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Thank you to the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York (DDAWNY) and to sasi President and CEO Jeff Paterson for the opportunity to share these thoughts on the importance of this year's elections and what they could mean for the future of New York State. You can view my full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtm3jdUXWxc...

The legislators presented Legislative Resolutions to board members and volunteers of the Hornell Erie Depot Museum. Hornell, N.Y., October 27—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), and Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski (R,C-Canisteo) made two stops in the city of Hornell on Monday to present Legislative Resolutions they sponsored this year commemorating milestone anniversaries for two of the city’s historical landmarks. The area legisl

We continue trying to make headway in forcing renewed accountability and transparency from ORES, a state agency whose actions are viewed with increasing alarm and suspicion. We will continue to seek answers, accountability, local control, and transparency. Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key challenges and issues facing the Legislature, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state programs and policies, and more. Stop back every Mon

The 58th Senate District covers the counties of Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga and Yates, and the eastern portion of Allegany County (the towns of Alfred, Almond, Amity, Andover, Birdsall, Burns, Grove, Independence, Scio, Ward, Wellsville, and Willing). In addition to early voting details for ALLEGANY COUNTY above (and via the following link: https://www.alleganyco.gov/departments/board-of-elections/), see details below for the remainder of the district. CHEMUNG

At today's presentation ceremony at the Corning Museum of Glass, from left to right: Senator O’Mara, Assemblyman Palmesano, CMoG President Jessica Levin Martinez, Assemblyman Sempolinski, and Assemblyman Friend. We are grateful to have this opportunity to help commemorate and celebrate the Corning Museum of Glass! Corning, N.Y., October 20— State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), Assemblyman Chris Friend (R,C-Big Flats), and Assembl

The annual observance of Fire Prevention Week and the events surrounding it have long served as timely reminders of just how fundamental our firefighters and first responders are to the safety, security, and strength of our communities. Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key challenges and issues facing the Legislature, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state programs and policies, and more. Stop back every Monday for Senator O'Ma

There's a long, extensive list of priorities to address that, if done right and we get started on them now, could begin to provide real and meaningful short- and long-term relief to overburdened New Yorkers. A one-time, here-today-gone-tomorrow POWER check isn't on that list. Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key challenges and issues facing the Legislature, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state programs and policies, and more.

I take great pride in being a strong and steady voice in the state Legislature for our small, independent business owners. Small business is the economic lifeline for thousands of local workers. Elmira, N.Y., October 5—New York’s leading voice for small and independent businesses, the National Federation of Independent Business of New York State (NFIB/NY), has named State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) an NFIB/NY 2026 “Guardian of Small Business.” NFIB/NY represents 11,0

We need to save New York by restoring the right priorities, rebuilding stronger and safer communities, and working toward a more responsible and sustainable future. Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key challenges and issues facing the Legislature, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state programs and policies, and more. Stop back every Monday for Senator O'Mara's latest column... This week, "Tax-and-spend government leading to a

I appreciate this opportunity to join my legislative colleagues to try to advance a broader and more transparent public discussion surrounding New York State's aggressive push to site large-scale solar projects in communities, particularly rural communities across the upstate region. It's not getting the attention it demands. Syracuse, NY - Senator Tom O'Mara and Senator Pam Helming along with Senator Mark Walczyk led a roundtable discussion focused on addressing the issue of

The current timeline for implementing New York State’s all-electric school bus mandate, even taking into account its latest extension, raises far too many troubling questions on affordability, as well as on reliability and safety for student transportation to simply delay it for a relatively brief period. Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key challenges and issues facing the Legislature, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state pro

Senator O'Mara (far right) presented the staff at Connie's Diner in Waterloo with their certificate recognizing their place on the NYS Historic Business Preservation Registry. (Photo: Connie's Diner/Facebook) Longstanding local businesses are the foundation, and the heart and soul of so many of our local communities across the Finger Lakes region. Seneca Falls, N.Y., September 23—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) visited four Seneca County businesses on Wednesday to h

The creation of a state-level Rural Suicide Prevention Council could make the difference in confronting this challenge and crisis. It would serve as a desperately needed lifeline for addressing the epidemic of rural suicide. Corning, N.Y., September 22--State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning), Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski (R,C-Canisteo), and Steuben County Legislator Joe Tobia today renewed their call for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign

Denis Oliver served our nation with distinction and then devoted his life’s work to looking out for veterans and their families across Steuben County and throughout New York State. Bath, N.Y., September 21—During a ceremony at the Bath American Legion Post 173 on Monday night, State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) welcomed Denis Oliver, a United States Air Force veteran, longtime Service Officer for the Steuben County Veterans’ Service Agency, and a well-known mainstay of

The creation of a state-level Rural Suicide Prevention Council could make the difference in confronting this challenge and crisis. It would serve as a badly needed lifeline for addressing the epidemic of rural suicide. Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key challenges and issues facing the Legislature, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state programs and policies, and more. Stop back every Monday for Senator O'Mara's latest column

This is a transformational moment for volunteer emergency services in New York State. Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key challenges and issues facing the Legislature, as well as on legislative actions, local initiatives, state programs and policies, and more. Stop back every Monday for Senator O'Mara's latest column... This week, "On the doorstep of a big step forward for protecting the future" An economic impact study commissioned by the Firemen

On this Patriot Day, we continue, in the immortal words of President George W. Bush, to "honor the memory of the 11th day." Watch this morning’s 25th Anniversary ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, beginning at 8:40 a.m.: https://911memorial.org I shared some additional thoughts in this week’s column: https://odessafile.com/government-OMara342nd.htm

As always, I also take the opportunity to recall the many firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency services volunteers, not-for-profit organizations, school classrooms, business leaders, and individual citizens and communities from across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions who responded in such strong, uplifting ways in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Senator O'Mara offers his weekly perspective on many of the key challenges and issues facing the Legisl

'It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership – the American worker.' Labor Day has always been a meaningful and steadfast day of tribute across this region, a region that has been built on and where we have long honored a deep-rooted respect for so many of the foundations of this nation: agriculture and craftsmanship, manufacturing and small business, tourism and hospitalit

We are grateful for your dedication, perseverance and excellence. Labor Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to workers across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions -- and throughout this state and nation -- who build, care for, educate, grow, manufacture, protect, serve and strengthen our communities in so many different ways through so many important walks of life. We are grateful for your dedication, perseverance and excellence. My very best wishes to all of the worke