“It’s no surprise that this year’s Legislative Session was chock-full of needless debate. With state Majority in full control, it seemed that their only concern was increasing rights for criminals, prisoners and illegal immigrants. Despite...

Today, the New York State Assembly passed a bill that would designate a portion of the Long Island Expressway as the “Staff Sgt. Louis Bonacasa Memorial Bridge.” The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford), is in honor...

Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) joined fellow Senate and Assembly members of the Capitol Region and St. Clare’s pensioners at a rally at the State Capitol to urge the state to launch an investigation into the St. Clare’s...

Today, the State Assembly passed a bill that would allow the Town of Brookhaven to lease municipality-owned parklands to the Patchogue-Medford Library for the purpose of establishing a local library branch. Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford)...

“We are in the final stretch of the legislative session, a time when our legislators should be working to make meaningful change and relieving residents and businesses of burdensome taxes and regulations. Instead, state Majority has chosen to waste...

Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) joined colleagues at a press conference held by Assemblyman Ed Ra (R,C,I-Franklin Square), Assemblyman Anthony Palumbo (R,C,I,Ref-New Suffolk) and Washington County District Attorney Tony Jordan to...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) criticized Assembly Majority members on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee after they rejected bills that would reduce costs for veterans’ groups and families’ use of state parks and recreational...

***Editor’s Note: Stand up can be viewed here. (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rq_KytnTqju4PstYYX4GSc8pX2gO42Iz/view) “Drivers licenses for undocumented immigrants will be the catalyst to a whole slew of privileges soon to be awarded. The...

Today in the Corrections Committee, Assembly Majority voted to move forward Assembly Bill 8080. The bill would give inmates a 1,566% minimum wage increase and establish a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) every five years. Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford)...

Today, the Assembly Codes Committee voted to move a bill that would prevent federal law enforcement from entering a courthouse to obtain illegal immigrants involved in a court proceeding. Assembly Bill 2176 would protect people involved in court proceedings...

Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) helped introduce legislation (A.7655) with Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C,I,Ref-Schoharie) that would free volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel from paying state income...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) voiced his disapproval for Assembly Bill 3972, a majority bill that would prevent employers from performing background checks on prospective employees. The bill would require employers to make a conditional...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) voiced his support for Assembly Bill 4177, which would increase the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 30 percent to 45 percent. The bill, sponsored by Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua), was blocked...

This weekend, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) is announcing that residents can take part in RecruitNY, an initiative aimed at increasing the number of volunteer firefighters. Local fire departments across the state will be holding open houses...

This week, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) voiced his concerns for Assembly Bill 4319, a bill that would permit the Board of Parole to evaluate all inmates over the age of 55 for possible parole release. Inmates eligible would be those who...

“This past week, my Minority colleagues and I have pushed back on the Assembly Majority’s’ decision to block a bill that expanded scholarships for Gold Star families. After public outrage, Gov. Cuomo has announced that the scholarships...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) is encouraging constituents to sign a petition to ensure that Assembly Bill 2991 becomes law. The bill would provide Gold Star families free tuition and room and board to SUNY & CUNY institutions. Last week, the...

“It was disheartening to hear our fellow legislators call this proposal ‘an entitlement,’ but I am encouraged by the governor’s support on this meaningful initiative that would provide free college tuition to surviving dependent family...

Today, Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I-Medford) called out Assembly Majority for blocking a bill (A.2991) that would provide free college tuition to family members of New York state military personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. DeStefano...

Assemblyman Joe DeStefano (R,C,I,Ref-Medford) and County Legislator Rudy Sunderman are hosting a Narcan Training event on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Narcan reduces the effects of opioids in the event of an overdose. The training event will include ways...