Friends of Aileen Gunther

Embrace the power of small changes to make a big impact on both the environment and your wallet. Take a step towards cutting costs and reducing energy consumption with these tips that you can begin utilizing today on National Cut Your Energy Costs Day.

The New York State Assembly convened for the official start of the 2024 Legislative Session. Assembly woman Gunther provided an overview of her goals for the session.
https://nyassembly.gov/dl/user/cis/1-3-24GuntherLegGoalsHD.mp4

Thrilled to congratulate Brian Conaty on being officially sworn in today as Sullivan County District Attorney.

Congratulations New Legislative Chair Nadia Rajsz and to all the Sullivan County Legislators who took their Oath of Office today at the Legislature, including my former Legislative Aide Matt McPhillips who now represents District 1. https://midhudsonnews.com/2024/01/02/new-sullivan-legislature-named-rajsz-as-new-chair/

National Poverty in America Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the challenges many of our friends and neighbors continue to face. In New York State, lets elevate the conversation and prioritize access to basic needs and opportunities this upcoming year.

Way to go Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association!

Ride 2 Survive provides free rides for Sullivan cancer patients (VIDEO) - Mid Hudson News LIBERTY – Ride 2 Survive is an organization that provides free transportation for Sullivan County residents who require daily cancer treatment but have no way to get there. Thanks to a $4,000 donation from the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association, that program is continuing. Glorianne Ellison i...

Direct Support Professionals are the foundation of our system of supports for New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These dedicated care givers earn little so they are in desperate short supply. Reporter Judy Woodruff reports on the work they do and the staffing crisis now facing us.
https://youtu.be/M5AVO_8f6pw?si=LL3PdtLdQNbhHdQO

We can protect NY Agriculture and our environment. I applaud the work of Governor Kathy Hochul and her staff for negotiating needed amendments to the Birds and Bees Protection Act which I will now support.

Wishing you a bright and meaningful Kwanzaa.

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas filled with joy, laughter and holiday cheer🎄

To celebrate the 100 year Anniversary of New York State's Parks and Historic Site system, you are invited to take part in the New York State Parks Centennial Challenge. Get out and complete 24 of 100 possible activities at state parks and track them in your cell phone. Curious? The challenge begins January first.

Join the Centennial Challenge! As you head off on your next adventure, help us celebrate our Centennial by participating in our Centennial Challenge! Complete 24 out of 100 activities to w...

Enjoyed seeing the incredible talent of our youth on display yesterday for the St. Johns Street Highschool art show at The Black Library

Assemblywoman Gunther supported creating a fund to help increase the number of child care programs in New York. The Child Care Capital Program will award construction grants to help child care providers expand existing centers or build new ones. Every family should have access to safe and affordable care for their children.

President Joe Biden has signed the Duck Stamp Modernization Legislation and it will be in place for 2024.
One of the most notable changes brought about by this legislation is the ability for waterfowl hunters to purchase their duck stamps online and put them in their cell phone. This eliminates the need for a physical copy while hunting. “Duck hunters led the charge in making the Federal Duck Stamp one of the most successful conservation funding programs in history,” said Nick Wiley, Ducks Unlimited Chief Operating Officer. The organization says it has conserved over eight million acres of habitat through this program.

Assemblywoman Gunther rallies with New York State Nurses Association and Communication Workers District 1 members in New York City, calling for safe staffing at hospitals and nursing homes. It is the law in NY thanks to legislation passed by Assemblywoman Gunther.

Assembly member Patricia Fahy gets Assembly hearing on the challenges facing our state’s healthcare workforce underway at Hunter College. Workforce shortages, disparate salaries, regulations, educational challenges and an aging population are creating an environment where access to care especially Mental
Health care is challenged. We will hear from the people of healthcare today!

This weekend I was honored to attend Wreaths Across America - Official Page In Roscoe to commemorate the lives of our fallen heroes this holiday season.

Ensuring that every New Yorker has access to secure, clean water is crucial. Recently, grants totaling $479 million were allocated to support this endeavor. A portion of this funding comes from the $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act which aims to safeguard drinking water, create tens of thousands of jobs, and reduce cost for New Yorkers. Explore the awarded grants at https://efc.ny.gov/wiia-img-awards-2023 for more details.

https://nystateofpolitics.com/state-of-politics/new-york/politics/2023/12/13/new-york-s-rural-school-districts-say-they-re-at-a-critical-moment
Thank you Susan Arbetter for this important update on our rural school districts as they struggle with the economic decline of many of our rural counties, along with limited access to mental health services for students.

New York’s rural school districts say they’re at a critical moment David Little recommends updating the Foundation Aid formula.

On National Horse Day, I’d like to thank Governor Hochul for signing legislation I supported to stiffen penalties and increase fines for selling disabled Equidae (horses, donkeys mules, mini horses., all of them!) Thousands of horse auctions are held every year attracting farmers, ranchers, pleasure-horse owners, riding stable operators and unfortunately - slaughterhouse buyers. The current violation for auctioneers to accept abused or neglected horses stands at only a fine of $5. Now the fine will be $1,000 plus jail time if ordered by the court. Horses deserve care when they get old or are disabled, not an auction that leads to their death.

I am proud to have supported newly passed Legislation S.5941B/A.3245D which requires companies to notify customers of automatic subscription renewals and to provide clear instruction for cancelling.

New York State is investing over $13 million locally in critical water infrastructure projects, including the first funding awarded through the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act voters approved for 2022.
Clean water projects in Orange and Sullivan Counties are:

Liberty, $2,474,922 Wastewater Treatment Plant improvements
Wallkill, water treatment plant improvements, $5 million
Middletown, water system improvements $5 million
Thompson, Emerald Green Pump Station Improvements $803,003

We must protect our citizens from those who drive so unsafely that they have lost their license repeatedly, but keep driving. The Assembly passed unanimously a change in the law so that these people will be charged with the serious crime of first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a felony. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this legislation.

Santa stopped by Liberty this weekend, supporting area merchants and welcoming shoppers who believe... in buy local! A terrific event, congratulations to all the merchants and organizers.

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. Drunk and drugged driving is one of the leading causes of deaths due to car accidents. By encouraging people not to get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs, we can help prevent needless tragedies from occurring.

A big Middletown turnout for The first night of Hanukkah

Happy Chanukah 🕎