Yesterday evening, Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) voted in favor of H.R. 3370, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which provides a number of provisions to address skyrocketing rates for flood insurance policyholders in New York's Capital Region. The legislation passed the House floor by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 306-91. Similar legislation passed the U.S. Senate in January by a vote of 67-32, and the two bills now must be reconciled before going to the President's desk to be signed into law. Read more »
This week, Congressman Paul Tonko took action to force an up-or-down vote on key legislation that would give at least 25 million Americans a pay raise. Tonko was the second Member of Congress to sign a discharge petition, led by Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY), to bring up the Fair Minimum Wage Act (H.R. 1010). The bill increases the minimum wage over three years from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour, indexes future annual increases to inflation, and gradually increases the tipped minimum wage to 70 percent of the minimum wage. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) today called for stronger safety standards for rail transport of crude oil after several recent accidents. Citing the risk to public safety and the environment, Tonko called on the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to strengthen and enforce safety standards for the transport of crude oil by rail through the Capital Region. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) and President, CEO & Commissioner of Empire State Development Kenneth Adams will hold a telephone town hall next Friday, February 28th at 1:30 p.m. The two officials will highlight federal and state efforts at economic development, listen to ideas and input from Capital Region residents about job creation, and answer questions in an hour-long conference call. Read more »
This morning, Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) hosted Margaret Brennan from the Niskayuna Community Action Program (N-CAP), to present innovative prevention efforts for youth substance abuse to an audience at a briefing in Washington, D.C. Brennan joined Tonko to highlight the need for early action on addiction to provide Capital Region youth the greatest possible opportunity for a healthy and successful life. Read more »
NISKAYUNA – Congressman Paul Tonko praised today a U.S. Department of Energy decision to award GE Global Research with funding in the amount of $2,275,671 to develop new systems that generate and deliver low-cost, high-efficiency solar energy on demand. The grant is funded through the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), an agency that Tonko has worked with and supported during his time in Congress. Read more »
Today Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman and Environment and the Economy Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko sent letters to the American Chemistry Council President and Chief Executive Officer Calvin M. Dooley and Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Director Andy Igrejas seeking a document identifying areas of agreement for reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) today urged those earning less than $51,567 last year to check if they qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which returns up to $6,044 to an individual taxpayer. Those who qualify for the EITC must file and claim the credit to receive the refund. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko will spend his fourth consecutive Super Bowl Sunday volunteering with community organizations to serve meals to the needy. Read more »
Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) announced today the beginning of a Congressional Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Competition to design, develop and produce a new software application – or "app" – for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Students can participate by designing a working or conceptual software application and presenting it in a two minute YouTube video. In the spring, a panel of judges from the Capital Region will determine the best presentations. One winning student from the area will have their design featured at an interactive exhibit at the United States Capitol. Read more »
