Take a Do-It-All Approach to Expand America's Energy Portfolio

April 17th, 2012 Unsubscribe WEBSITE | ABOUT | NEWS | ISSUES | AGENDA | SERVICES | CONTACT Dear Friend, I know first-hand how tough New York families are struggling in this challenging economy. I also know the recent spike in gas prices causes real stress on family budgets. That is why I am pushing a common sense “Do-It-All” plan to increase America’s energy portfolio. Below is an op-ed I recently authored in the Buffalo News I wanted to share with you that outlines my plan to hold the big 5 oil companies accountable and invest in American Made energy, by Americans –for Americans. Sincerely,                                              Kirsten E. Gillibrand                      U.S. Senator for New York   Taking a Do-It-All Approach To Expand Nation's Portfolio   As gas prices continue to rise in this challenging economy, it is clearer than ever that we need a new “do-it-all” energy policy that expands America’s energy portfolio. We need to increase domestic production in a responsible way, keep American oil here, not ship it overseas and develop new sustainable technologies that will power our economy for years to come. And we need to finally hold the oil industry accountable for the wild price swings. We can start by ending the wasteful government subsidies for the five biggest oil companies—BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and Shell. Combined, these companies made $137 billion in profits in 2011, a 75 percent increase from 2010 alone. When every penny increase at the pump puts an additional $200 million right in their pockets, big oil companies don’t need any more handouts from American taxpayers. But politicians in Washington, who gladly take their money for campaigns, continue to protect them from any efforts that would end this scam. The free ride for big oil has to stop. I propose we start      immediately by repealing the $4 billion in taxpayer-funded subsidies the oil companies now reap and reinvesting those funds in ways that make the United States less dependent on foreign oil and protect us from the current manufactured spikes we see year in and out. Second, we need a “Keep it in America” law. Any oil drilled in the United States on publicly leased lands should be required to stay in America to help ease the price at the pump. Currently, too much of this oil is being sent to countries like China and India. Third, currently oil companies have permits to drill on thousands of acres of leased land in the United States that they are just sitting on. If they won’t drill in preapproved federal lands, we should withdraw their permits. Last, we need to continue to demand more fuel-efficient cars and trucks to better serve consumers and decrease our reliance on oil. The same goes for new sustainable energy research and development and manufacturing. Critics say that clean energy technology is science fiction and just the latest trend in going green. But that just gives countries like China and India that are capitalizing on this technology more time to take the lead. New York is up to the challenge. I’ve traveled all across New York State, and I’ve seen our amazing potential in this industry firsthand. We are home to the proudest manufacturing tradition, world-class universities and research institutions, the hardest workers and the brightest minds — every resource we need to fuel our economy with new energy, new businesses and new jobs, and lead us to energy independence. Now is the time to make this our future. No more gas price gimmicks. Cut the big oil tax subsidies, cut our dependence on foreign oil, and harness the potential in New York to produce clean energy that’s made in America.   Office Locations Albany/Capital District Office Leo W. O' Building 1 Clinton Square, Room 821 Albany, NY 12207 Tel. (518) 431-0120 Fax (518) 431-0128 Rochester Office Kenneth B. Keating Federal Office Building 100 State Street, Room 4195 Rochester, NY 14614 Tel. (585) 263-6250 Fax (585) 263-6247 Syracuse/Central NY James M. Hanley Federal Building 100 South Clinton Street, Room 1470 PO Box 7378 Syracuse, NY 13261 Tel. (315) 448-0470 Fax (315) 448-0476 New York City Office 780 Third Avenue Suite 2601 New York, New York 10017 Tel. (212) 688-6262 Fax (212) 688-7444 Buffalo Office Larkin At Exchange 726 Exchange Street, Suite 511 Buffalo, NY 14210 Tel. (716) 854-9725 Fax (716) 854-9731 Long Island Office 155 Pinelawn Road Suite 250 North Melville, NY 11747 Tel. (631) 249-2825 Fax (631) 249-2847 North Country Office PO Box 273 Lowville, NY 13367 Tel. (315) 376-6118 Westchester Office Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Tel. (914) 725-9294 Fax (914) 472-5073 Hudson Valley Office PO Box 893 Mahopac, NY 10541 Tel. (845) 875-4585 Fax (845) 875-9099 Washington, DC Office 478 Russell | Washington, DC 20510 | Tel. (202) 224-4451 | Fax (202) 228-0282 Unsubscribe - Privacy Policy

Meeting with New York's Business Community, Protecting New York's Military Assets, Creating More Transparency and Accountability in Washington, Improving Services for Seniors

March 6th, 2012 Unsubscribe WEBSITE | ABOUT | NEWS | ISSUES | AGENDA | SERVICES | CONTACT U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been hard at work for New Yorkers. Senator Gillibrand is working to pass legislation that will create an environment for economic growth, and make Washington more accountable and transparent. Last month, Senator Gillibrand’s STOCK Act - which bans all Congressional insider trading and ensures that lawmakers play by the exact same set of rules as all Americans - passed the U.S. Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. Senator Gillibrand also successfully passed another top priority - legislation to implement one of the final outstanding recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Report. As part of the package to extend the payroll tax cut for middle class families, she helped secure passage of legislation to create a nationwide communications system for first responders so that all responders across levels of government and jurisdictions can communicate in real time in the event of a major crisis. Senator Gillibrand is also fighting to keep New York’s military bases strong, and advocated on behalf of essential services for New York’s growing senior population.  Gillibrand Jobs Agenda Meeting with New York's Business Community Over the past few months, Senator Gillibrand has met with leaders from businesses and Chambers of Commerce across the State to discuss her jobs agenda. During these tough economic times, Senator Gillibrand is committed to creating and retaining jobs and fostering local economic growth across New York. Senator Gillibrand’s plan for future economic growth includes upgrading our infrastructure, investing in manufacturing, encouraging research and development, and supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses. Click here for more information. Senator Gillibrand Touring Welch Allyn Medical Diagnostic Equipment Manufacturing Factory with Boad Member Eric Allyn, Skaneateles Protecting New York's Military Assets The U.S. Department of Defense is beginning to implement its plan to cut $487 billion from its budget over the next decade. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Gillibrand is working hard to protect and enhance New York’s military installations. From the Army base at Fort Drum, to the Air Force Research Lab, and all of the National Guard assets across the state, she is proactively working with the White House and Defense Department to put these installations in a strong position to maintain and attract new missions. Senator Gillibrand will continue to advocate on behalf of New York’s bases with top military officials. Click here for more information. The Gillibrand Agenda Creating More Transparency and Accountability in Washington Since joining Congress, Senator Gillibrand’s hallmark has been making Washington, DC more open, transparent, and accountable. In fact, Senator Gillibrand was the first member of Congress to post her official daily schedule, personal financial disclosure form, and all of her federal funding requests on her website. Now, Senator Gillibrand has taken on Congressional insider trading by helping pass legislation in the Senate to ensure Members of Congress are playing by the same rules as everyone else. Senator Gillibrand’s bipartisan STOCK Act outlaws insider trading by members of Congress and allows the Securities and Exchange Commission to prosecute cases of insider trading in addition to making Congressional insider trading a violation of House and Senate rules.  This will make those who take part in insider trading accountable to not only the Securities and Exchange Commission, but to Congress’ own ethics rules as well. The Gillibrand reform agenda also takes on special interest influence, makes all public government documents available online, and would allow U.S. Supreme Court proceedings to be televised. Click here for more information. Senator Gillibrand Speaking to Her Colleagues in a Senate Hearing Improving Services for Our Seniors With an estimate of over 3.5 million New Yorkers currently at least 60 years old, and another 1.2 million expected to reach 60 over the next five years, Senator Gillibrand is working to strengthen services for New York’s seniors as part of the Older Americans Act. This important legislation delivers a broad range of senior services, from funding for nutrition and in-home care, to housing, transportation and other services.  Senator Gillibrand’s priorities include providing better aging-in-place opportunities, so more seniors can get the care they need in their own homes instead of moving to costly nursing homes, providing more effective technology and financial literacy services, improving nutrition, and preventing elder abuse. Click here for more information.   News You Need to Know FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grants Workshop In response to the devastation left by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, Senator Gillibrand’s office co-hosted a statewide Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazardous Mitigation workshop at SUNY New Paltz. The workshop provided information for communities on how to evaluate natural hazards, assess risks, develop mitigation strategies and identify viable projects, all in an effort to have the state take greater advantage of federal funding for hazard mitigation. Click here for more information. Click here to watch video of the workshop. New Nationwide Communications System for First Responders Last month, Senator Gillibrand helped pass the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act  to finally fulfill a crucial outstanding recommendation of the 9/11 Commission Report. The legislation would create a nationwide, interoperable wireless broadband network that would equip our first responders across local, state and federal levels with essential lifesaving communication tools and technology in the event of a major crisis. Click here for more information.   Senator Gillibrand with Members of FDNY Engine 160-Rescue 5 Group, Staten Island Office Locations Albany/Capital District Office Leo W. O'Brien Federal Office Building 1 Clinton Square, Room 821 Albany, NY 12207 Tel. (518) 431-0120 Fax (518) 431-0128 Rochester Office Kenneth B. Keating Federal Office Building 100 State Street, Room 4195 Rochester, NY 14614 Tel. (585) 263-6250 Fax (585) 263-6247 Syracuse/Central NY James M. Hanley Federal Building 100 South Clinton Street, Room 1470 PO Box 7378 Syracuse, NY 13261 Tel. (315) 448-0470 Fax (315) 448-0476 New York City Office 780 Third Avenue Suite 2601 New York, New York 10017 Tel. (212) 688-6262 Fax (212) 688-7444 Buffalo Office Larkin At Exchange 726 Exchange Street, Suite 511 Buffalo, NY 14210 Tel. (716) 854-9725 Fax (716) 854-9731 Long Island Office 155 Pinelawn Road Suite 250 North Melville, NY 11747 Tel. (631) 249-2825 Fax (631) 249-2847 North Country Office PO Box 273 Lowville, NY 13367 Tel. (315) 376-6118 Westchester Office Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Tel. (914) 725-9294 Fax (914) 472-5073 Hudson Valley Office PO Box 893 Mahopac, NY 10541 Tel. (845) 875-4585 Fax (845) 875-9099 Washington, DC Office 478 Russell | Washington, DC 20510 | Tel. (202) 224-4451 | Fax (202) 228-0282 Unsubscribe - Privacy Policy

Strengthening Jobs in New York's Military Sector, Ensuring Defense Department Uses Steel Made in Upstate New York, Restoring Faith in Congress, Protecting U.S. Mail Service

December 23rd, 2011 Unsubscribe WEBSITE | ABOUT | NEWS | ISSUES | AGENDA | SERVICES | CONTACT  As 2011 comes to a close, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been working hard on behalf of all New Yorkers. Over the past year, Senator Gillibrand traveled to all of New York’s 62 counties, holding more than 400 events, meeting with local business leaders, elected officials, community advocates, local law enforcement, educational leaders and everyday New York families. She strongly believes that hearing directly from her constituents is an essential part of doing her job effectively and results in a stronger legislative agenda. Senator Gillibrand looks forward to continuing her work on behalf of New Yorkers in 2012 and wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season!   Gillibrand Jobs Agenda Strengthening Jobs in New York's Military Sector As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Gillibrand helped deliver millions of federal dollars to strengthen jobs in New York- including over $50 million for nanotechnology research, which the University at Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering could apply for, $20 million for a new Army Reserve Center in Schenectady, $57.5 million for construction and facility upgrades at Fort Drum, $1.1 billion for Naval Reactor programs, some of which would be overseen by Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in West Milton, and $18.55 million for an Army Reserve Center at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island. The Senator also secured passage of a provision that will protect National Guard members' jobs while they are serving our country. Senator Gillibrand with members of the National Guard 42 Infantry Rainbow Division, Troy Photo courtesy of National Guard 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division Ensuring Defense Department Uses Steel Made in Upstate New York This month Senator Gillibrand urged the U.S. Department of Defense to require military vehicles to utilize steel produced by American steel manufactures. This rule change would spur a boost of domestic steel production across the country and bring jobs to upstate New York. Click here for more information. News You Need to Know Restoring Faith in Congress Like millions of Americans all across the country, Senator Gillibrand was surprised to learn that insider trading by members of Congress, their families or their staff, using non-public information gained through their Congressional work, is not already clearly and expressly illegal. She believes the American people need to know that their elected leaders play by the exact same rules that they play by. They also deserve the right to know their lawmakers’ only interest is what’s best for the country, not their own financial interests. Nobody should be above the rules. To fix this, Senator Gillibrand introduced the bipartisan STOCK Act with the support of 24 cosponsors coming from both sides of the aisle. Momentum on the STOCK Act is growing swiftly, as it was recently passed out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, moving an important step closer to final passage on the Senate floor. To view Senator Gillibrand’s testimony on Congressional Insider Trading, click here. To read Senator Gillibrand’s Op-Ed on Congressional insider trading, click here. Senator Gillibrand Testifying in Front of the Senate Homeland Secutiry and Government Affairs Committee, Washington D.C. Protecting U.S. Mail Service Earlier this year, the U.S. Postal Service announced plans to review its mail processing network, including studying potentially shutting down 3,700 post offices and 252 mail processing facilities nationwide. At Senator Gillibrand’s urging, the U.S. Postal Service announced a five-month moratorium on closing these postal facilities to give Congress more time to enact postal reform legislation. In New York State, this gives a reprieve for 100 post offices and seven Area Mail Processing centers, keeping thousands of New Yorkers employed. Click here for more information. Gillibrand Staff Gives Back to Their Communities in the Holiday Spirit As New Yorkers celebrate the holiday’s this season, Senator Gillibrand and her staff took some time to give back to their communities throughout the state. For Thanksgiving week, the Senator joined the Southwest Community Center in Syracuse to help with their annual winter clothing drive where they passed out Thanksgiving turkeys to hundreds in the community. In Rochester, Senator Gillibrand read books to children and helped to sort food, clothes and other donations for Thanksgiving baskets at the Wilson Commencement Park. In Buffalo, she joined WNY Heroes Co-Founder, Chris Kreiger, representatives from the VA Hospice Center, and local youth to make holiday cards for soldiers and VA patients at the Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo. Last week, Senator Gillibrand’s staff volunteered across New York State, spending time at local non-profits, food banks, and soup kitchens. New York City staff volunteered at City Harvest’s mobile market in Washington Heights, Long Island staff volunteered at 1 in 9, the Long Island Breast Cancer Coalition in Hewlett, Westchester staff volunteered at United Way’s Hudson Valley 211 in White Plains, Albany staff volunteered at Equinox Community Service Agency’s food drive, Syracuse staff volunteered at the Food Bank of Central New York, Rochester staff volunteered at St. Peter’s Soup kitchen, Buffalo staff volunteered at the Response to Love Center, and North Country staff volunteered at the Lowville Food Pantry. Click here for more information. Members of  Senator Gillibrand's Staff Volunteering, New York City   Office Locations Albany/Capital District Office Leo W. O'Brien Federal Office Building 1 Clinton Square, Room 821 Albany, NY 12207 Tel. (518) 431-0120 Fax (518) 431-0128 Rochester Office Kenneth B. Keating Federal Office Building 100 State Street, Room 4195 Rochester, NY 14614 Tel. (585) 263-6250 Fax (585) 263-6247 Syracuse/Central NY James M. Hanley Federal Building 100 South Clinton Street, Room 1470 PO Box 7378 Syracuse, NY 13261 Tel. (315) 448-0470 Fax (315) 448-0476 New York City Office 780 Third Avenue Suite 2601 New York, New York 10017 Tel. (212) 688-6262 Fax (212) 688-7444 Buffalo Office Larkin At Exchange 726 Exchange Street, Suite 511 Buffalo, NY 14210 Tel. (716) 854-9725 Fax (716) 854-9731 Long Island Office 155 Pinelawn Road Suite 250 North Melville, NY 11747 Tel. (631) 249-2825 Fax (631) 249-2847 North Country Office PO Box 273 Lowville, NY 13367 Tel. (315) 376-6118 Westchester Office Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Tel. (914) 725-9294 Fax (914) 472-5073 Hudson Valley Office PO Box 893 Mahopac, NY 10541 Tel. (845) 875-4585 Fax (845) 875-9099 Washington, DC Office 478 Russell | Washington, DC 20510 | Tel. (202) 224-4451 | Fax (202) 228-0282 Unsubscribe - Privacy Policy

Fighting for Those who Fight for Us, Securing Federal Aid for Damage Caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, Upstate Works, Cutting the Red Tape for New York's Apple Producers

December 1st, 2011 Unsubscribe WEBSITE | ABOUT | NEWS | ISSUES | AGENDA | SERVICES | CONTACT U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been hard at work for New Yorkers. The number one issue is rebuilding our economy, and Senator Gillibrand is fighting to sustain and create jobs statewide as well as to secure aid for New Yorkers effected by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Senator Gillibrand also fought hard on behalf of military servicemen and women, and veterans to make sure that they have full and easier access to all of the benefits they deserve.  Gillibrand Jobs Agenda Upstate Works In order to put New Yorkers back to work and create an environment for a strong and growing upstate economy, Senator Gillibrand announced the Upstate Works Act. The bill retools New York’s manufacturers for the clean energy economy, provides tax relief for family farms to diversify and expand their production, provides resources to assist students and working adults in getting the training they need for jobs in the future, connects upstate businesses with new markets by expanding broadband to every corner of the state and gets construction workers back on the job rebuilding New York’s highways and water infrastructure. Click Here for more information. Senator Gillibrand visiting Lumetrics Inc., Rochester Putting American Heroes Back to Work Senator Gillibrand has been hard at work on behalf of our veterans. At Senator Gillibrand’s urging, the President signed into law legislation to help veterans and servicemembers find jobs in these tough times.  The passage of the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 gives employers a tax credit of up to $9,600 for unemployed veterans. Furthermore, the bill would improve current benefits for veterans which would include the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) mandatory, providing returning troops career counseling and equip them with better job search skills. The bill also provides additional training benefits for disabled veterans through the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. Click here for more information.  News You Need to Know Fighting for Those who Fight for Us New York State is home to approximately 25,000 full and part-time members of the National Guard and Reserves. These men and women serve bravely to protect Americans both home and abroad; however, these servicemen and women do not have the same access to military benefits as active duty service members. Senator Gillibrand recently announced her plan to protect civilian jobs of Guard members who have been deployed, and strengthen the network of support services including health care services, marriage and financial counseling, and substance abuse treatment among other services. Senator Gillibrand’s plan also fights for an increase in access to mental health benefits for those returning from deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan. Click here for more information. Senator Gillibrand with members of the National Guard 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division, Troy Photo courtesy of National Guard 42nd Infantry Rainbow Division Securing Federal Aid for Damage Caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee As many communities throughout New York State work to recover from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee, Senator Gillibrand is fighting to secure disaster aid to help New rebuild. This month, Senator Gillibrand Announced over $2.5 billion in secured federal dollars for disaster relief. This includes $123 million for the Emergency Conservation Program, $216 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, $1.66 billion for the Federal Highways Administration Emergency Relief Program, $400 million for Community Development Block Grants, $200,000 for the Economic Development Administration. Nearly $40 million is reserved just for New York to assist small businesses and farmers get back on their feet. In addition, New York will receive a total of $7 million in emergency relief money from the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration to repair washed out roads and bridges, damaged roadway surfaces, remove debris deposits on roadways, and other issues that have plagued New York’s infrastructure caused by this past summer’s storms. Click here for more information. Senator Gillibrand speaking to reporters about storm damage in upstate New York, Catskill Cutting the Red Tape for New York's Apple Producers With New York State being the second largest producer of apples in the country, Senator Gillibrand fought to cut bureaucratic red tape for apple producers of New York State by easing their insurance regulations. Senator Gillibrand worked closely with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency to change the way that Approved Insurance Providers assess apple produces for insurance policies. Under the old system, farmers were required to keep track of their fresh apple crop in “Sales By Unit” terms. This was a process that proved to be highly complex, costly, and inefficient for many of New York’s farmers. Under the new regulations, apple producers will be able to be insured based on their records of total production rather than “Sales By Unit” which will ease the burden on many of New York’s apple producers. Click here for more information. The Gillibrand Agenda New Website for Service Members, Veterans, and Families This month, Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Service Committee, launched a new comprehensive government website to provide a one-stop shop for New York’s men and women in the military, veterans, and their families. The website aims to support those that serve and have served us bravely by locally equipping them with federal resources across a wide range of topics including federal job listings, career counseling, education benefits and scholarships, small business grants, housing assistance, health services, resources for women veterans, wounded warriors, and family and caregiver assistance. To assist New York military servicemen and women, veterans, and their families, Senator Gillibrand’s site maps resources in contacts in each of New York’s 62 Counties. Click here for more information. You may visit the website directly, here. Senator Gillibrand greeting soldiers at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn Celebrating the Holidays with Community Service To Kickoff the Thanksgiving Holiday, Senator Gillibrand made stops in Syracuse,  Rochester, and Buffalo to participate in events that gave back to the local communities. In Syracuse, the Senator joined members of the Syracuse community at the Southwest Community Center and helped them organize their annual winter clothing drive and pass out Thanksgiving turkeys to hundreds in the community that signed up. In Rochester, Senator Gillibrand read books to children and helped to sort food, clothes and other donations for the Thanksgiving baskets at the Wilson Commencement Park. Senator Gillibrand, joined by WNY Heroes Co-Founder, Chris Kreiger representatives from the VA Hospice Center and local youth to make holiday cards for soldiers and VA patients at the Boys & Girls Club of Buffalo. Click here for more information. Senator Gillibrand reading to children at Wilson Commencement Park, Rochester Office Locations Albany/Capital District Office Leo W. O'Brien Federal Office Building 1 Clinton Square, Room 821 Albany, NY 12207 Tel. (518) 431-0120 Fax (518) 431-0128 Rochester Office Kenneth B. Keating Federal Office Building 100 State Street, Room 4195 Rochester, NY 14614 Tel. (585) 263-6250 Fax (585) 263-6247 Syracuse/Central NY James M. Hanley Federal Building 100 South Clinton Street, Room 1470 PO Box 7378 Syracuse, NY 13261 Tel. (315) 448-0470 Fax (315) 448-0476 New York City Office 780 Third Avenue Suite 2601 New York, New York 10017 Tel. (212) 688-6262 Fax (212) 688-7444 Buffalo Office Larkin At Exchange 726 Exchange Street, Suite 511 Buffalo, NY 14210 Tel. (716) 854-9725 Fax (716) 854-9731 Long Island Office 155 Pinelawn Road Suite 250 North Melville, NY 11747 Tel. (631) 249-2825 Fax (631) 249-2847 North Country Office PO Box 273 Lowville, NY 13367 Tel. (315) 376-6118 Westchester Office Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Tel. (914) 725-9294 Fax (914) 472-5073 Hudson Valley Office PO Box 893 Mahopac, NY 10541 Tel. (845) 875-4585 Fax (845) 875-9099 Washington, DC Office 478 Russell | Washington, DC 20510 | Tel. (202) 224-4451 | Fax (202) 228-0282 Unsubscribe - Privacy Policy

Women's Economic Empowerment, Assistance for Laid-Off Workers, New Jobs through Upgrading Infrastructure, Enhancing Communication for First Responders

October 27th, 2011 Unsubscribe WEBSITE | ABOUT | NEWS | ISSUES | AGENDA | SERVICES | CONTACT As the month of October comes to a close, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has been hard at work on behalf of New York State. The number one issue on everyone’s mind has without question been the economy, and Senator Gillibrand spent the past month fighting to save and create jobs across the state. Senator Gillibrand also renewed her call for enhancing the ways that first responders communicate, and highlighted the importance of the state’s military bases to both New York’s economy and national security. News You Need to Know Women's Economic Empowerment Summit Senator Gillibrand hosted her office’s first annual “Women’s Economic Empowerment Summit” at New York University. The summit was designed to provide the over 500 attendees with a valuable opportunity to build professional skills, network, and engage in a direct conversation about the many opportunities and challenges women face in gaining equality in the business world. With more than half of all U.S. households today relying on dual incomes, Gillibrand is committed to creating a new generation of “Rosie the Riveters” and ensuring women are empowered to lead the economic recovery and help rebuild the middle class. Gillibrand was joined by the Partnership for New York City and the Council of Urban Professionals to announce a new statewide mentoring program beginning next month aimed at helping young women professionals advance in their careers. Gillibrand was also joined by White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett for a keynote discussion with WABC News Anchor Diana Williams. Click here for more information. Senator Gillibrand at Her Office's First Women's Economic Empowerment Summit, New York, NY Photo Courtesy of Abdul Smith Assistance for Laid Off Workers     With more and more jobs being shipped overseas, Senator Gillibrand supported legislation that passed the Senate to extend Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. The program assists those that have lost jobs as a result of trade or offshoring and ensures that hard working Americans who have lost their jobs and financial security through no fault of their own as a result of globalization have the opportunity to find and secure new jobs and transition into emerging sectors of the economy. The program also makes health insurance coverage more affordable to these workers who have lost their jobs. Click here for more information. Gillibrand Jobs Agenda Creating Jobs through Upgrading Infrastructure, Communities In an effort to create new jobs upgrading New York’s crumbling infrastructure and rehabilitating outdated homes and office buildings, Senator Gillibrand renewed her call for Congress to create jobs by making immediate investments in infrastructure upgrades that would inject nearly $3 billion for New York and support approximately 38,800 new jobs across the state. Senator Gillibrand is also working to establish a National Infrastructure Bank to leverage more private investment into infrastructure projects, along with jumpstarting renovations to homes and offices across New York, creating new construction jobs in the process. Click here for more information.   Job Creation through Tourism We have yet to tap the full potential of New York’s tourism industry which generates billions in revenues every year for federal, state and local governments. From the Finger Lakes’ world-class vineyards, to Niagara Falls, the beautiful Adirondacks, and the attractions in New York City, our state has so much to offer tourists from around the world. Senator Gillibrand introduced the Travel Regional Investment Partnership (TRIP) Act to sustain domestic tourism and help it flourish. The TRIP Act would promote domestic tourism by joining both public and private funding through a competitive grant match program with the U.S. Department of Commerce, allowing tourism promotion organizations to partner with other regional tourism entities to receive federal funding to market their destinations nationally. The TRIP Act would allow New York organizations and localities the opportunity to compete for more resources and leverage public-private partnerships to attract more visitors. This would ultimately help in retaining and adding to the more than 660,000 jobs statewide that the tourism sector supported last year. Click here for more information. The Gillibrand Agenda Enhancing Communication Tools for First Responders Senator Gillibrand urged the members of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to include the “D-Block” for first responders in their proposal for deficit reduction. This legislation would create a nationwide communications system for firefighters, police officers and first responders to ensure they can effectively communicate with each other and share information in real time during a crisis. This proposal would fulfill a critical outstanding recommendation of the 9/11 Commission Report while also providing billions for deficit reduction. Click here for more information.   Senator Gillibrand Calling for the Passage of Legislation to Provide First Responders and Public Safety Officials with More Efficient Lines of Communicaion, Washington DC Strengthening Our Military Communities Over the next decade, the Department of Defense will need to cut at least $450 billion from the defense budget. Senator Gillibrand is working to ensure that New York’s military assets are strong and poised to reap the benefits of additional missions, assets, and troops. Facilities including Fort Drum, Hancock Air National Guard Base, Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, the Watervliet Arsenal, Stewart Air National Guard Base, Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Fort Hamilton, and the United States Military Academy at West Point are all vital to our national security and state’s economy. Senator Gillibrand knows the unique strengths and value of these military installations and will be working hard to strengthen them as staples in our military communities. Click here for more information. Senator Gillibrand addressing a Crowd at LeMoyne College Regarding Strengthening Our Military Communities, Syracuse NY Office Locations Albany/Capital District Office Leo W. O'Brien Federal Office Building 1 Clinton Square, Room 821 Albany, NY 12207 Tel. (518) 431-0120 Fax (518) 431-0128 Rochester Office Kenneth B. Keating Federal Office Building 100 State Street, Room 4195 Rochester, NY 14614 Tel. (585) 263-6250 Fax (585) 263-6247 Syracuse/Central NY James M. Hanley Federal Building 100 South Clinton Street, Room 1470 PO Box 7378 Syracuse, NY 13261 Tel. (315) 448-0470 Fax (315) 448-0476 New York City Office 780 Third Avenue Suite 2601 New York, New York 10017 Tel. (212) 688-6262 Fax (212) 688-7444 Buffalo Office Larkin At Exchange 726 Exchange Street, Suite 511 Buffalo, NY 14210 Tel. (716) 854-9725 Fax (716) 854-9731 Long Island Office 155 Pinelawn Road Suite 250 North Melville, NY 11747 Tel. (631) 249-2825 Fax (631) 249-2847 North Country Office PO Box 273 Lowville, NY 13367 Tel. (315) 376-6118 Westchester Office Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Tel. (914) 725-9294 Fax (914) 472-5073 Hudson Valley Office PO Box 893 Mahopac, NY 10541 Tel. (845) 875-4585 Fax (845) 875-9099 Washington, DC Office 478 Russell | Washington, DC 20510 | Tel. (202) 224-4451 | Fax (202) 228-0282 Unsubscribe - Privacy Policy