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Press release:

A high-scoring 15^th annual Genesee Region USBC Association Tournament at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia came to a close on Sunday with the JAMM team of Batavia taking over the top spot in the Open Team division and Ricky Daniels of Albion jumping into the lead in the Open Singles division.

In unofficial standings released today, the squad of Jason Quilliam, AJ Allenbrandt, Mike Lambert and Mike Johnson posted a 3,061 score – 2,886 scratch – to move past Balduf’s, which had been leading the tournament at 2,920.

Allenbrandt led the way with 757, his best series ever, while Lambert shot 729, Johnson 702 and Quilliam 698.

First place in the Open Team event is $1,000.

O’Dell’s is in third place at 2,902, with Trigger Tribute II in fourth at 2,852.

In Open Singles, Daniels found the line for 233-245-279—757 scratch. Adding his 81 pins handicap based on a 195 average, he finished with 838 to go ahead of previous leader Matt Bourg, who had 780 – 537 scratch plus 243 pins handicap based on his 135 average.

Batavian Mike Pettinella rolled 232-288-250--770 to place third and claim the scratch singles title.

In Open Doubles, last week’s 1,504 (1,456 scratch) by Geoff Harloff and Ed Doody was challenged but remains in the top spot.

Lambert and Quilliam combined for 1,497 on Saturday – with Quilliam posting a 279 game and 791 series – to move into second, with Harloff and Rick Underhill in third with 1,482 and Johnson and Allenbrandt next at 1,472. Underhill had a 289 game in the doubles event.

Brian Cline leads in Open All-Events with 2,295 – all scratch – with Allenbrandt in second at 2,264 and Shayne Herold in third at 2,249. Daniels finished at 2,204 and Brian Green tallied 2,201, including a 300 game in singles competition on Saturday.

Green also had an 802 series in the team event, second in the tournament behind Harloff’s 814.

In the Women’s Team event, PBC Women held on with 2,339 edging Wendy’s Girls by 22 pins.

Members of the Perry team are Montana Bzduch, Joann Van Duser, Rachel Huntz and Katy Bzduch.

In Women’s Doubles, Christine Bovee and Karen Henry, bowling out of Mount Morris Lanes, is in first with 1,276, with Batavians Donna Wolff and Wendy Morse next at 1,259.

Wolff’s 690 (488 scratch) leads in Women’s Singles, with Morse next at 648 (522 scratch), and Wolff also leads in Women’s All-Events with 1,997, with Bonnie Wass of Warsaw in second with 1,837.

The tournament drew 43 teams (four more than last year) and 62 doubles sets (13 more than last year).  There were two 800 series, 41 700 series and 13 games of 279 or better.

At least one in five will cash. The Genesee Region USBC has 30 days to pay the prize list.

BATAVIANS CASH IN ROCHESTER

Three Batavia bowlers cashed at the Tommy Kress 60-and-Over Tour stop at Bowl-A-Roll Lanes in Rochester on March 20.

Mike Pettinella and Fred Gravanda made it to the Round of 8, earning $100 apiece, while Bill Neubert earned $75 for making it to the Round of 16. Neubert was the high qualifier with a 696 three-game series. Kevin Gray Sr. of Honeoye Falls also qualified in the top 16, taking home $75.

Mike Fiola of Rochester captured his second title of the season, winning $320 with a 248 game in the finals.

The next tour event is at 11 a.m. April 3 at Pleasure Lanes in Hilton.

This has been a great season for introductions – from Von Miller signing with the Bills to seeing over 650 students from our middle schools and high schools at the Tech Wars competition.

I can’t wait to see #40 on the field in Orchard Park. He’s a once-in-a-generation talent joining at just the right time.

But as I work with the growing companies across Genesee County, acquiring talent with a $120 million contract is not the model we follow. We don’t have to!

That’s because there are hundreds of STEM-focused students at our local schools graduating every year. At Tech Wars, they all showed their technical abilities, problem-solving skills, and excitement at taking on new challenges.

These students, and the younger kids that were at STEAM Jam that same day, need to know what opportunities are ahead of them.

In Genesee County, students have the option of great careers that come with a high quality of life and no college debt.

Multiple examples of those opportunities were mixed into the Tech Wars program and all the conversations around the halls.

Genesee Valley BOCES and the electro-mechanical trades program gave live demonstrations of their new mechatronics equipment. This is what our employers are using for re-training their teams, and that students are using to be ready for job shadows and internships the growing pre-apprenticeship program!

This simple activity created so much excitement. Younger students were amazed as graduating seniors showed off the mechatronics equipment, and the opportunity to take a cool hands-on tech learning opportunity.

These programs need repeated communication and momentum. Every year we’re excited to have a new class graduating, and a new group of students discovering what’s possible in the back half of their school years.

It was great to see Bill Hayes and Turnbull Heating & Air Conditioning at Tech Wars. Bill and his team are incredibly active in supporting workforce development. When students go through our technical training programs, there are so many skilled trades opportunities that open up. Having people like Bill ready to bring them on board is incredible.

There are also great construction and manufacturing career opportunities. La Fermière announced their project the day before Tech Wars, with plans to hire up to 135 workers in their first 5 years of operations. Many more workers will be involved in building their French yogurt manufacturing facility.

That long-term outlook is critical. At the GCEDC, we’re focused on continuing the momentum of aligning career paths from local companies to our students.

The partnership with our local companies’ workforce demands with custom programs has effectively bridged the gap between students’ career paths and developing skills employers need.

Closing out this school year, the custom programs are expanding.

Cornell in High School will start right after graduation. In less than a week, up to 40 students from Genesee County and surrounding communities will be trained by Cornell in the skills that will launch them into careers at companies like O-AT-KA Milk Products, Upstate Niagara, Yancey’s Fancy and HP Hood.

If students take advantage of this program, they’ll be well on their way to having the financial freedom to not only have a new #40 Miller jersey, but the new truck for the season-opening tailgate. I’ll see them there!

If that sounds good, I encourage students, parents, teachers and guidance counselors to contact me at csuozzi@gcedc.com and to get ready for success.

Chris Suozzi is the Vice President of Business and Workforce Development at the Genesee County Economic Development Center

Video previously by The Batavian, previously published

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia), an Army veteran and member of the Assembly Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, joined other members of the New York state Assembly yesterday for a ceremony held in the chamber to honor cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point. An annual tradition within the state Assembly, this was the first West Point Day to take place in two years following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The cadets of West Point embody the bright future of our nation, and every year we’re able to hold this ceremony I’m honored to have the opportunity to commend them for their dedication to our country and wish them well as future leaders within our military, our government and our communities,” said Hawley. “I was very happy to see West Point Day return to the chamber this year, and hope it will take place without further interruption in the future.”

Submitted photo: Hawley shakes the hand of Col. Kwenton Kuhlman, Director of the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at West Point on Mar. 24, 2022.

Press release:

Last December LeRoy Ambulance Service, Inc. kicked off a campaign to raise funds for the eventual purchase of a new ambulance.  Thus far we have received $12,640 in contributions.  Given that the price of a new ambulance is over $100,000, we have a way to go.  However, we always considered this to be a long-range project.  There are fundraising events in the planning stages that will certainly help our cause.  LAS, Inc. wishes to thank everyone who has made a contribution.  We will keep you posted on our progress on our Facebook Page, the LeRoy Pennysaver & Local News Outlets.  Again, thank you for your support!

Press release:

Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is announcing that constituents will once again be able to schedule tours of the White House and the Capitol Building.

“For two years, the Capitol Building and the White House have been closed to the people, today I am happy to announce that these restrictions are being lifted, and constituents can once again schedule tours,” Jacobs said. “I urge any constituents who would like to schedule a tour for either the Capitol or the White House to reach out to my office and we would be happy to assist you in making those appointments!”

The Capitol will reopen for tours starting March 28th, 2022. Each week, Jacobs’ office is limited to one U.S. Capitol tour of up to fifteen people. This weekly tour will occur on a weekday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Tours will likely be comprised of multiple groups to maximize the number of constituents who can receive a tour, so expect the day and time of tours to change from week to week. U.S. Capitol tours should be requested at least two weeks before your desired tour date.

Additionally, tours of the White House will resume on April 15, 2022. These tours are available on Fridays and Saturdays between 8:00 AM and 12:30 PM. White House tours must be requested at least 21 days prior to the requested tour date.

Any constituent seeking to schedule a tour should contact Jacobs’ Washington, D.C. office at https://jacobs.house.gov/services/tours-and-tickets

Press release:

More than ever, people struggling with substance use disorder need to know there are places they can go for immediate help – free of judgment and criminal implications. That’s why Genesee County’s Public Safety Assisted Addiction & Recovery Initiative locations are so important.

This month marks the second anniversary of the opening of the PAARI site at the City of Batavia Fire Department – a significant event as the department is the first from New York State to participate in PAARI and one of only a few fire companies in a network of more than 600 police and public safety agencies in 34 states.

“We wholeheartedly believe in the PAARI program,” said Fire Captain Greg Ireland (photo at right), “so much so that we’ve incorporated this program into the training and orientation of new firefighters coming out of the academy.”

Ireland said community members have come to the fire headquarters on Evans Street for support in recent months, just as others dealing with substance use disorder have reached out to the county’s other PAARI locations -- the Batavia City Police Department, Le Roy Police Department and Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

He also said firefighters regularly give out the business cards and postcards featuring the “help hotline” phone numbers when they go out on emergency medical service calls.

“It's just another level of involvement that we can try to reach out to the community and offer them the help they may need and the resources that they're out there,” he said.

Funded by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation, the City of Batavia Fire Department renovated its foyer area for the PAARI program and opened to the public in March 2020. Due to the COVID-19 shutdown, however, the grand opening event that was scheduled for that spring had to be postponed.

An official launch took place on July 13, 2021 with more than 50 people – including Allie Hunter, PAARI’s executive director – in attendance.

“This month, we are celebrating two years of the Batavia Fire Department as a PAARI partner and a great resource to those that may be in need of services in our community,” said Christen Ferraro, coordinator of the GOW Opioid Task Force. “Throughout the pandemic, all locations continued to be open and available for our residents.”

Other Genesee locations include the Genesee County Sheriff Office, City of Batavia Police Department and Village of Le Roy Police Department.

PAARI provides support and resources to help law enforcement agencies nationwide create non-arrest pathways to treatment and recovery. Anyone in the community dealing with addiction issues can walk into these locations, any time of the day or night and receive help, without judgment.

Press release:

Elba Central School is excited to host “Heroes and Hoops” tonight at 6:30 pm.  This showcase game benefits the senior scholarship fund.  The senior basketball athletes will complete for bragging rights against local service members.  The guest coach for the Elba athletes is our very own Tyler Winter, who is also a championship Aggie football coach, while the coach for the Heroes team is renowned girls’ basketball coach, Kenzie Bezon.  Leah Bezon, former Lancer basketball all-star, will join Coach Kenzie Bezon.

There will be a three-point contest at halftime, along with a basket raffle and concessions.  Tickets are $5 each and are on sale in the Elba Central District office.  Seating is limited, so get your tickets now!  American flags will be given to the first 50 entrants to the game; doors open at 6:00.  

Press release:

York State’s First County Forest has an Environmental Education Assistant Internship position open for May – August of 2022. The position is administered through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and is located at Genesee County Park & Forest in East Bethany, NY. Applicants must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED and a US citizen.

Environmental Education Assistants develop, organize, plan and lead environmental education programs to audiences of all ages in a wide variety of settings under the guidance of park staff. Environmental Education Assistants also coordinate the efforts of park volunteers.

• Conducting programs for schools, summer rec groups, scouts and the general public
• Providing customer service to park visitors and program participants
• Planning volunteer and park events
• Writing articles for the parks seasonal newsletter
• Marketing of park events, programs and resources
• Scheduling and coordinating volunteers to assist with park events and projects
• Providing training and orientation to new park volunteers

SCA interns earn a stipend of $140/week while serving and are eligible for an education award of $1,678 that may be used for student loans, tuition, classes or future college costs.

This position requires 16 weeks of 40 hour/week of service from May until August of 2022.

Hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Flexibility is given in order to cover the prescheduled programs that are outside of the normal working hours within the 40-hour workweek.

Additional benefits:

• First Aid/AED/CPR training provided
• Experience and on-the-job training in Environmental Education and Volunteer Coordinating
• Deeper knowledge of natural history and ecology
• Job duties include volunteer outings (kayaking, hiking)
• Networking with professionals in Environmental Science and Education

The application deadline is April 12, 2022

To apply: Apply online at western-ny-regional-candidate-only/po-00732618. For additional information contact Shannon Lyaski, Conservation Education Program Coordinator at Shannon.Lyaski@co.genesee.ny.us. 

Press release:

The Jerome Foundation is sponsoring the William F. Brown Jr. Scholarship.  The award is given in memory of the late William F. Brown Jr., noted author, broadcaster, and journalist who contributed greatly to the quality of life in Genesee County through his writing, and as a member of numerous community and civic organizations. 

An annual $1000 scholarship for four years for a total of $4000 given to a deserving senior graduating from a Genesee County School whose intention is to pursue a career in the field of journalism, marketing, communication or public relations (in print, radio, television or digital media).

Applications for the scholarship have been sent to area High School Counselors or can be found at thejeromefoundation.org.  Applications are due May 9, 2022, and can be mailed to The Jerome Foundation, PO Box 249, Batavia, New York 14021.  If further information is needed, contact Chris Fix at thejeromefoundation@gmail.com.  

Press release:

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers will host the 100th “Great Batavia Train Show” on Sunday, April 3rd, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Richard C. Call Arena, Genesee Community College, 1 College Road, Batavia, NY 14020. Admission: $6 (Adults), $3 (under 18 yrs.), Free (under 13 yrs.)

The train show typically attracts 1,200 to 1,500 model railroad enthusiasts and railfans from across Western and Central NY, Northwestern Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. There are over 100 vendors occupying 250 tables offering merchandise ranging from antique railroad artifacts to the most modern digitally controlled model trains. This year the Club will also be hosting the “Batavia Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet” along with the train show.

“We had hoped to host this milestone event back in 2020 but it got side-tracked due to COVID”, said Mike Pyszczek, Train Show Chair, “It's great to get things back on track again.”

The GSME began hosting Train Shows in the early 70s at the Holland Land Office Museum. From those humble beginnings the “Great Batavia Train Show” has progressively moved from the HLOM to the Alexander Fire Hall, Holiday/Sheraton Inn, Batavia Downs, and to its present home at GCC. Each move has allowed the show to continually grow in both size and popularity making it one of the premier events of its kind in Western New York.

The train club hosts two shows each year, a spring show in April and a Fall show in October. A free Open House is held, typically, on the first Saturday of December at the Club’s facilities in Oakfield where club members maintain operating layouts in O Gauge (Lionel), HO & N scale.

The Genesee Society of Model Engineers is located at 50 Main Street (Rte. 63), Oakfield, N.Y. (above the M&T Bank) and is open Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Business meetings are held the last Tuesday of each month. Visit www.gsme.org. Like us on Facebook. Visitors welcomed. (Stair access only.)

The Batavian Video: From the 2019 train show.

Press release:

This Tuesday, March 29 is “National Vietnam War Veterans Day”, it recognizes veterans who served in the U.S. Military during the Vietnam War.

Botts-Fiorito Post #576, American Legion will again this year, be recognizing those who served by conducting a brief, but a meaningful ceremony at the Post, 53 West Main St. on Tuesday, March 29 at 5 p.m. sharp.

ALL are encouraged to attend and participate-acknowledging this significant event.

There will be refreshments served at the Post immediately following the ceremony.

Press release:

On March 2nd, 2022, the Le Roy Wrestling Club took home the Greater Rochester Youth Wrestling League Championship!

Team Le Roy entered the Western Division with a 6-0 record, once again allowing the Le Roy team to display their athletic skills amongst the best of the Greater Rochester Youth Wrestling League (GRYWL).   

In dominant fashion, Le Roy exhibited their extensive skills versus Hilton, Brockport, and Greece in three separate battles, allowing the team to advance.  Their opponent in the championship semi-finals was Webster Thomas.   

Le Roy won 40-17 over Webster Thomas to advance to the final championship bracket vs. HFL.

HFL was a tough team, but fell short as Le Roy won 47-18 for its first of many anticipated future GRYWL championships!

Le Roy’s success is attributed to a unified village collaborating for the greater good of developing youth wrestling.   A huge thank you to Sean Valdez and D&R Depot for their amazing facility and support.    Jonathan Lauricella (coach), Troy Ireland (coach), Zach Condidorio (coach), Matthew Wojtaszczyk (coach), Cory Beardsley (coach), Rob Stiles (coach) and several parents have assisted as well in every capacity from coaching, managing concessions, and caring for one another throughout the season.   Congratulations to the Le Roy Wrestling Club!

Photos by Mary Winseman

Press release:

In cases that were decided on Friday, March 18, the regional appellate court affirmed three felony convictions prosecuted by the Genesee County District Attorney’s Office.

• Michael B. Collier’s conviction for attempted assault in the second degree was affirmed. He was convicted in 2019 of fighting with an inmate of the Genesee County Jail while both men were incarcerated there. The incident was caught on surveillance video. The Appellate Division, Fourth Department, noted “the evidence of guilt is overwhelming.” To read the full decision, click here (pdf).
• Iszon C. Richardson’s sentence was affirmed; he was convicted of burglary in the second degree in 2019 and was sentenced to five years in state prison. While pending sentencing on a previous felony charge, Richardson committed burglary and criminal contempt for being in the home of, and fighting with, the same protected party as in the prior conviction. To read the full decision, click here (pdf).
• Anthony Spencer, Jr., was convicted of gang assault in the first degree and assault in the first degree, and in 2018 was sentenced to 15 years in state prison. A witness testified at trial that Spencer, along with up to nine others, attacked the victim with a cooking pan. Batavia Police Officer Arick Perkins received the Life-Saver Award for applying a tourniquet to the victim. On appeal, Spencer argued that, among other things, his trial attorney was ineffective for allowing the jury to hear about Spencer’s nickname, “Trouble.” He also argued that the jury should have been told that Spencer could have been justified in his attack of the victim. The Appellate Division, Fourth Department, rejected Spencer’s claims of ineffective assistance of counsel and determined that “Contrary to defendant’s further contention, County Court properly denied his request for a justification instruction.” To read the full decision, click here (pdf).

The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc., represented all three defendants on appeal. Assistant District Attorney Robert J. Shoemaker represented the People of the State of New York on appeal in all three matters.

On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, the Le Roy Board of Education unanimously approved Dr. David Russell as the new Jr/Sr High School Principal. Dr. Russell will start officially on Monday, April 25, 2022.

Dr. Russell is currently the assistant principal at the Cosgrove (Spencerport) Middle School, a position he has held since 2019. Previously he was the principal of the Western Wayne Summer Academy, a Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES program. Dr. Russell was also a special education teacher at Sodus Central School District and the True North Rochester Preparatory Charter School.

“We are very excited to bring Dr. Russell’s energy and passion to collaborate with our students, teachers, and parents,” said Merritt Holly, Superintendent of Schools. “He is a strong instructional leader who has consistently made positive connections with all stakeholders in his previous experiences. We look forward to Dr. Russell’s leadership as we continue to follow our vision to cultivate a world-class community of learners who exceed core local, state, national, and international standards.”

The mission of the Le Roy Central School District is to provide an exceptional, high-quality educational environment where all learners are empowered to succeed.

Dr. Russell earned a Bachelor of Arts, History, Adolescent Education from SUNY Geneseo, a Master of Education from Roberts Wesleyan College, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Rochester. Along with his special education certification, Dr. Russell also holds New York State certifications as a School Building and School District Leader.

The district posted the position on February 2, 2022, and 17 candidates applied. First-round interviews with four applicants were held on Friday, March 11, 2022. A 15-member committee consisting of students, teachers, parents, administration, and board members narrowed the field to two finalists. Second-round interviews with the administrative team took place on Thursday, March 17, 2022. A final interview with the superintendent was conducted on Friday, March 18, 2022.

Dr. Russell takes over for Mr. Tim McArdle, who left on Friday, February 4, 2022, to take an assistant principal position at Caledonia-Mumford Central School District. The district would like to sincerely thank Mrs. Beth Patton, who has been interim principal since Monday, February 7, 2022. 

Press release:

The Culinary Arts students from the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center who competed in the national Culinary Arts Challenge for the National NASA HUNCH Program have made to the top ten and now advance to the next round of competition.  Their menus items received top scores from the local judges!

The winning recipes are:

• Entrée: Shrimp fajitas with red lentil tortillas, creamy avocado sauce served with a side of cilantro lime cauliflower rice.
• Dessert:  Mexican chocolate brownie

In early April, this team and their instructor will travel to Texas for the next round of competition, which will be held at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.  

If selected, their entrée and dessert will be produced at Johnson Space Lab and sent to the International Space Station for astronauts to enjoy.

Press release:

Each year, ExxonMobil offers more than $2M of grant funding to its distributors to support local schools in their marketing area. 

ExxonMobil has awarded John Kennedy Intermediate a $500 Educational Alliance Math & Science Grant under this program.

Reid Petroleum, a local distributor for ExxonMobil, has also matched the $500 donation, bringing the total grant amount to $1K.

The grant is authorized for use in a number of ways, including films, speakers, or field trips to science centers; Student volunteer programs; Scholarships or awards to encourage academic or leadership excellence in math or science; Science fairs, parent/student events; Educational tools, such as computers, math or science books, calculators, software geared toward math or science.

Since 2000, ExxonMobil has donated close to $1.25B in grants for the Educational Alliance program. 

CEO of Reid Petroleum, Paul Reid, shares a vision of education and community involvement and has been involved with the program for close to 15 years, expanding it to include more schools in the past few years under the leadership of Meredith Reid Harris.

This is the second year John Kennedy Intermediate has received a grant from Reid Petroleum/Crosby's.

Submitted Photo: Superintendent Jason Smith, John Kennedy Intermediate Principal Brian Sutton, Pam Kilgore, Team Leader at Crosby’s Batavia, Mike McCarthy, VP of Sales and Marketing, Reid Petroleum, Jack McCarthy, John Kennedy Intermediate Student, John Kennedy Intermediate Assistant Principal Heather McCarthy. 

Press release:

Spring is here, which means more people and dogs will be on the street — increasing the chances of dog attacks on postal carriers.

To ensure the safety of our delivery personnel, the Postal Service is asking Buffalo dog owners to keep their animals secured when deliveries are being made. For local Postal Service officials and mail carriers, one bite is one too many and new tools continue to be unleashed that can help reduce dog attacks in the area.  

The Postal Service offers the following safety tips for dog owners:

• When a carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate-glass windows to attack visitors.
• Parents should remind children and other family members not to take mail directly from carriers in the presence of the family pet. The dog may view the carrier handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.
• If a carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office or other facility until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If the dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner’s neighbors also may be asked to pick up their mail at the area’s Post Office.

The Postal Service has a short video on dog bite prevention available on its YouTube site, USPS TV.

The Postal Service generally receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products, and services to fund its operations.

Photo by Howard Owens: Taken four or five years ago of Rocky and a postal warning card accidentally left by a substitute carrier in the mailbox of an Owens residence neighbor warning carriers about Rocky.  It reads, "If second door is open Don't Deliver" and "2 dogs, 1 crazy."  ("Crazy is underlined three times.)  Rocky was crazy but he wasn't vicious, though he did get a charge out of barking at mail carriers wherever he might see them. Rocky passed away on July 31.

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) joined his Assembly Minority colleagues in calling for the passage of legislation (A.9095) that would amend the state Constitution to reserve the right to vote in state elections to American citizens. 

Their push to pass the legislation comes in response to the passage of a policy by the New York City Council that allows non-citizens to vote in the city’s elections. Concerned that similar efforts could be undertaken in the future by progressive, activist lawmakers to implement such a policy at the state level, Hawley and his colleagues aim to bolster election integrity by passing this bill.

“The places we live, how we provide for ourselves and our families, and the laws we live by are molded by the elections that determine our representatives in government,” said Hawley. “Allowing people who are here illegally to have a say in our laws places criminals before law-abiding citizens. More than that, it will make it even more difficult to ensure the integrity of our elections, jeopardizing the faith people have in state government itself.”