August 10, 2024
Dear Friends,
One of my favorite questions to answer from constituents is: “What has the Biden-Harris Administration ever done for me?” My common reply is to tell them to pull up a chair, because we’re going to be here for a while!
From the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to the Community Project Funding process, the accomplishments of this administration are putting money back into the pockets of hardworking families, strengthening regional development, protecting our communities, and so much more. This week, I got the chance to highlight some of these significant investments and show how they are benefiting individuals and communities across our Capital Region.
Improving water quality in the Hudson River
I often say that water is part of every job and every life. With that in mind, one of my top legislative priorities throughout my time in Congress has been improving our water infrastructure. I’ve been proud to work alongside the Biden-Harris Administration to help deliver the most significant clean water investments in our nation’s history with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Thanks to our enactment of these transformational laws, our Capital Region has already received more than $26 million in funding for clean water and environmental projects.
This week, I headed to Albany’s Lincoln Park to celebrate the completion of one such project — the Beaver Creek Clean River Project. This initiative, made possible in part by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will make big strides toward improving water quality for our Hudson River communities by establishing a new screening facility that will disinfect up to 300 million gallons of sewage overflow from the Beaver Creek line each year, neutralizing a major contributor to pollution in the Hudson while also mitigating flood risks.
Communities along the Hudson and far beyond will reap the benefits of this investment, and I’ll continue working to ensure that every community has access to clean water.
Bolstering public safety services in Saratoga County
The American Rescue Plan Act is another legislative achievement from this administration that has served as a lifeline for families. Signed into law by President Biden in 2021, this legislation delivered $350 billion for state and local governments across the nation, including $10.7 billion for local governments in New York State.
This week, I visited the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Emergency Corps to learn more about how Saratoga County is using $4.5 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to provide first responders with the tools they need to keep our communities safe and healthy. These funds are being used to upgrade 10 emergency services communications towers across Saratoga County, thereby improving service and response times countywide and enhancing public safety in the community. I’m excited to continue partnering with our dedicated local leaders to ensure these federal dollars are invested smartly and compassionately to create healthier, safer, and more just communities.
Delivering vital resources for Albany’s South End
One of the key ways in which I have worked to deliver federal funding for our region is through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process. Through this process, I’ve secured tens of millions for worthy local initiatives that range from innovative investments in floating solar to university training programs for nursing students and community resources for our veterans.
Yesterday, I stopped by Albany’s South End to highlight one of my CPF projects — an initiative to redesign and upgrade the Hoffman Community Center. I was proud to secure $400,000 in federal funding to support this effort to modernize an important gathering place and resource center for more than 15,000 residents of the South End neighborhood. The successful completion of this project will help revitalize essential infrastructure in this historically underserved community — a major investment for long-term community and economic impact. With progress now underway to award contracts and enter the construction phase, I’m eager to see the ways in which this project will support and strengthen our community.
Taken together, this extensive suite of investments will create jobs, support our local economies, and improve quality of life for residents across our Capital Region — and there’s far more where that came from. I remain laser-focused on the path of progress, and I pledge to always keep fighting to provide our communities with the resources they need to thrive.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from federal agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- On Wednesday, August 14th at 4:30 PM, I will be marking the 89th anniversary of the signing of the Social Security Act by hosting a virtual workshop for individuals interested in learning more about eligibility for Social Security benefits and Medicare and how to access these benefits.
- WHAT: Virtual Social Security and Medicare Workshop
- WHEN: Wednesday, August 14th at 4:30 PM
- WHERE: Virtually, on my Facebook page. To watch LIVE, click HERE or go to my Facebook page at facebook.com/reppaultonko (you do not need a Facebook account to view the workshop)
- I will be joined by a representative from the Social Security Administration (SSA) who will provide information to help empower you to better understand the benefits to which you may be entitled.
- I will also highlight my work in Congress to protect and expand SSA and Medicare benefits for you.
- If you are interested in taking part in this workshop or if you have any questions for my office or for SSA, I encourage you to RSVP HERE.
