GROWN IN NEW YORK

Thomas F. O'Mara

June 20, 2013

It may not be getting the widespread public notice it deserves, but we've just taken a big step toward delivering long-awaited and badly needed property tax relief for New York State's farmers.

That's because both houses of the Legislature have unanimously approved legislation I co-sponsor to place a 2% cap on annual agricultural land assessment increases.

This legislation was a cornerstone of “Grown in New York,” a comprehensive economic development strategy for New York State agriculture that I unveiled with my Senate Republican colleagues earlier this year.

For too long, property tax increases have been crushing our family farms and driving too many of them out of business. New York farmers have long labored under the second highest property tax burden in America and it’s been an unfair competitive disadvantage.

It’s about time we took this action and we’re hopeful that it will make a difference for our next generation of family farmers to help them grow, prosper and stay competitive.

O’Mara welcomes announcement of new housing, treatment services in Yates County, Finger Lakes region: Says new state-local effort key to addressing addiction and homelessness

December 5, 2016

"This project will help people address the circumstances that have contributed to their homelessness while changing their lives for the better," said Finger Lakes Addiction Counseling & Referral Agency Executive Director Martin Teller.

Senator O'Mara's weekly column 'From the Capitol' ~ for the week of December 5, 2016 ~ 'Governor Cuomo says no to commonsense actions'

December 5, 2016

New York State Capitol

O’Mara: Governor Cuomo's veto keeps Upstate public transit systems at risk

December 1, 2016

"For thousands upon thousands of Upstate residents, these systems provide critical links to jobs, medical appointments, school, shopping destinations, and other necessities. Our public transit systems also stand as cornerstones of regional transportation networks vital to economic development, job growth, anti-poverty and housing initiatives, energy and environmental conservation. Governor Cuomo has put this challenge off for another day. That unfairly and unacceptably keeps Upstate public transportation systems at risk,” said Senator O'Mara.

O’Mara applauds today's celebration of job creation, manufacturing growth at Alstom manufacturing facility in Hornell (Read more and watch a video replay here)

November 30, 2016

Senator O'Mara speaks at today's event in Hornell celebrating the success of Alstom Transportation. "It’s about the strong workforce that we have, and we need to continue to build on that,” the senator said.