Tedisco Named to Key Leadership Post for Oversight of NYS Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Ballston Lake), today announced his appointment by Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt to serve as Ranking Member of the NYS Senate Committee on Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation.

Tourism is a major economic driver of the 44th Senate District, which includes all of Saratoga County, City of Schenectady, and Niskayuna.

This is an important leadership assignment for Senator Tedisco for the Capital Region, given the 44th Senate District includes Saratoga Spa State Park, Moreau Lake State Park, historic Proctors Theatre in Schenectady, Saratoga National Historical Park, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Peebles Island State Park in Waterford, MiSci, Saratoga Auto Museum, and is home to Rivers Casino in Schenectady, Saratoga Casino Hotel and the historic Saratoga Race Course, which this year will be hosting the 156th running of the Belmont Stakes – among many other tourist attractions. 

Senator Tedisco noted that in addition to hosting the Belmont Stakes, Saratoga County is gearing up for a large influx of tourists to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga, which was America’s turning point that saved the American Revolution and changed the world.

Senator Tedisco also will continue to serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Education Committee and Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee as well as a sitting member of the Banks, Libraries and NYC Education Committees.

“Saratoga County, Schenectady and Niskayuna have many world-class tourist destinations, several incredible state and national parks, and wonderful recreational facilities that bring scores of visitors to the 44th Senate District each year and serve as major economic drivers and job creators for our area. I believe my job as the Ranking Member on the Senate’s Cultural Affairs, Tourism and Parks and Recreation Committee is to continue to be a strong voice for my constituents and fight for the best interests of all the locations in the 44th Senate District that make our area so special and such a draw for visitors,” said Senator Jim Tedisco, who as a former high school and college athlete and later varsity basketball coach and athletic director, knows how important recreational facilities are to our communities.

In 2021, Senator Tedisco authored and passed bi-partisan legislation to enable state forest and park rangers and DEC Park Police to carry life-saving EpiPens to treat people with severe allergic reactions in an emergency.

Senator Tedisco said that his new leadership role on the Senate Cultural Affairs, Tourism and Parks and Recreation Committee, will provide a new platform to continue to champion his bi-partisan legislation (S.7688) to install security cameras at the entrances and exits of all state parks and recreational facilities. Tedisco’s bill was in response to the abduction on September 30th of a 9-year-old girl from Moreau Lake State Park. The Governor announced in her budget that she was following through on Tedisco’s idea and including funding for security cameras and equipment at all state parks.

Tedisco is sponsoring legislation (S.675) to provide a Lifetime Liberty Pass for free admission to all state parks and recreations sites for all honorably discharged veterans and free access and parking at state parks for all active duty military and veterans (S.2252).  The Senator also sponsors a bill for free use of state parks and campsites for volunteer firefighters and members of volunteer ambulance services (S.655).