Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,SAM,ROS-Mahopac) is condemning the silence from Assembly Democrats on Gov. Hochul’s pay-to-play deal giving a COVID-19 testing contract to Digital Gadgets, LLC after receiving a large donation from its founder and CEO. A contract was awarded to the company to the tune of $637 million without a competitive-bidding process. The tests cost the state on average […]
Today, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski) and Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,SAM,ROS-Mahopac), the Ranking Minority member on the Assembly Health Committee, issued a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul and Dr. Mary Bassett, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, urging them to review the state’s response to COVID-19 and make […]
“This development still does not equal full accountability, but it does highlight a significant improvement by revealing that the Speaker was willing to backpedal after our voices collectively demanded greater transparency. The Democratic Party’s elected leaders had previously worked to end the committee’s investigative work abruptly. Their decision to change course and allow the committee […]
A statement from Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,SAM,ROS-Mahopac) “The Speaker’s decision to suspend the impeachment investigation into Governor Cuomo is a slap in the face to every New York taxpayer and victim wronged by the Governor’s numerous cases of misconduct and corruption. Gov. Cuomo’s misdeeds include the mishandling and subsequent cover-up of COVID-19 in nursing homes, […]
A Column from Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,SAM,ROS-Mahopac) It was one year ago yesterday I was demanding answersand accountability of Gov. Cuomo and his administration during our joint legislative hearing on the state’s handling of COVID-19 in our nursing homes. Since then, the list of scandals, improprieties, cover-ups, and corruption tied to the governor’s administration has only grown. As I have previously […]
Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,SAM,ROS-Mahopac) was joined by his Assembly and Senate colleagues on Wednesday, May 19 for a press conference regarding his bill (A.7107) which would prohibit statewide elected officers and certain appointed officers from writing and selling a book during their term in public office. This legislative proposal comes after concerns were raised about Gov. Cuomo profiting from his book, American Crisis: […]
Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,SAM,ROS-Mahopac) introduced legislation on Friday, April 2 which would prohibit statewide elected officers and certain appointed officers from writing and selling a book during their term in public office. The legislative proposal comes after numerous concerns have been raised regarding Gov. Cuomo receiving a $4 million book deal about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The book in question, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons […]
Statement on Legislature’s Extension of Governor’s Emergency Powers The recent vote in the Senate and the Assembly regarding Governor Cuomo’s emergency powers (A5967) did NOT return checks and balances to our state government. Any person suggesting it did is either working to intentionally misinform the public or doesn’t fully understand what was voted on. A […]
In the course of the last week, Governor Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment by two former staffers. As always, regardless of the person, I believe everyone should have their due process. I also believe the allegations that are being made by both Lindsey Boylan and Charlotte Bennett are serious and warrant an independent […]
Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) is displeased to announce legislative reforms introduced by the Assembly Minority Conference by Assemblyman Andrew Goodell (R,C,I- Chautaugua) and co-sponsored by Byrne, (A10546) which would have installed greater legislative oversight of the governor during state of emergencies, were shot down by the Democratic controlled state Legislature in Albany. The legislation […]
A statement from Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref-Mahopac) “As we approach the April 1 budget deadline, we continue to confront a public health crisis as well as a looming economic crisis created by the novel coronavirus pandemic. This is why it is critical, now more than ever before, that we pass a budget free of controversial policy changes unrelated […]
Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,Ref- Mahopac) and other members of the Assembly Minority Conference recently presented a set of amendments to bring ethics reform and transparency to New York’s government. Unfortunately, the Assembly Majority blocked the 15 resolutions on Wednesday, January 23. These rules reform proposals include imposing eight-year term limits for the speaker of the […]
A Statement from Assemblyman Kevin Byrne on “Pay Raise Committee” Recommendations “I knew what the salary was when I first sought election to the New York State Assembly in 2016, and I knew what the salary was during my re-election this year. I opposed a pay raise then and oppose a pay raise today. I […]
Two New York state assemblymen from the Hudson Valley are asking a commission to close what they say is an egregious loophole. The loophole that allows for double dipping is something Republican Kevin Byrne and Democrat James Skoufis want to see closed. The assemblymen have written to members of the New York State Commission on […]
Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (Right) pictured with New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood (Left). Albany, NY./ May 22, 2018 “Today’s appointment of Barbara Underwood to serve as New York’s attorney general for the remainder of this legislative term is a major victory for our state and its residents. While our politics may differ, I still recognize Ms. […]
The New Yorker’s breaking story exposed the state’s former attorney general, Eric Schneiderman, for the despicable, mistrusting person we now know him to be. While my anger and disappointment in our state’s top law enforcement officer swells, my heart also goes out to the brave victims who came forward to tell their story. These allegations gave […]
To the Editor: I voted against renaming the Tappan Zee Bridge earlier this year and I remain opposed to it today. In typical Albany fashion, the name change was sneaked into an omnibus bill in the middle of the night while the rest of the state was fast asleep during what’s referred to as an […]
Roll Call: Albany Lawmakers Attendance Records First year in Albany, perfect attendance! New York Lawmakers shouldn’t need kudos for simply showing up to do the job they were elected to do; however, it is always refreshing to see our state representatives taking their elected positions seriously. Freshman Assemblyman Kevin Byrne is a perfect […]
Today, Assemblyman Kevin Byrne (R,C,I,Ref -Mahopac) voted in favor of legislation prompting a new state constitutional amendment that will strip pensions from state lawmakers and executive appointees convicted of felonies relating to their official position. It passed the Assembly with overwhelming support. The Assembly Minority Conference has been fighting for this measure for many years. […]