![Senator Headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/4_3_small/public/02-10-15_official_hs_omara-hs-040_0.jpg?itok=gJ9N77KJ)
Senator O'Mara's weekly column "From the Capitol..."
Thomas F. O'Mara
April 19, 2011
![](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/SenateChamber_13.jpg?itok=8khXu2Mz)
It's going to be a pivotal year in New York State government. That's one thing most Albany observers already agree on. The challenges have never been greater. Throughout 2011, Senator O'Mara will offer his weekly perspective on many of the key issues, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state programs and policies, and so much more. Stop back every Monday for Senator O'Mara's latest column "From the Capitol..."
This week, "New York's not all big cities"
Share this Article or Press Release
Newsroom
Go to Newsroom![In the photo above at this year’s Sip and Sample, from left to right: Assemblyman Palmesano, Erica Paolicelli (NYWIA President and Co-owner of Three Brothers Wineries & Estates in Geneva), and Senator O’Mara. In the photo above at this year’s Sip and Sample, from left to right: Assemblyman Palmesano, Erica Paolicelli (NYWIA President and Co-owner of Three Brothers Wineries & Estates in Geneva), and Senator O’Mara.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/nywia_sipandsample2020_newweb.jpg?itok=h1UMxRPb)
![Senator O'Mara joined forces with Food Bank of the Southern Tier President & CEO Natasha Thompson and his Southern Tier colleague, Senator Fred Akshar, to urge the enactment of the Farm to Food Bank tax credit in 2017. Senator O'Mara joined forces with Food Bank of the Southern Tier President & CEO Natasha Thompson and his Southern Tier colleague, Senator Fred Akshar, to urge the enactment of the Farm to Food Bank tax credit in 2017..](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/foodbankstier_newweb.jpg?itok=7bedbbk7)
![Local participants at Tuesday’s rally, front row, l. to r.: Assemblyman Joseph Giglio, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker, Senator Tom O’Mara, Hornell Mayor John Buckley. Back row, l. to r.: Assemblyman Chris Friend, Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes, Steuben County Undersheriff John McNelis, Bath Police Chief Chad Mullen, Steuben County Sheriff James Allard. local participants at Tuesday’s "Repeal Bail Reform" rally, front row, l. to r.: Assemblyman Joseph Giglio, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, Steuben County District Attorney Brooks Baker, Senator Tom O’Mara, Hornell Mayor John Buckley. Back row, l. to r.: Assemblyman Chris Friend, Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes, Steuben County Undersheriff John McNelis, Bath Police Chief Chad Mullen, Steuben County Sheriff James Allard.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/article/main-image/repealbailreform-rally_newweb_3.jpg?itok=QXSH36bM)