Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara

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Autism Action Alert>>>Launch of New York’s Autism/Disability ID Card Program

Autism Action Alert>>>Launch of New York’s Autism/Disability ID Card Program

Assemblyman Santabarbara and son Michael holding the very first Autism/Disability ID Card issued in New York State. Michael lives with autism and has limited communication skills.

I’m pleased to announce another big win for my Autism Action Plan with the launch of New York’s Autism/Disability ID Card Program—in its first week more than 2,000 cards have already been requested!

Whether it’s an…

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MMA puts up big numbers since lift of statewide ban

MMA puts up big numbers since lift of statewide ban

It’s welcome news to see the positive impact mixed martial arts has had in New York State. In just two years, since the lift of the statewide ban in 2016, the sport has generated nearly $97 million in New York State—generating more than $7.5 million in paid taxes. That’s a more than 700% increase prior to the sport’s legalization!

We all know it wasn’t easy to get the legislation legalizing MMA…

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Sports betting may soon be a reality in New York’s casinos

Sports betting may soon be a reality in New York’s casinos

What started last year with a Supreme Court decision that struck down a 1992 federal law that prohibited most states from authorizing sports betting has brought us closer to seeing it become a reality in New York’s casinos. The court decision determined that the law violated constitutional principles limiting the federal government from controlling policy in the states. More than that, the fact…

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Baccalà — it's an Italian Christmas Tradition

Baccalà — it’s an Italian Christmas Tradition

Baccalà is cod fish preserved by packing it in salt and drying—great as an appetizer or as a main course. Where my parents come from, the Campanià region of Italy, it’s was cheap and kept well without refrigeration, which made it an ideal food on Fridays when meat was not eaten.

Growing up, Baccalà was always part of  La Vigilia—feast of the seven fishes—a Christmas Eve meal celebrated by many…

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Duanesburg Historical Society's Research and Archival Building is NOW OPEN!

Duanesburg Historical Society’s Research and Archival Building is NOW OPEN!

The Duanesburg Historical Society has a history that dates back to 1944. The organization not only collects and archives memorabilia and documentation specific to the Town of Duanesburg, it also provides a number of monthly programs to engage our community. Their work shares memories of what life was like in the town throughout history and research about significant historical events that took…

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Town of Charleston Celebrates 225 Years!

Town of Charleston Celebrates 225 Years!

Situated on the southern border of Montgomery County, including the hamlets of Burtonville, Charleston Four Corners, Oak Ridge and Rockwell Corners, this year the Town of Charleston celebrates its 225th Anniversary.

Named after Charles Van Epps, an early settler who lived in the northern part of the town that is now Fultonville, the Town of Charleston was established on March 12, 1793. Today,…

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Lyme Disease, A Growing Threat to Public Health

Lyme Disease, A Growing Threat to Public Health

Lyme disease is one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the country and one of the most difficult to diagnose. At this point experts in the medical and scientific community consider Lyme disease to be an epidemic, a public health crisis and a growing threat to the health of our communities. With new tick borne diseases and the tick population growing each year, more and more are being…

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Celebrating Women of Distinction in our Community

Celebrating Women of Distinction in our Community

In its 6th year now, my Women of Distinction Awards celebrates the achievements in our community.  This annual event recognizes women from a diverse collection of fields, including community involvement, business, non-profit leadership, public service and education.

This year’s celebration featured a special LIVE STREAM broadcast of the event on a special set at Proctors in downtown Schenectady…

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Celebrating 100 Years of the Schenectady Rotary Club

Celebrating 100 Years of the Schenectady Rotary Club

One of my privileges as a New York State Assemblyman is to recognize great organizations like the Rotary Club of Schenectady that is celebrating its 100th Anniversary!!

The Rotary Club of Schenectady was established a century ago as the 397th club of Rotary International, a volunteer organization of 1.2 million business and professional leaders at over 33,000 clubs worldwide that provide…

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A 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebrated with the Amsterdam Community

A 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebrated with the Amsterdam Community

Assemblyman Santabarbara and his family join Bob and Sandy Scott at Riverlink Park in Amsterdam to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary

Bob and Sandy Scott were married more than 50 years ago on May 26th, 1968 at St. Luke’s church in the City of Amsterdam. They have been blessed with their son, Mark Robert and their two beloved daughters in heaven, Rebecca Ann and Lynne Marie.

This weekend I…

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Your invited! Learn about NY ABLE and how it helps those with disabilities.

Your invited! Learn about NY ABLE and how it helps those with disabilities.

The New York Achieving a Better Life Experience (NY ABLE) Program is another step to help us realize the goals of my Autism Action Plan in the New York State State Assembly, offering those with disabilities more opportunities and more independence. Since the legislation was enacted, the program was developed with a goal of supporting individuals with health, independence and quality of life.

Wit…

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General Electric must restore Retiree Pension Benefits

General Electric must restore Retiree Pension Benefits

This week I joined hundreds of IUE-CWA Local 301 union members and hundreds of General Electric retirees at the company’s main gate in Schenectady to demand the pension benefits they were promised at retirement.

On January 1st of this year thousands of retirees from the company, employees and their eligible dependents can no longer use their post-65 retiree health plans from the company that they…

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Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie kicks-off statewide tour at Schenectady’s miSci

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie kicks-off statewide tour at Schenectady’s miSci

It was exciting to welcome Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie to the MiSci this week to kickoff his third statewide tour!

As a civil engineer, I recognize the importance of STEM education in preparing our youth to take on the challenges they will face down the road. That is why I have fought tirelessly to provide students in my district with access to events, programs and facilities that will pique…

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Emergency Preparedness Training at Schenectady County Community College

Emergency Preparedness Training at Schenectady County Community College

Preparing for severe weather events that affect our community starts with making a plan and having the supplies that can help keep our families and pets safe.

I invite you to join me with the New York National Guard, the Division of Homeland Security and the State Office of Emergency Management on Friday, May 25th from 9:30am to 11:00am for a Citizens Preparedness Corps Training Program at the…

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CDC Report Brings Autism to 1 in 59

CDC Report Brings Autism to 1 in 59

The latest report recently released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control shows that about 1 in 59 children in the US are now being diagnosed with autism, up from 1 in 68 in 2012. The numbers have more than doubled since 2000. The data also revealed that as autism rates continue to climb a majority of children are not diagnosed until after the age of four and therefore are not receiving the…

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Autism Training for First Responders becomes a reality!

Autism Training for First Responders becomes a reality!

I am pleased to announce another win towards achieving the goals of my Autism Action Plan in the New York State Assembly. A proposal I authored to establish a statewide training program for law enforcement, firefighters and other first responders to help with interactions involving individuals with autism spectrum and related disorders was passed as part of this year’s final state budget.

With…

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Engineering can solve Ice Jam problem in Schenectady

Engineering can solve Ice Jam problem in Schenectady

The Schenectady area has a long history of ice jams along the Mohawk River, affecting generations of families and businesses. Year after year flooding has forced people out of their homes, caused millions of dollars in property damage and threatened the health and safety of our community.

This most recent event has again affected residents in the historic Stockade district and restricted use of…

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