John DeFrancisco

DeFrancisco: Cuomo's abortion rights provision a "non-starter"

Karen Dewitt and Ryan Delaney — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:37:57 +0000

A top Senate Republican says Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s abortion rights provision in a women’s equality bill stands little chance of passage in the chamber.

Senate Finance Committee Chair John DeFrancisco, from Syracuse, is one of the leading members of the Senate GOP conference. He says it’s unlikely that his house will pass Governor Cuomo’s proposal to codify into New York law the abortion rights in the federal Roe v. Wade decision.

Women's groups targeting state Senate over abortion provision

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:01:00 +0000

Women’s groups are putting pressure on the state Senate’s ruling coalition to take up Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Women’s Equality Act, which includes an abortion rights provision.

Proposed state legislation would double littering fines

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:21:31 +0000

Fines for littering would double if a bill approved by the New York State Senate passes the Assembly. The idea is to crack down on the people who dump trash on the side of roads.

It poses driving hazards and costs a lot to remove. And Syracuse-area Sen. John DeFrancisco says litter that lines the highways just looks bad.

D.A. Fitzpatrick supports unsealing juvenile records involving sex crimes

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:48:39 +0000

Juvenile records are automatically sealed in New York state, so they don't prejudice a prosecutor or judge, but state Sen. John DeFrancisco is proposing an exception. He wants those records be available to court officials if they involve sex crimes.

Area state senator wants Medicaid reform

Ellen Abbott — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:14:08 +0000

No state spends more on Medicaid than New York, earning it the nickname of the Cadillac of Medicaid programs. But that may soon end. One of the reasons the state spends $54 billion a years on the federal health care program for the poor, are 31 optional services that the state can sign on for -- ranging from transportation, to prescription drugs, to private nurses.

DeFrancisco thinks state lawmakers can deliver budget on time - again

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:42:06 +0000

The hearings are over; the New York State Assembly and Senate have put together their respective spending plans. Now this week, lawmakers in Albany get down to the details of hammering out a state budget that both chambers can agree on. Senate Finance Committee Chairman John DeFrancisco of Syracuse believes it can be done before the April 1 deadline.

Miner has some fun with home video before State of the City

WRVO News — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:32:49 +0000

Mayor Stephanie Miner poked some fun at her fellow central New York politicians in a video played before Thursday night's State of the City address. Check out the cameos by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), state Sen. John DeFrancisco (R-Syracuse) and Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney (R).

State law proposed to withhold state payments to some tax delinquent landlords

Durrie Lawrence — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 12:27:58 +0000

Proposed state legislation would allow social services officials to withhold rent payments for low-income housing when the landlords haven’t paid their taxes.

Cell Phones for Soldiers drive help military overseas

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 10:46:00 +0000

If you have an old cell phone stashed in a drawer that you don't use any more, you can help a soldier overseas keep in touch with home. Central New York's "Cell Phones for Soldiers" annual collection drive continues, as does the need.

DeFrancisco and Valesky on the Independent Democratic Conference

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 15:37:21 +0000

The new iteration of the New York state Senate will look different in 2013 with the new power sharing agreement in place between Republicans and breakaway Democrats, and two central New York lawmakers will be in the thick of it.

Will new state Senate coalition be good for upstate NY?

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:14:37 +0000

Some supporters of the new state Senate coalition between Republicans and the Independent Democrat Caucus say it will keep upstate New York concerns on the table. Some area politicians believe that wasn't the case when Democrats had control of the New York state Senate in 2009 and 2010.

State Senate votes to give more money to schools in Republican represented districts

Jason Smith — Wed, 02 May 2012 12:14:27 +0000

Republicans in the state Senate Tuesday night brought up a bill that would give $10 million in extra aid to schools.

John DeFrancisco on The Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:59:34 +0000

State lawmakers have passed their second straight on time budget. Speaking with Grant Reeher just before the budget passed, Syracuse area State Senator John DeFrancisco describes the budget process and discusses whether or not it has improved in recent years.