news

 Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-21) voted today to help those hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment compensation for Americans who have lost or are on the verge of losing their benefits. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to millions of workers, families and businesses nationwide. The bill passed the House… Read more »

Congressman Paul Tonko announced today that the Department of Energy has awarded the Town of Colonie an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) worth $661,900. Under the federal EECBG Program, which is being funded for the first time by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, grants are awarded to help communities reduce their energy use and fossil fuel emissions and… Read more »

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-21) announced today that the Department of Energy has awarded $13.7 million dollars in Recovery Act funding for the development of new geothermal energy projects and research into advanced geothermal technologies in the 21st Congressional District. The funds are part of $338 million dollars in Recovery Act grants nationwide that are targeted towards accelerating… Read more »

Congressman Paul Tonko announced Tuesday that the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) in Rensselaer will receive a $37 million federal grant for a Smart Grid project that will save New Yorkers money on their utility bills and conserve electricity.Funding for this grant is from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and is part of $3.4 billion in grants for Smart Grid… Read more »

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-21) will speak at the Day of Climate Action rally being held Saturday, October 24th in Albany’s West Capitol Park. The rally starts at 2pm.The rally is part of an international day of action calling for world leaders to take fast and effective action to combat global warming. The rally in Albany is one of more than 2,000 events being held in over 140… Read more »

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-21) voted in favor of the Solar Technology Roadmap Act of 2010 (H.R. 3585), a bill that will strengthen the American solar technology industry through a research and development program that will focus on public-private partnerships. Congressman Tonko is a co-sponsor of the bill, which passed the House by a vote of 310-106.“This is bill is another step in… Read more »

The House of Representatives today passed H. J. Res. 26, to grant Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski honorary posthumous citizenship for his service during the American Revolutionary War.“Casimir Pulaski was one of the great heroes of the American Revolution,” said Rep Tonko (NY-21). “He was a dedicated freedom fighter who deserves the highest recognition the United… Read more »

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-21) voted for legislation that will protect Upstate New York’s dairy farmers, which passed the House by a vote of 263-162, in the Agriculture Appropriations Act, H.R. 2997.The bill helps rural communities hit by the economic crisis. It builds on the success of the Recovery Act with investments in community facilities, housing, water projects and rural… Read more »

Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-21) joined his colleagues on the Congressional Dairy Caucus in an hour-long meeting Thursday afternoon with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, asking for immediate action from the Department of Agriculture to blunt the effects of the sharp downturn in the economy, which have been nearly catastrophic for many medium and small dairy farms throughout the 21st… Read more »

U.S. Representative Paul Tonko (NY-21) voted today in favor of a bill that would protect seniors from unfair increases that could hit their 2010 Medicare Part B premiums. The Medicare Premium Fairness Act will protect 4 million new enrollees and retirees, as well as cash strapped state budgets which cover premiums for 7-million low-income seniors.“We need to keep health care… Read more »