Senator Chris Jacobs is the New York State Senator representing Western New York in the 60th Senate District, sworn into office in January 2017. The district includes parts of the City of Buffalo, the City of Tonawanda, as well as the towns of Brant, Evans, Grand Island, Hamburg, Orchard Park and Tonawanda. In 2011 he was elected Erie County’s ninth County Clerk and re-elected in 2014, Chris is the first Republican Erie County Clerk in 40 years. Raised in Buffalo, Chris Jacobs has been a vocal advocate for expanding local business development and improving educational options. Prior to his election Chris owned Avalon Development, a real estate development company that focused on redeveloping older vacant buildings in Buffalo’s Theater, Cobblestone and Larkin Districts. In terms of education initiatives, Chris is a co-founder of the BISON Scholarship Fund. BISON has raised over $13 million dollars over the last 18 years awarding nearly 20,000 scholarships enabling low and moderate income families to send their children to private grammar schools. Chris was also the co-founder of The South Buffalo School, one of the first charter schools in Western New York. The South Buffalo Charter is now a full k-8 grammar school and has been recognized as one of the best performing charter schools in the region. In 2004 Chris was elected to the Buffalo Board of Education and was re-elected in 2009. For six years he served as the Board’s representative to the Joint Schools Construction Board, the entity charged with the $1.3 billion dollar renovation of all the Buffalo Schools, a national model for public/private educational reinvestment. In 2006, Chris was appointed by then Governor George Pataki as New York Secretary of State. Chris also worked for several years in Washington with former Congressman Jack Kemp when he was cabinet secretary at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). While at HUD Chris worked on the Kemp’s flagship legislation called Project HOPE (Homeownership and Opportunity for People Everywhere) which gave public housing residents homeownership and entrepreneurship opportunities. Active in the community, Chris serves on the Boards of Buffalo Place, the Freedom Station Coalition and he is a past board member of the Catholic Academy of West Buffalo and the Olmsted Parks Conservancy. Chris has received numerous awards for his service to the community including the Pathfinder Award, The Rising Star Award, the 40-under-40 award and the Buffalo Urban League. He was also chosen in this year’s Business First 200 most influential people in WNY. Chris received a law degree from SUNY Buffalo, an MBA from American University in Washington, DC, and a BA from Boston College.
On Tuesday, I will be sworn into Congress. Therefore, I will be resigning my State Senate position. It has truly been an honor to serve the residents of the 60th Senate District. I will now continue to fight for our region's comeback in the Congress. Please note that my Senate Office will remain fully operational and staffed, if you have any needs you think we can help with please do not hesitate to call us. 716/854-8705, Again, it has been an honor to serve you as your State Sentor.
I support the recent legislative proposals made by our New York State Sherriff's Association, particularly the proposal to make it a Hate Crime if someone attacks a member of law enforcement solely because they wear the uniform. Law enforcement must be protected and supported so they can do their job protecting our communities. The rash of violent attacks against police must come to an end!
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/rochester/public-safety/2020/07/15/livingston--wayne-county-sheriffs-speak-on-push-for-protection-proposals#
Sheriffs statewide are uniting to push for more support.
The Orchard Park Community Activity Center and ConnectLife are hosting a community blood drive on Saturday, August 1, 11 am – 4 pm. Strict social distancing and safety procedures will be in place and all blood collected stays local, helping nearly every hospital in Western New York’s eight counties maintain safe inventory levels. Demand for blood is constant, especially with hospitals reopening to elective procedures recently.
Donations will be accepted by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please email [email protected], call Sue Hemingway at 716-662-6400 ext. 4520, or visit www.connectlifegiveblood.org and use the code 000686 to find the August 1st blood drive in Orchard Park.
Amazon’s decision to require hundreds of thousands of employees to remove the controversial TikTok app from their phones should serve as a wake up call for the Democrats in Albany to pass my bill banning the use of the data mining app on all state issued devices. Public and private entities are beginning to realize how serious a threat this app is to the privacy and security of Americans. Learn more about the app and my legislation at the links below:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-requiring-employees-to-remove-tiktok-from-mobile-devices-due-to-security-risks-memo-11594404157https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/jacobs-sponsors-data-security-legislation-all-state-issued
Amazon is requiring its hundreds of thousands of employees to remove the TikTok app from mobile devices that can access the company’s email system due to unspecified security risks.
In order to continue providing life-saving training during the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (NYS OASAS) has announced free virtual naloxone (Narcan®) training classes. These live two-hour online trainings allow participants to interact with an instructor while learning to recognize, respond to and reverse a suspected overdose using naloxone.
Training sessions are available multiple times per week on a variety of schedules and are open to anyone. Registration information can be found at the following link: https://oasas.ny.gov/keywords/naloxone.
Western New York has some of the best fishing in the country, and for all those who enjoy this great pastime, we have good news: it’s Free Fishing Weekend in New York State! This means that anyone can fish the fresh waters of our state without having to pay for a fishing license. Whether it's teaching a child to fish for the first time, or joining old friends at a favorite fishing spot, this weekend is a great time to get out there and cast a line!
Today I announced legislation I introduced that would ban the use of the social media application Tik Tok on all state issued devices. The controversial app is being used as a comprehensive data mining tool by the company with ties to the Chinese communist government. Read more about my efforts to protect our privacy and national security at the links below:
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/jacobs-sponsors-data-security-legislation-all-state-issued
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Bill-would-ban-TikTok-from-state-issued-devices-15355751.php
ALBANY – A bill introduced in the state Senate last week would bar state employees from...
It was a great honor today to recognize Village of Kenmore resident, long-time veterans advocate and U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War Jack O'Connor as the 60th Senate District 2020 Inductee into the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame!
Jack served his country with great pride and distinction during a very turbulent time, and in the more than 40 years that’s passed since the Vietnam War ended, he has applied that same dedication to a life of extraordinary service to his fellow veterans. Learn more about Jack’s outstanding military and civilian service at the link below:
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/jacobs-honors-2020-veterans-hall-fame-inductee-john-jack
It was a great pleasure for me to recognize long-time philanthropist, civic leader, and volunteer Anne Gioia as the 2020 New York State Women of Distinction Honoree! So many organizations that contribute so much to our community have benefitted from Anne Gioia’s leadership, especially Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation. Learn more about Anne’s incredible work and inspiring story at the link below:
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/jacobs-honors-anne-gioia-new-york-state-women-distinction-award
The Orchard Park Recreation Department's summer camps provide outstanding programming for children of all ages. I am glad that I was able to secure COVID-19 protection supplies for them so the camps can be held again this year! Thanks to Ed Leak, Kristin Welsh and Audrey Ramage for reaching out to me and good luck this summer!
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/jacobs-secures-covid-19-protection-supplies-orchard-park
I have always been excited by the potential for the DL&W Terminal to become a major destination again at the foot of Main Street. Today I announced that I was able to secure $1,000,000 in state funding to support the NFTA's vision for this historic structure! I am proud that over the last three and a half years I have been able to deliver $2.5 million to support waterfront development projects that will enhance our quality of life and economic development potential!
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/jacobs-announces-one-million-state-funding-dlw-project
Great news for boaters and recreational and commercial fisherman as dredging began this week to remove huge sand deposits at Sturgeon Point Marina! I want to thank all the community leaders, stakeholders and volunteer supporters who came together to make this year’s Marina opening a reality!
If you are experiencing financial difficulties during this pandemic and need assistance with home heating bills, help is available. The Home Energy Assistance Program – HEAP – is open until June 30, 2020 or until the funds are exhausted, so I would encourage you to apply as quickly as possible! HEAP eligibility is based on your last four weeks of income and is retroactive for customers who may have fallen behind on their heating bills. For more information go to www.HEAPHelps.com.
Customers who receive Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) grants are also automatically enrolled in the Statewide Low Income Program (SLIP), a program that provides monthly discounts on gas delivery charges. The discount amount is based on the amount of the HEAP grant they receive. Eligibility: An...
No state in the nation has suffered greater loss of life or economic harm than New York and it is indisputable that China is responsible for causing this pandemic. They must be held accountable and I am urging the Attorney General to take legal action to see that they are. Click the link below to learn more about my arguments on why New York State should sue the PRC!
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/jacobs-seeks-legal-action-against-peoples-republic-china
As New York begins reopening for business we must recognize the incredibly significant role that people's faith played in enduring very trying and often tragic circumstances caused by this pandemic. Getting back to some semblance of our normal lives should include allowing people to practice their faith in traditional settings. That is why I am asking the Governor to include places of worship in phase one of reopening our communities. It is my hope that everyone will have the opportunity to begin receiving the comfort of attending services as soon as this weekend.
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/jacobs-calls-governor-reopen-places-worship
(Buffalo, NY) – State Senator Chris Jacobs has called on the Cuomo administration to amend its New York Forward reopening plans to include places of worship for eligibility in phase one which began in Western New York yesterday.
Ensuring adequate contact tracing was the last hurdle Western New York needed to overcome to begin reopening our economy today. In the face of this unprecedented human tracking initiative we must also make certain that protecting individual privacy rights is a top priority. The bill I recently introduced will help provide those protections. Learn more about it at the link below:
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/jacobs-introduces-legislation-protect-privacy-rights-contact
(Buffalo, NY) – State Senator Chris Jacobs has introduced legislation (S8327) to protect the privacy rights of New York residents as the state begins to engage in contact tracing efforts as a key part of its reopening strategy. “As we emerge from this crisis and seek to get people’s lives back...
I am proud to support the efforts to get Sturgeon Point Marina, located in the Town of Evans, open for boaters for the summer season. What an incredible example of the community coming together during a difficult time to make this project happen. The project entails dredging all the sand that has accumulated, due to our severe winter storms, which is blocking the marina entrance. Spoth Enteprises will donate supervision of this project at no cost, same for Union Concrete donating the equipment and the Operating Engineers Union (IUOE local 17) will run the dredging equipment at no cost. The Town of Evans PBA will be donating funds for fuel as well as leading the effort to raise additional funds. Thank you and congratulations to all those that are making this happen!
The failure of New York State’s unemployment benefits system is one of many tragedies associated with the coronavirus pandemic and it is being made worse by the Governor’s refusal to make any efforts to fix it. Because the Governor won’t take any responsibility or action to fix it, my colleagues and I in the legislature are seeking your help in resolving this crisis.
If you have applied for unemployment benefits during COVID-19, please take just a few moments to fill out a brief survey on my website at the link below. Your responses will help identify the most glaring shortfalls in the unemployment application and benefits process so we can introduce legislation to address specific problems and call on the Department of Labor for the necessary improvements.
https://www.nysenate.gov/questionnaires/chris-jacobs/senator-jacobs-unemployment-survey
It was great to join with Rep. Tom Reed and my colleagues in state government, Senator Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Mike Norris to see the operations at Diversified Manufacturing Inc and meet the essential employees there who have been hard at work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic providing engineering services and heating and cooling products to the medical, pharmaceutical, aerospace and transportation industries.
Our visit gave us an opportunity to call on Governor Cuomo to recognize the unique strengths, assets and capacities of communities across upstate and accelerate the opening of the Erie and Niagara County economies. Thanks to Congressman Reed for his thoughtful leadership and positive action throughout the coronavirus crisis!
The crisis surrounding the unemployment system, the inexplicably long delays in approving applications and the increasing number of people who have still not received their benefits is growing worse by the day. While this happens, the administration appears to either not be paying attention or making no effort to fix it.
It’s terrible what these people are experiencing through no fault of their own. Their stories are real, they are desperate, and they feel like no one is listening. Learn more about just how bad the unemployment benefit crisis is getting and why it needs to be fixed now by going to my webpage at the link below.
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/jacobs-calls-immediate-fix-new-yorks-broken-unemployment-system
(Buffalo, NY) – Calling it the most dysfunctional and mismanaged aspect of New York State’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Senator Chris Jacobs is asking the Cuomo administration and the New York State Department of Labor to immediately commit all the necessary resources to fix the broken...
The COVID-19 crisis has taken a terrible toll on our senior citizen population while raising important concerns regarding the operations of skilled nursing facilities in New York State and the level of oversight and assistance they receive.
AARP New York is conducting a brief survey on individual nursing homes, the procedures they implemented and how they responded to patient and family care during the coronavirus pandemic. The results of this survey will help inform legislative actions and oversight going forward. If you or someone you know has a loved one in skilled nursing, please take a moment to take the survey at the link below. Your participation can help improve the care of our senior citizens in the future.
https://action.aarp.org/site/SSurvey;jsessionid=00000000.app261b?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=49473&NONCE_TOKEN=75259D241214EBA060C2EC26C18119DA
May is National Military Appreciation Month. The critical role that our nation’s military has played in the COVID-19 crisis response is a timely reminder of the many ways our military personnel serve our country. I hope everyone will join me in acknowledging the service and sacrifice of the many brave men and women who have answered the call to serve, fought and perished in the line of duty. Because of them, our nation is a beacon of freedom and justice around the world and a safer place for all of us to live.
Just a reminder that donations for today’s blood drive that I am sponsoring with Hamburg Mayor Tom Moses and ConnectLife are by appointment only and there are still good times available! If you can help in this time of need, please call 529-4270 or click on the following link https://www.connectlifegiveblood.org/index.cfm and use sponsor code 000676 to reserve your appointment.
The ConnectLife mobile donation site will be in the parking lot of Hamburg Village Hall, 100 Main Street in the Village until 3:00 p.m. today. Thanks for helping your family, friends and neighbors with this life-saving gift!
Once again Western New Yorkers have answered the call but the need for blood donations during these challenging times continues. I am proud to partner with my colleague Hamburg Mayor Tom Moses and ConnectLife to sponsor a blood drive next Wednesday, May 6th at Hamburg Village Hall, 100 Main Street in Hamburg.
Donations will be by appointment only, so if you are able to help in this time of need, please call 529-4270 or click on the following link https://www.connectlifegiveblood.org/index.cfm and use sponsor code 000676 to reserve your appointment. Thanks for helping your family, friends and neighbors with this life-saving gift!
If your application for unemployment benefits has been denied, the New York State Bar Association has announced that more than 1,500 attorneys have been trained to provide you with free legal assistance to help you appeal. Intake forms to detail your claims can be found on the Bar Association’s website at https://nysba.org/unemployment-insurance-relief/
65 Court Street, Mahoney State Office Building Rm. 213
Buffalo, NY
14202
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Governor's State of the State Misses the Mark
Yesterday, I had the privilege to address the senate to honor the life of Andrew Bouquard, a member of he research staff at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and pillar of wisdom, energy, and hope in the Western New York community, who passed suddenly earlier this month. A cancer survivor, he dedicated his life to his family, friends, and community as a youth hockey coach and advocate.
Girls on the Run Fall 5K!!! ***
My comments to the press after the Federal Court hearing this morning on Tonawanda Coke's repeated violations of environmental laws. I believe Tonawanda Coke needs to cease operations until it makes the repairs/upgrades necessary to stop emitting harmful pollutants into the air. ###
Girls on the Run 5k 2018!
As summer approaches and you spend more time outdoors, remember to take precautions to protect yourself, your family and your pets from Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Each year, more and more Western New Yorkers are being affected by these devastating illnesses. As a member of the State Senate's Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Born Diseases, I successfully fought to include funding in this year's budget to continue supporting research, education and prevention efforts. To learn more about Lyme Disease and what you can do to protect yourself, go to lymeactioncenter.com. Be safe, and have a wonderful summer. ###
Elevating vehicle break-ins to felonies provides additional tools for law enforcement, and will serve as a deterrent to the perpetrators who invade our privacy and steal our quality of life. I'm proud to work with Senator Timothy Kennedy and Erie County Legislator Peter Savage for making these efforts to keep our community safe. Read more at the link below: https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/chris-jacobs/senate-passes-jacobs-kennedy-sponsored-bill-cracking-down-car ###
While the epidemic of heroin and opioid addition is both a national and statewide concern, Buffalo and Western New York have been hit especially hard. This past week, I joined my colleagues in the Senate Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction to announce next steps in fighting this epidemic. ###
Rory, I'm speechless.. Thank you! "Here is a little video I made today to show my support for Chris Jacobs for State Senate. Thank you for all you have done for my small business" -- Rory Allen, Zoomcopy.com #Jacobs4Senate
I’m Chris Jacobs and I told you about two little words that I’m going to use to put fear in the hearts of every Albany career politician — TERM LIMITS. Well, here are four more words — THAT’S JUST THE START. I’m also going to end state legislators living it up on six-figure taxpayer funded pensions after being convicted of corruption. I hope I can count on your support on Election Day. #Jacobs4Senate
I’m running for State Senate to bring something to Albany that’s going to put fear in the heart of every career politician. TERM LIMITS. It’s just two little words but it’s going to scare every state legislator who’s been living off your hard earned money for far too long. It’s going to help end the corruption in Albany and those six-figure pensions. #Jacobs4Senate
I think it's time we had someone in Albany making sure our region gets our fair share. I will fight for our region every day! #Jacobs4Senate
I'm honored to be running for the NYS Senate and will work hard to earn your support. Please take a moment to watch this short video on my vision as to why I’m running and my aspirations if elected as your next New York State Senator. #Jacobs4Senate
Allegany County Board of Elections
8 Willets Ave, BelmontSafe Kids Western New York Coalition
818 Ellicott StVeterans Coalition of Orange County, NY
111 Craigville Rd, GoshenPawnee County Emergency Management
500 Harrison St #104, PawneeIII Corps & Fort Hood NCO Academy
761st Tank Battalion Avenue, Fort HoodMadison County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit
135 W. Irvine St. Suite B01, Richmond
Kingdom Reign Church of Buffalo
680 Swan St
Barbara Miller-Williams, Serving the Communit
P.O. Box 233
