Stefanik: NCCS senior wins 2019 Congressional App Challenge
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced that Seth Albertus, a senior at Northeastern Clinton Central School, won this year's Congressional App Challenge in New York's 21st Congressional District.
The contest encourages middle and high school students to learn code and possibly pursue careers in computer science.
Albertus created an app called CVES BOCES, which puts the Board of Cooperative Educational Services websites into an easy-to-read view for students and parents.
Stefanik congratulated Albertus over the phone.
"Seth was also a member of the team that won last year’s Congressional App Challenge, and it is clear he has a true passion and talent for coding and developing helpful applications," she said in a statement.
"Congratulations to Seth on a job well done, and I look forward to seeing the implementation of this app in many North Country school districts."
Senators announce increase in monies to Land and Water Conservation Fund
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) announced last week that the recently-passed appropriations bill includes a $60 million increase in funding to the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
That brings the total to $495 million, according to a press release.
"Passage of this critical funding will help ensure that New Yorkers and Americans alike can continue to enjoy our state’s spectacular public lands, natural areas and historical sites for generations to come," Schumer said in a statement.
Gillibrand added that the fund has been vital in preserving landmark sites such as the Adirondack Lakes.
"I’m pleased that the Land and Water Conservation Fund has been awarded funding in this year-end appropriations bill, which will help ensure that our nation’s resources can be preserved for generations to come."
Cuomo signs bill proposed by local reps - SHORTEN
ALBANY — Legislation sponsored by State Sen. Betty Little (R-Queensbury) and Assemblyman D. Billy Jones (D-Plattsburgh) providing legal direction for campground owners who need to remove disruptive long-term guests was recently signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The local representatives brought the measure at the request of Campground Owners of New York (CONY).
The new law outlines reason campground owners can request that long-term guests — those who stay more than one week — be removed, according to a press release.
It also stipulates that guest need to receive written warnings that their conduct could result in removal if repeated.
“Unfortunately, and thankfully rarely, some campers can become overly disruptive and difficult to deal with and create problems for those around them and for the campground management," Little said in a statement.
"This new law provides clarity on what do when that situation arises.”
“Campgrounds should be fun and welcoming spaces where families are able to get out in nature and explore, but it’s important that visitors are respectful of the grounds and their fellow campers,” Jones added.
"I am proud to have sponsored this legislation and pleased that it is now law so that campground owners have a fair and straightforward process to remove disrespectful guests.”
The new law takes effective immediately.
Senators announce increase in Lyme disease funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Sen. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) announced that the fiscal year 2020 spending package includes $14 million in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to combat Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases.
The package also included the Kay Hagan Tick Act — named for the late senator who passed away due to complications from the Powassan virus, a rare tick-born disease — which complements the CDC funding, according to a press release.
"New Yorkers have felt the impact of tick-borne illness for years, we need to step up our efforts to protect our communities," Gillibrand said in a statement.
"New Yorkers and their children shouldn’t have to worry that spending time outside in their backyards will leave them with a debilitating ailment like Lyme disease, and this funding will help prevent that," Schumer added.
The Kay Hagan Tick Act requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services "to develop a national strategy for vector-borne diseases, including tick-borne diseases, in an effort to coordinate efforts among various government agencies," according to a press release.
President makes disaster declaration following upstate Halloween storms
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-Schuylerville) announced that President Donald Trump officially declared a major disaster declaration for New York State, allowing for the release of federal funds to help local communities recover from the Halloween storms.
Eight counties, including Essex, are eligible to receive federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance program, according to a press release.
All areas of the state are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant program.
“I am grateful to President Trump for responding quickly to my push for a major disaster declaration for the North Country following the devastating Halloween storm,” Stefanik said in a statement.
“I worked with state and local officials to initiate a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment in order to access FEMA funds to rebuild our communities, and sent a letter to President Trump asking that he take our request seriously."
Stefanik cosponsors legislation to support female service members
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced that she was an original cosponsor of the Female Body Armor Modernization Act of 2019 in the House.
A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate.
Women are a growing demographic in the military, and improperly fitting body armor can cause discomfort and/or injury, according to a press release.
"This bill would require a report to Congress on fielding the newest generation of personal protective equipment (PPE) to include a tracking system, as well as including a question on injuries incurred from ill-fitting or malfunctioning equipment in annual assessments."
"As women take on more roles within the increasingly diverse Armed Forces, it is important that we equip service members of all shapes and sizes with properly fitting protective gear," Stefanik said in a statement.
"This bill aims for every soldier to be outfitted with the right equipment so she can ‘train as she fights.’"
Gillibrand announces breast cancer research funding
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) announced that the National Defense Authorization Act includes $150 million for the U.S. Department of Defense's Breast Cancer Research Program (DoD BRCP).
Earlier this year, Gillibrand and 28 other Senate colleagues sent a letter to the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee urging members to maintain the funding, according to a press release.
"As breast cancer continues to be one of the most common cancers in the United States, with about one in eight women estimated to be diagnosed in their lifetime, this funding will ensure that the DoD BRCP will be able to continue to support innovative research models that will help to develop new treatment and testing methods," the senator said in a statement.
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