November 2, 2024

Dear Friends,

Our region and our nation have so much to gain from the investments delivered by the Biden-Harris Administration. Last Congress, Democrats advanced a tranche of monumental legislation, from the American Rescue Plan that pulled our nation out from the grips of the COVID pandemic, to the Inflation Reduction Act that took once-in-a-generation climate action to build our green economy. These dollars continue to flow into our Capital Region to create jobs, spur innovation and drive connection between our communities.

This week, I highlighted several massive federal investments that will enable our region to thrive — delivered thanks to the administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act.

I’ve spoken time and again about our region’s tremendous history as a hub of industry and innovation. That rich history dates back two centuries, to the establishment of the Erie Canal that transformed both our great state of New York and our nation as a whole, turning small hamlets into booming industrial towns and unlocking countless resources that spurred nationwide growth in the decades that followed. Just as the construction of the Erie Canalway marked a turning point for our region and our nation, semiconductor manufacturing marks the next turning point in our modern age that can drive us to new heights of innovation and development.

Semiconductor chips are essential components of countless consumer goods we use every day—from cars and computers to phones and coffee makers. Despite the essential role of these chips, the United States had been falling behind the world in semiconductor manufacturing, robbing us of the opportunity to grow good-paying jobs and making us beholden to other nations like China for this critical resource. Last Congress, Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration set to work to bring forth powerful legislation that will address supply chain needs in our nation, create good-paying jobs, and lower costs for consumers. Out of that effort came the historic CHIPS and Science Act that ensures the U.S. can out-compete any nation in semiconductor manufacturing while supporting a critical industry, driving research and development, and creating good paying jobs.

In the years since Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act, I have advocated relentlessly for federal investments that recognize and unlock the incredible potential of our region as a central hub of this industry. This week, I celebrated a $825 million investment for NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex to be the very first CHIPS for America R&D flagship facility in the country. This investment was years in the making and cements our status as a global center of semiconductor innovation. I’ll continue to push for these investments that speak to the pioneering spirit of innovation that the Capital Region has long exemplified.

While I was working to drive forward an advanced precision economy, I also cheered key investments for our region that will bring our infrastructure into the 21^st century and beyond.

Many of the key investments made by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda have come through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Over the nearly three years since its enactment, this law has already brought hundreds of millions of dollars directly to our region to upgrade critical water infrastructure, repair roads and bridges, update our airports, and so much more.

This week, I stood with labor leaders and planning experts in the City of Rensselaer to outline all the ways that these investments bolster our region’s workforce and better the lives of residents across the Capital Region. All told, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has delivered more than $500 million in federal infrastructure upgrades for our region so far, including:

• More than $337 million for bridge upgrades, including the recent award of more than $215 million to replace the Civil War-era Livingston Avenue Bridge;
• More than $74 million for Capital Region roads and highways;
• More than $44 million for airport improvements;
• More than $16 million for local water infrastructure upgrades.

These investments are so much more than a drop in the bucket for our communities. They translate directly into jobs created, prices lowered, and lives improved.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the CHIPS and Science Act are shining examples of the great things we can accomplish when we set our sights on the future and act with the best interests of our communities and our nation at heart. Whatever the outcome of next week’s election, I won’t stop fighting for the people of our Capital Region and working to create a brighter tomorrow for every American.

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:

• With Medicare Open Enrollment now underway, I want to share important details with you regarding recent improvements to Medicare that are lowering health care costs.
• In 2022, Democrats passed the Inflation Reduction Act. This transformational law gave Medicare the power to negotiate lower prescription drug prices — and it reduces costs for seniors in many important ways.
• With these new benefits, it is more important than ever to look at your coverage for 2025 during Medicare Open Enrollment and make sure you are enrolled in the plan that works best for you.
• That’s why I’m holding a virtual informational session on Thursday, November 7th at 5:30pm to help provide you with the resources you need to make that informed decision.
  • At this session, a regional representative with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will give a presentation about the resources available to you.
• You can tune in for the event HERE on my Facebook page at facebook.com/reppaultonko (please note that you do not need a Facebook account to watch).
• Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office at (518) 465-0700 if you have any questions about this event.