THE ASSEMBLY

R A N K I N GM I N O R I T YM E M B E R
Children& FamiliesCommittee

STATE OF NEW YORK

ALBANY

COMMITTEES
EconomicDevelopment,
Job Creation,Commerce
and Industry

STEVENF,MCLAUGHLIN
Assemblvman107'hDistrict

Education
Energy
SocialServices

April25,2016
AssemblySpeakerCarl E. Heastie
LOB 932
Albany,NY 12248
AssemblymanRichard Gottfried
LOB 822
Albany, NY 12248
AssemblymanSteveEnglebright
LOB 621
Albany,NY 12248
Dear SpeakerHeastie,AssemblymanGottfried and AssemblymanEnglebright:
I wrote to you more than two months ago asking for assistancein investigating the cause
of the water contamination in Hoosick Falls and whether the New York StateDepartmentof
Health's (DOH) and Departmentof EnvironmentalConservation's(DEC) responsewas
appropriate.I was pleasedto hear at the time that you answeredthe call and agreedto hold
legislativehearingsafter the budgetprocessconcluded.Now, I'm quite concerned.
If the report is true that hearingswill not be happening,it is disheaneningto my residents
and all New Yorkers.No one informed me or any other legislatorsthat you would not be holding
hearings.What has happenedover the last few weeks to warrant this drastic changeof heart?
This is an extraordinary opportunity to demonstratethat governmentcan actually work for
people insteadof againstthem and we cannot afford to squanderit.
The situation in Hoosick Falls is far from resolved,and those with private wells have
been without consistentaccessto clean drinking water for months. The residentsof Hoosick
Falls are living a scary and confusing nightmare and are yearning for answers.As stateleaders,
we have an innate responsibility to investigatepublic health and safety crises and protect those
who are not powerful to standup to governmentmalfeasance.

ALBANYOFFICE:Room 533, LegislativeOfficeBuilding,Albany,NewYork 12248. 518-455-5777

, FAX:518-455-5923
DISTRICTOFFICE:258 HoosickStreet,Suite 109, Troy,NewYork 1218O. 518-272-61
49, FAX:518-272-6313
EMAIL:mclaughlins
@assembly.state.
ny.us

THE

ASSEMBLY

R A N K I NM
GI N O R I T Y M E M B E R
Children
& Families
Committee

STATE OF NEW YORK

ALBANY

corvrMlrrEEs
EconomicDevelooment.
Job Creation,Commerce
and Industry

STEVENF.MCLAUGHLIN
Assemblyman107'hDistrict

Education
Energy
SocialServices

Hoosick Falls residents deserveto know what the DOH and DEC knew and when
they knew it. When did the Mayor of Hoosick Falls inform DOH of the water supply
concerns and what stepswere taken to convey the urgency of the matter to the State or
residents?Was there an attempt by the Governor to cover up one of the biggest public
health and environmental crisesin New York's history?
It would be grossly irresponsible to forgo thesehearings due to pressure from the
Cuomo Administration. Do not let the governor use you as pawns to cover up his own
mistake and unwillingness to take responsibility for mishandling the water crisis.
Theseare seriousquestionsthat remain particularly salient in the minds of village
residentsand they deserveanswers.Pleasehonor your commitmentand call legislativehearings
on the Hoosick Falls water crisis.
Hoosick Falls will be foreverassociatedwith Love Canaland Flint, Michigan. Do not
add insult to injury by turning your back on our moral obligation to ensurethe safety of
sommunities around the state.
My staff and I are willing to help in any capacity possible to make thesehearingsa
reality. Thank you for your considerationand pleasedo not hesitateto contact me to discussthis
further.
Sincerely,

StevenF. Mclaughlin
MEMBER OF ASSEMBLY

ALBANYOFFICE:Room533, Legislative
OfiiceBuilding,Albany,NewYork12248.518-455-5777,FAX:518-45b-5923
DISTRICTOFFICE:258 HoosickStreet, Suite 109, Troy,NewYork 12180. 518-272-6149, FAX: 518-272-6313
EMAIL:mclaughlins
@assembly.state.ny.
us