In serving as Chairman of the Legislature, Andrew Joyce has sponsored a great deal of legislation that has aided in building and supporting communities across Albany County. In December 2020, Andrew worked closely with his Economic Recovery Task Force and county leaders to approve legislation that granted over $800,000 to small businesses who were impacted by the pandemic. Joyce recognized that small businesses across Albany County were hit hard by the stay at home orders and health and safety regulations put in place due to COVID-19. This legislation has created a new local development corporation to aid in economic development initiatives and a grant program providing 132 small businesses up to $5,000 to allocate towards paying past rent and further expenses.
In recent years, the issue of vacant properties and housing in towns across Albany County have been more apparent. As Chairman, Joyce has created the Blight to Betterment Task Force to address blighted buildings and properties and improve housing infrastructure. In April 2021, Joyce sponsored legislation shortening the time limit of foreclosure on certain properties, in an effort to improve property values, enhance community appearance and increase home ownership in Albany County.
Joyce firmly believes in advocating for the rights and equality of all citizens. In December 2016, Joyce worked to pass the Albany County Restoration of Honor Act that would provide privileges to LGBTQ veterans in Albany County who were discriminated against by the federal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell military policy. This local law enacted in 2017, allowed for veterans who were discharged from the military due to their sexual orientation or gender identity to receive veterans benefits they were not previously eligible for under their discharge status. Joyce and the Legislature of Albany County chose to recognize the impact of the past discriminatory policy and also allow for the discharge status of these affected veterans to be corrected and restored. As a veteran himself, Joyce recognizes the unjust treatment and conditions LGBTQ veterans that served to protect our country were once subject to under the effects of DADT. In Albany County, LGBTQ veterans can now find themselves able to access Civil Service Veterans Credits as well as Veteran’s Tax Rebates and more under the Albany County Restoration of Honor Act.
Following the hardships Albany County and it’s residents have faced since the pandemic, Joyce and Legislative members have worked toward increasing the living wage for the employed. In May 2021, the Legislature approved legislation that increases the living wage for full time employees in Albany County. As a result, employees saw a wage increase to $15 an hour. Joyce firmly believes that the praise for front line workers during the pandemic should be backed by action. Increasing the living wage in Albany County has shown that Joyce and officials not only recognize the increase in the cost of living, but the hard work of those individuals who have had to show up to work in the midst of a pandemic. This increase assists county residents in supporting themselves and their families and also works toward closing the wealth gap.
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