from using cash assistance for the purchase of cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, lottery tickets or for casino gambling.

The legislation would also prevent individuals receiving welfare from using their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to make ATM withdrawals from certain places, including liquor stores, casinos and strip clubs.  Continue reading →

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