Didi Barrett

Barrett also has had a long and profound understanding of the importance of farming, environmental protection, tourism and sound land-use policies in the region.

Read the full endorsement at the Poughkeepsie Journal

Ms. Barrett helped persuade Governor Cuomo to make [Columbia] county a priority for high-speed internet service. Access to that type of service will spur commerce and job growth in the county and could well determine the course of our economic future. – Columbia Paper

Read Full Endorsement at the Columbia Paper

Barrett’s experience and performance make her an easy choice for this paper’s endorsement.

New York State Assembly

In the race for the 106th district in the New York State Assembly, incumbent Didi Barrett (D) is being challenged by newcomer Dr. Terry Sullivan (R).

Barrett has served in office since 2012 — working hard for the residents of the Hudson Valley. As evidenced by her famed Diner Stop Tours, during which she visits local eateries to confab with her constituency, Barrett clearly has a finger on the pulse of the community.

A Millbrook resident, Barrett has worked to garner funds for everything from the renovation of Memorial Hall in Pine Plains (to become a regional performing arts center) to throwing her support behind the eight-mile northward extension of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail to reforming Albany.

While Dr. Sullivan, a Copake resident, has made some promises that sound appealing, Barrett’s experience and performance make her an easy choice for this paper’s endorsement.  - Millerton News

Along with stunning natural resources, the Hudson Valley has a rich cultural heritage. Our wealth of local, state and national historic sites contributes to the region’s growing status as a top tourist destination, while at the same time making it – as we all well know – a very special place to live and work. Since these historic treasures are so ingrained in the fabric of the Hudson Valley, it is vital we do all we can to preserve them. With this in mind, my office has been developing a historic preservation training and apprenticeship initiative called Our Heritage/Our Future to help prepare the next generation of tradespeople and skilled artisans to restore and preserve state historic properties, as well as to work on the many other historic homes and structures that dot the region.

Our Heritage/Our Future began in our office after numerous meetings with local historic sites that revealed the need for skilled workers to repair and upkeep these sites. We discovered that even the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has difficulty finding qualified workers to repair their properties. SHPO shared that they regularly get calls from private property owners looking for recommendations for contractors who know about wooden windows, slate roofs, decorative plaster or other features found in older houses – and they rarely have names to suggest.

Today’s corruption allegations, if true, continue to show a profound lack of respect for the people of the state by those who use their positions for personal gain. It is disheartening and continues to undermine the good work of government. I am tired of it and I know the public is too.

The Hudson River is the lifeline of this region; it connects us economically, culturally, and historically. I stand with Senator Gillibrand and share her concerns that the dredging in the river is not complete and the remaining PCBs continue to threaten the well-being of the Hudson. As someone who has long been an outspoken advocate for safeguarding and preserving the vitality of the mighty Hudson, I urge the EPA to reverse its decision to stop PCB dredging.

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D, Columbia - Dutchess) announced that she hosted a roundtable on Aging in Place in rural counties with local leaders, and special guest, Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz, the Chair of the New York State Assembly’s Aging Committee. This region has among the oldest population in the state and the roundtable was an opportunity to familiarize the leadership of the Aging Committee on the specific issues facing this population here in Columbia and Dutchess counties.

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D - Columbia, Dutchess) announced that she will seek re-election to the New York State Assembly in the 106th District. She was first elected in a special election in March of 2012, and was subsequently re-elected in November 2012 and 2014.

“Over the past four and a half years, I have had the privilege of representing this beautiful Hudson Valley Assembly District and the families, farmers and community leaders that make our region one of the finest,” said Barrett. “My top priority has always been advocating for local concerns and I am proud of all we have accomplished.  There is still work to be done and that is why I am running for re-election this fall.”

Dear Rear Admiral Poulin:

I write to you regarding the proposed new anchorage grounds in the Hudson River from Yonkers, NY to Kingston, NY.

As the Assemblymember representing twenty municipalities in the Hudson Valley including seven along the banks of the Hudson River, I am very concerned about the potential negative impact these proposed anchorages would have on our region. Since I have been in office, I have worked alongside my neighbors and constituents in opposition to any project or proposal that would negatively impact our beautiful Hudson Valley communities, our economy, and our natural, cultural and historic treasures. These proposed anchorage sites put at serious risk both the majestic Hudson River, following decades spent working to clean it up, and the Hudson Valley economy, which is just emerging from the recession thanks to a robust tourism and agricultural boom. 

The safety of our students is paramount and no child, parent, teacher or administrator should worry about the water in school drinking fountains. Many school districts have taken an early lead on this issue and have already tested their drinking water, but for those who have not, this legislation will ensure their water is tested, that parents and teachers are aware of what is in the school’s water and most importantly it will keep our children safe