news

An amendment offered by Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-21) to the historic health reform bill was adopted in the wee hours of Friday morning, during a marathon mark-up session in the House Education and Labor Committee. The Tonko amendment, which was approved along with a package of other amendments to America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200), addresses shortcomings to the… Read more »

& NORTH GREENBUSH, NY – Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-21) and WMHT-TV President and CEO Robert Altman announced Thursday that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting has awarded the station with a $50,000 grant for the Ready To Learn program, which uses power of PBS’ educational content to build the reading skills of children aged 2 through 8 with a focus on those from low-income… Read more »

Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-21) voted today to expand a popular and successful small business program that will create new jobs and increase support for innovation in research and technology. The Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009 will help spur job creation by providing increases in grant programs that will help entrepreneurs innovate new technological… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-21) held a news conference Monday to get the word out that local agencies have received funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, and are looking for qualified homeowners to apply. Rep. Tonko was joined by Karen Gordon, Executive Director of the Commission on Economic Opportunity… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-21) voted in favor of the American Clean Energy and Security Act Friday, a bill that will create millions of new clean energy jobs, protect the environment, and enhance America’s energy independence. The House passed the bill by a vote of 219-212. “This bill is a bold step towards changing our nation’s direction on energy policy, reducing… Read more »

A new loan program that could help small businesses across the Capital Region is being made available starting today, announced U. S. Rep. Paul Tonko (NY-21). The new “America’s Recovery Capital” (ARC) program offers interest-free deferred payment loans of up to $35,000 to help small firms pay down existing debts.  The ARC program was created by the American… Read more »

Word that Global Foundries has struck a deal with New York State to provide prevailing wages for workers who will construct the company's state of the art chip plant in Malta is a huge win for New Yorkers. Read more »

Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY 21) will hold a live telephone town hall meeting this afternoon on health care reform from 5p-6p. The ‘tele-town hall,’ which will be the first hosted by Rep. Tonko, is intended to provide an additional forum for residents of the 21st district to hear directly from their Congressman and communicate their concerns and questions about health care.To… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY 21) voted today in favor of the 21st Century Green High Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 2187), which will invest in modernizing, upgrading and repairing school facilities across the country. This legislation will improve education, create jobs and encourage energy efficiency and the use of renewable fuels in our schools.“These new funds will… Read more »

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY 21) announced today that the government will start sending out $250 economic recovery payments to Social Security recipients starting tomorrow, May 7th.  The payments, which were provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, should be completely distributed by the end of the month.In addition, payments to recipients of Supplemental Security Income… Read more »