Congressman Williams Joins Troop D, of the New York State Troopers, and Local Leaders to Discuss the State of Retention and Recruitment of Law Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies require increased support to address the current recruitment and retention challenges they face.

Most recently, as your Representative, I submitted funding requests to provide crucial support for law enforcement in our district. These requests include $1 million to expand the number of neighborhood security cameras in Syracuse, covering 30 additional neighborhoods.

Additionally, I have requested $220,000 for the town of Geddes, which faces a 33.5% higher crime rate compared to other municipalities in the US. With only 13 full-time officers serving a population of 10,500 residents, this funding would enable them to acquire advanced equipment and technology to enhance their capabilities. These investments are vital in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting serious crimes that threaten the public safety of our communities, especially in communities with strained numbers of law enforcement personnel and resources.

Nationwide, the negative portrayal of law enforcement in the media, which has persisted over the years, has had severe ramifications on the profession, making it less appealing, more perilous, and creating a serious disconnect between law enforcement and the community, irrespective of any defunding. Moreover, this portrayal has also compromised the safety of communities as law enforcement is burdened with the responsibility of serving an expanded population with limited resources.

Here in Central New York, we have firmly opposed the movement to "defund the police" and have actively worked to call attention to policies, like bail reform, that pose risks to the safety of our communities and law enforcement. During my remarks to Troop D, I drew parallels between the challenging environment and morale that existed within the U.S. Military in the 1970s and the present generation's desire for a mission, purpose, and meaningful service to their communities. Just as leadership at that time was able to transform the environment, today's new leadership has the power to foster respect and provide enhanced support for law enforcement.
 
Below, you can find legislation I have co-sponsored to support law enforcement:

• SERVE Our Communities Act [H.R.304] – Creates a $10M grant for anti-recidivism education in prisons and conditions funding on states having reasonable bail laws.
• Prosecutors Need to Prosecute Act [H.R.27] – Conditions JAG grants on DAS reporting information related to how frequently they prosecute certain crimes.
• Protect and Serve Act [H.R.743] – Creates a new federal offense for assaulting law enforcement officers
• Law Enforcement Bill of Rights [H.Res.285] – Resolution establishing a "Bill of Rights" to support United States law enforcement personnel nationwide in their work to protect our communities.
• Resolution [H.Res.69] supporting law enforcement and denouncing "defund the police."
• Prosecuting Gun Crimes Saves Lives Act – Creates a “Prosecute Gun Crimes Program” in cities with high levels of gun violence.

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Congressman Williams Tours National Grid's New Transmission Towers and Meets with Rural Municipal Commissioners and Elected Officials

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit Boonville and nearby Lyons Falls, where I toured National Grid's multi-faceted Smart Path Connect Project in partnership with the New York State Power Authority. While en route to the construction site, I received a detailed briefing on the ongoing upgrades aimed at enhancing the capacity of the electrical grid, facilitating the transmission of an additional 1,000 megawatts of clean, renewable energy, such as hydroelectric power, across New York State. 

This initiative involves the replacement of aging wooden H-frame transmission towers, some dating back to the 1950s, with taller American-made steel monopole towers, resulting in a reduced footprint on properties like farmland due to their increased heights. The project will also rebuild and expand several substations along the impacted transmission corridors.

Despite this large undertaking, I met with several town officials and the Superintendent of the Boonville Municipal Commission who all expressed uncertainty and doubt about the overall energy policy decisions being made by New York State. Almost all the power transmitted by these towers will pass right through our area and head downstate to serve New York City's energy consumption needs.

Rural community leaders are sounding the alarm about New York State's net-zero carbon mandates, raising grave concerns about their ability to upgrade local transmission capacities, often at a minimum of twofold or more, to meet even the dullest of mandates, such as electrifying public school buses.

In many cases, these upgrades would demand capacities that far surpass the existing infrastructure's supply, posing significant challenges. These are the harsh realities that rural municipalities face in the so-called "net zero-carbon world." With nearly 90% of the state being rural according to US Census Data, we simply cannot afford to underestimate or ignore this urgent crisis.

Embedded in this year's state budget were additional green energy mandates that further strain the energy supply of rural communities, threatening to increase household costs for monthly heating and cooking bills. These concerns stem from the State Budget's mandate to ban natural gas hookups and fossil fuel-burning equipment in new homes and buildings starting in 2025. A recently published news article echoed these same concerns I heard:

"Leaders in New York's power supply industry have doubts the state's electric grid can handle the demand of new mandates included in the 2024 budget intended to limit greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner energy."

As noted by these rural leaders, the scientific evidence unequivocally indicates that New York State's hasty endeavors to mandate clean energy and environmental policies place a strain on our grid infrastructure, posing a significant threat to every single household's ability to heat, cook, and keep the lights on.

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Congressman Brandon Williams Provides a Reality Check on the Transition to a "Net Zero-Carbon World" at New Hartford Town Hall

At this week's town hall in New Hartford, I was asked about my views on nuclear and the future of our energy policy. 

As I started off my response, I stressed the importance of making informed energy policy decisions that are not driven by simplistic rhetoric aimed at appeasing extreme factions. Instead, we need decisions on energy policy based on the complex and intricate scientific and economic optimizations involved in the various processes of energy production, conversion, distribution, and consumption.

With New York State households already paying 51% more for their monthly electricity bills than the national average, it is grossly irresponsible for the State to rush a transition to intermittent power sources such as solar and wind, while reducing the existing supply of baseload electricity from reliable sources like natural gas and nuclear energy. 

This complex and interconnected system requires a range of stakeholders, policies, household economics, and environmental considerations that must be considered before these consequential decisions are made.

As the Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee, I hold jurisdiction and responsibility for researching, developing, and demonstrating emerging energy technology projects with commercial applications on behalf of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Given my background as the first Nuclear Submarine Veteran to serve in Congress in 50 years and my experience qualifying on two different pressurized water nuclear reactor designs, I am particularly dedicated to advocating for innovative and advanced technologies as part of our nation's energy policy to address our growing consumption needs.

To watch my full response, click here or on the image above.

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If you are experiencing difficulty with a federal agency, my office can help.

Trained caseworkers can assist with agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. While we cannot guarantee a favorable outcome, we will do our best to help you receive a fair and timely response to your problem.

Residents of the 22nd Congressional District can contact our Syracuse (315-233-4333) or Utica (315-732-0713) offices for assistance. You can also submit a request on my website here.

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