Leader Kolb GED Graduation at FLCC

Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) was the keynote speaker at the 2013 GED Graduation Ceremony at Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at the FLCC campus in Canandaigua. About 200 family members and friends were on hand to honor 101 students as they received their diplomas.

Leader Kolb, a proud alumnus of FLCC and the recipient of the 2012 “Distinguished Alumni Award” recognized the commitment and hard work the graduates put into their achievement. “There’s no set time or right time to accomplish things. What’s important is to keep on the path that’s right for you,” said Leader Kolb.

“As an educator, I understand the hard work and dedication that each and every one of these graduates has put into their studies,” continued Leader Kolb. “These students are from every walk of life – from future college students to business owners. They’ve shown their dedication to achieving excellence in their education by studying for the GED while also fulfilling their work and family responsibilities.”

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An open government and freedom of information are important components of a properly functioning legislative process. This is especially important in June, when measures are introduced and passed in haste – often with little notice to legislators and community groups. In this week’s column, I will share my ideas for creating a more effective, responsive and transparent state government that truly represents all New Yorkers.

ALBANY MUST TAKE UP REFORMS TO ENSURE A MORE TRANSPARENT AND EFFECTIVE PROCESS

The end-of-session rush too often compromises proper time, attention and debate about critical public policies. It is no different this year. With less than a week remaining on the legislative calendar, the Assembly has yet to see details of major legislative items that address casinos, tax-free economic development, and women’s equality. The important nature of these bills necessitates a thorough analysis and discussion. Attempts to rush bills through the Legislature by issuing “messages of necessity” should never take place next week or anytime – unless a true emergency exists.

When bills are passed quickly in Albany without public discussion and an open process, the will of the people is not respected. As legislators, we should make every effort to implement a more efficient and effective process that emphasizes the importance of public input and information. I’m proud to have supported the following reforms to put people ahead of politics by promoting greater transparency and public input: [click to continue…]

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Agreement To Restore Developmentally Disabled Funding

June 17, 2013

“Any agreement that fully restores funding for disabled New Yorkers is welcome news. I am extremely proud of the members of the Assembly Minority Conference who began the fight to preserve these much-needed resources as soon as the egregious cuts were proposed. The Assembly Minority’s budget amendment restoring $90 million was rejected by [...]

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Calling For Majority To Brings Bills To Assembly Floor As Legislative Session Nears End

June 13, 2013

With only four days remaining in the 2013 legislative session, Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) today urged the Majority Conference to finally bring important legislation to the floor for up-or-down votes by members. Numerous bills covering a wide range of issues including economic development, public safety and anti-corruption have not been allowed [...]

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Senate Passage Of Leadership Term Limits Legislation

June 13, 2013

“I am encouraged that the Senate has passed legislation that would place term limits on legislative leadership positions – a measure I have called for in the Assembly and an important step in finally changing the culture in Albany.
Limiting the years of service on leadership positions eliminates the accumulation and stranglehold on power that [...]

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I Will Be The Keynote Speaker At 2013 GED Graduation Ceremony At Finger Lakes Community College

June 7, 2013

Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) will be the keynote speaker on Sunday, June 9, at 2:00 p.m. at the 2013 GED Graduation Ceremony at Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC). Leader Kolb will speak to approximately 100 students who will be earning their diplomas at FLCC.
Leader Kolb is a proud alumnus of FLCC [...]

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My Job-Creation Checklist

June 7, 2013

The last few weeks of the legislative session are a flurry of activity in Albany, and all too often, the truly important issues get lost in the mix. One issue that is critical to all New Yorkers and especially important to Finger Lakes families is job creation. In this week’s column, I will share my [...]

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Consideration Of Mixed Martial Arts Legislation

June 4, 2013

“The Assembly Majority Conference has an opportunity to move forward with an important job-creating measure, and I encourage Speaker Silver to ensure a vote is taken on mixed martial arts (MMA) legislation, Assembly Bill A.6506.
There is strong support on both sides of the aisle in the Assembly. The Senate has passed the legislation in each [...]

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Co-Sponsoring Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day

June 4, 2013

New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) is pictured with Kimberly Hill viewing posters that were created by students in grades K-5 to showcase the issues faced by people with disabilities as part of Legislative Disabilities Awareness Day. Ms. Hill is the Director of the Assembly Task Force on People with [...]

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Feedback From The Finger Lakes, Helps Guide My End Of Session To-Do List

June 3, 2013

As part of my ongoing commitment to representing the residents of the 131st Assembly District, I asked New Yorkers to share their thoughts and opinions on state government – men and women from families just like yours. First and foremost, I would like to offer a big Thank You to all who participated in my [...]

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My One On One Interview With The Times Of Wayne County

May 24, 2013

What is your background in politics?
I have served in the State Legislature for 13 years. Prior to that I held a two year term in the Ontario County Board of Supervisor as the Supervisor for the Town of Richmond from 1986 to 987. In 1989, I filled an unexpired term on the Honeoye Central School [...]

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Memorial Day Is A Refelction On The Sacrifice Of America’s Fallen Heros And A Celebration Of Their Enduring Gift Of Freedom

May 24, 2013

Recently I was proud to recognize the extensive work of the Blue Star Mothers of New York, whose hard work was honored by a Legislative Resolution highlighting their history of service to their local communities. The Blue Star Mothers support the families of active United States military personnel, veterans and those who have lost [...]

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My Meeting With Jonathan Ray, Geneva Boys And Girls Clubs Of America Youth Of The Year

May 22, 2013

New York State Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) is pictured (left) with Jonathan Ray, a member of the Boys and Girls Club of Geneva (center) and his chaperone Vanessa Crans (right). Ray won the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Youth of the Year Award in his region and was a candidate [...]

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Dream Act Legislation

May 22, 2013

“The Assembly Majority continues to use taxpayer money to bankroll a misguided social agenda that doesn’t come close to representing the best interests of New York State. The DREAM Act directs millions of dollars away from hard-working New Yorkers into a pot of money from which illegal immigrants can fund tuition payments. Our [...]

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Introducing The “Public Officers Accountability Act Of 2013”

May 21, 2013

Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua), along with the entire Assembly Minority Conference, today unveiled a comprehensive legislative package of anti-corruption measures that would institute unprecedented reforms to state government. The ‘Public Officers Accountability Act of 2013’ (A.7393) establishes new standards, increases penalties and sets requirements to govern the conduct of individuals who [...]

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My Legislation To Establish A Foreign-Trade Zone In The Finger Lakes Region

May 21, 2013

Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) today issued the following statement on Assembly Bill A.4665-A – legislation that allows Ontario County to apply to the federal government for designation as a Foreign-Trade Zone. Counties in the Finger Lakes Region will benefit from this measure to streamline the customs process, create more jobs and [...]

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