Assemblymember Kevin A. Cahill

This war should have been won long ago. Today look with compassion toward those who have struggled as we strive for a world in which no one experiences poverty.

The Empire State’s 244th legislative session began today, January 6th. This year, we in the Assembly will continue to work toward a bright future for all residents of New York.

As of January 1, 2021, as a result of a progressive clause in the state budget, employees in every industry of New York’s private sector can use sick leave for a variety of important reasons including mental or physical illness or appointments. On September 30, 2020, workers began accruing either paid or un-paid sick leave at the rate of 1 hour per 30 working hours. Accrued leave is also usable as Safe Leave, for an absence from work when the employee or their family memb...er has been the victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking or human trafficking. The amount of leave provided per calendar year varies depending on the size of the employer in terms of number of employees and net income. For more information about New York paid sick-leave, visit the state website here: https://www.ny.gov/programs/new-york-paid-sick-leave

Yesterday the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) reopened its Emergency Home Energy Assistance benefit program (HEAP). Emergency HEAP benefits can assist those that are at risk of losing their in-home heating source. The eligibility requirements for this program are based on the income and resources available to the individual applying as well as the type of emergency they are experiencing. For more information about the benefit program and criteria for el...igibility, click here: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#emergency-benefit Ulster County HEAP Contacts: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/contacts/default.asp Dutchess County HEAP Contacts: https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/contacts/default.asp

It is every worker’s right to be able to exchange their labor for a fair and respectable wage. To ensure that the hard-working people of New York can better afford the costs of basic living, the minimum wage has increased as it has annually since 2016. Upstate New Yorkers will have seen the minimum wage increase to $12.50/hour as of December 31, 2020. For more information, visit the Department of Labor Website here: https://labor.ny.gov/workerprotecti//workprot/minwage.shtm