Author Archives: Diner Dialogues

About Diner Dialogues

Didi Barrett was elected to the New York State Assembly in a special election in March 2012 and re-elected to a full term in November 2012. Her district, the 106th AD, covers some of the most beautiful parts of Columbia and Dutchess Counties. She has deep roots in the Hudson Valley and came to elected office after a career as a community activist, writer and longtime leader of not-for-profit organizations. Didi is passionate about the agricultural, natural, cultural and historic resources of the Hudson Valley and their critical importance as economic engines and job generators. She is also a great fan of the iconic diners that dot the region. As a member of the Assembly she serves on the Committees on Aging; Agriculture; Economic Development, Job Creation, Commerce and Industry; Mental Health; Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development and Veterans Affairs.

Taking the Oath of Office

Posted on February 10, 2019

My remarks after January 2019 Swearing In: I want to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for joining me, Alec, and my Team today to celebrate our — and I mean all of us when I … Continue reading →

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Libraries Matter!

Posted on February 2, 2018

I was honored this year to be appointed Chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Libraries and Education Technology. As a lifelong library fan, I have particularly delighted in working with the l6 local libraries in my 106th Assembly District–all … Continue reading →

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Our Veterans: From Pearl Harbor to the Hudson Valley

Posted on November 10, 2017

As we gather on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month to honor our nation’s veterans, I feel privileged to share a very special experience I had when colleagues and I from the Veterans Affairs Committees … Continue reading →

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New Yorkers not ATMs for Utilities

Posted on October 25, 2017

This op-ed is based upon the public comments we delivered to the PSC regarding Central Hudson’s proposed rate hike.  I am honored to represent nine towns in Dutchess County in the state Assembly that are covered by Central Hudson’s gas … Continue reading →

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Urging Gov. Cuomo to Protect our Hudson River

Posted on August 7, 2017

The following remarks are from our press conference with Sen. Sue Serino, Scenic Hudson and Riverkeeper to urge Governor Cuomo to sign A6825a/S5197b.  Good morning and thank you to everyone who has joined in this concerted effort to fight for … Continue reading →

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Our 2017 Women’s History in the Hudson Valley Booklet

Posted on March 25, 2017

This year, 2017, marks the 100th anniversary of  New York State signing woman’s suffrage into law. New York’s legislation became law three years before the U.S. passed the 19th Amendment– which ensured the right to vote for women across the … Continue reading →

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Being Fair to all Direct and Home Care Workers

Posted on March 22, 2017

Over the last few years – and increasingly since the #befair2directcare movement kicked off on social media – my office has been at the forefront of advocating for our region’s direct care and home health providers. These are the people … Continue reading →

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Embarking on a Third Full Term in Government

Posted on February 2, 2017

The following are the remarks I gave at my Swearing-In Celebration, officiated by Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul on January 28, 2017 at the Hudson Opera House. Thank you all for being here to celebrate with me, my family and our … Continue reading →

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Hugs as Criminal Justice Reform

Posted on December 23, 2016

Criminal justice reform can take many forms and include a range of policies: Raising the Age, sentencing and bail reform, revisiting solitary confinement, or increasing alternatives to incarceration, as in the new Stabilization Center in Dutchess County. It can also … Continue reading →

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Our Vets: How You Gonna Keep ’em Down on the Farm

Posted on November 27, 2016

At a recent Veterans Day commemoration in Ancram, the Hudson Valley musician/singer Mark Rust led the packed room in a rousing chorus of the World War I era song “How You Gonna Keep ’em Down on the Farm (after they’ve … Continue reading →

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