News We Want to Share

OD&A’s Alec Lewis Named to City & State NY’s 2023 Albany 40 Under 40

April 24, 2023

Congratulations to our own Alec Lewis for being recognized as a rising star in state politics in City and State NY’2023 Albany 40 Under 40.

As our VP and Director of Campaigns, Alec is focused on building out our campaign services and is working with a number of clients in this election cycle.

City & State NY writes, “Like a meteorologist forecasting the weather, (Alec) starts out predicting who is likely to vote during a particular election. He studies the patterns, builds a budget, and hones the messaging.” Read more.

A NY ban on cigarettes within 10 years?

April 26, 2023
Cigarette in a hand being smoked
The state is testing the idea, but after legalizing recreational pot, our Jack O’Donnell says it likely goes too far: “There’s certainly an optics problem, if not a hypocrisy problem.” Read more in this in-depth report from WBEN’s Tom Puckett here.

 

Does this political insider think we’re close to a NYS budget agreement?

April 14, 2023
Jack Odonnell with the Buffalo News 4 team
Watch here as Jack joins Dave Greber and ⁦Kelsey Anderson on News 4 Buffalo⁩ to talk about the ripple effect of a late NYS budget. ⁦

Sweet Outlook for Jobs in Lackawanna

April 13, 2023
Our client SucroCan Sourcing LLC is seeing the potential for rapid growth at its new sugar refinery in Lackawanna, NY. Read more on that and the tremendous progress already made at its other refinery in Canada in this report from Buffalo Business First.

Do labor unions have the power to sway the budget process in NY?

April 5, 2023

Our Jack O’Donnell talks about the impact of their support in this report from City & State NY.

Is Governor Hochul’s holdout on bail reform working?

March 30, 2023

Just Ask Jack

Our Jack O’Donnell gives his take in this report from City and State NY.

The Natural Gas Debate and the Messy NYS Budget

March 29, 2023

Where does the natural gas ban stand as budget talks amp up? Jack tells WBEN’s Tom Puckett this will pass, but with some changes. Listen here.

Status of the State Budget

March 30, 2023
Just Ask Jack
Jack is the throes of Budget mania in Albany… From gas ban compromises to issues still stuck… listen to our talk this morning with the WBEN ‘A New Morning’ team… Listen here.

Breaking down the politics behind the New York budget talks

March 24, 2023

breaking down the budget talks

Is NY’s Democratic Party a center-left or far-left party? Our Jack O’Donnell says that’s the politics at play as lawmakers hammer out a final budget.

He talks to Capital Tonight reporter Nick Reisman. Watch here.

On the Proposed Natural Gas Ban

February 23, 2023

Just Ask Jack

Will the growing opposition to the natural gas ban have any impact in Albany? Where does the Governor’s plan stand in the Legislature?

Our Jack O’Donnell joins WBEN’s ‘A New Morning’ team with the inside track.

Lawyers Urgently Calling for Grieving Families Act Passage

February 17, 2023

Tops supermarket grieving families.

Attorneys for families of the Tops shooting victims in Buffalo are calling on Governor Hochul to reverse course and sign the Grieving Families Act, which would expand the scope of damages in the case of a wrongful death. “…Expect [the Act] to be reintroduced by the sponsors, but it’s a ways away from becoming law,” says our Jack O’Donnell. More from WBEN’s Tom Puckett.

Power Player in Corporate Social Responsibility

February 6, 2023

Jack O'Donnell Power Player in Corporate Social Responsibility

Congratulations to our Jack O’Donnell, recognized by PoliticsNY and amNY Metro as a Power Player in Corporate Social Responsibility. Read more here.

Legislative Pushback on the Budget

February 2, 2023

WBEN 930 AM logo

“I think we’re set up for a couple of real fights here between the governor and the legislature,” says our Jack O’Donnell. Listen here as Jack highlights some of the Executive Budget proposals facing legislative pushback in this report from WBEN.

Reaction to the State of the State Address

January 16, 2023

Governor Hochul delivered her State of the State address. Will the spirit of cooperation continue as Hochul moves forward on the ideas she laid out in her speech? Our Jack O’Donnell reacts from Albany with Jordan Norkus and Dave Greber of WIVB. Watch here.

O’Donnell on the Upstate Power List Again

December 2, 2023

Congratulations to our Managing Partner Jack O’Donnell on being named to the City & State New York Upstate Power 100 list (#30) which “features high-ranking elected officials, as well as local politicians, business executives, university presidents, heads of advocacy organizations, labor leaders and nonprofit heads who are key players outside of the downstate region.”

“I’m honored to be included on City & State’s Upstate Power list again this year, a recognition that reflects the work of our entire team at OD&A. While my name is on the door, our wins—passing legislation, helping our clients secure resources, delivering results—are a collective effort. If you are not already familiar with our stellar team, click here to learn more about the people behind the success of OD&A,” says O’Donnell.

Buffalo Bills Stadium Deal and the election

October 20, 2022

How is New York state’s stadium deal with the Buffalo Bills affected if there’s a new governor? Jack talks here to Political Reporter Ryan Whalen of Spectrum News 1.

Inside Planet Albany

March 28, 2022
Jack O’Donnell gives insight into the process of getting a sports stadium deal done in New York State. Listen to the WBEN broadcast here.

Insights into Cuomo’s Next Steps, the Bills’ Stadium, and More

March 21, 2022
Is Andrew Cuomo really planning to run again? What is the latest on state funding for a new Buffalo Bills stadium? Jack tackles these subjects and more with the morning crew at Wben-Am News Talk 930. Listen here.
Health Equity in New York State
March 9, 2022
Governor Cuomo’s Fee for Service carve out set to go into effect in 2023 is expected to impact the healthcare of our state’s most disadvantaged residents. Missed our webinar on Health Equity in New York State? Watch it here.

Buffalo Company Partners with Bobcat, Case on 100% Electric Construction Equipment

November 20, 2020

Today, Viridi Parente’s revolutionary Green Machine technology is being used in 100% electric construction vehicles for two of the giants in the industry: Bobcat and Case Construction. More

The Working Families Party’s Fuzzy Future

October 13, 2020

““The new, higher standard is a big test for the Working Families Party; especially ironic at a time when the WFP is fielding more candidates, forcing primaries, and winning more races,” political analyst Jack O’Donnell of O’Donnell & Associates told Spectrum News. More

Trump Taking a Special Interest in NY-27

June 16, 2020

“That’s their line of attack, that he’s not a true conservative,” O’Donnell said. “So we’ll see if voters buy that or if they believe Chris Jacobs and they believe Donald Trump and the host of officials that you mentioned, but I don’t think it goes away until the votes are counted.” More

Cuomo Hopes $18M bridge, Lagoon will Turn LaSalle Park into Next Canalside

October 20, 2019

“Rediscovery and redevelopment of Buffalo’s waterfront have been key to Buffalo’s turnaround, and the new bridge will give the West Side better access to Lake Erie, helping spread the renaissance to other parts of Buffalo.”  More

Jack O’Donnell named in 2019 Political Consultants Power 50

July 28, 2019

Jack O’Donnell is one of Western New York’s go-to consultants – just ask Letitia James. The founder of his own consulting firm has had the ear of Hillary Clinton and worked for Charles Schumer and Thomas DiNapoli.  More

$20M of “play” money

July 12, 2018

Governor Cuomo Announces $20M to Support Expansion of Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester. The funding, provided through a Finger Lakes Forward Upstate Revitalization Initiative Grant, will help to attract new and returning visitors to one of the Finger Lakes’ top tourist attractions.  More

Alstom Transport in Hornell Awarded $30 Million in Empire State Development Funds

November 30, 2016

Jack O’Donnell is one of Western New The expansion will retain more than 1,000 existing positions in Hornell and at Alstom’s operations in West Henrietta. More

Breaking Down the First Presidential Debate

September 27, 2016

Jack O’Donnell joins a panel to discuss the first Presidential debate with Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton. 

The Political Fallout of the Orlando Shooting

June  13, 2016

Jack O’Donnell joins a panel to discuss the Orlando shooting. 

$50 MILLION MODERNIZATION PROJECT FOR THE U.S. PLAZA AT THE LEWISTON-QUEENSTON BRIDGE

January 19, 2016

Schumer said that this expansion will not only cut down on the egregious wait times that make it difficult for visitors to cross the border, but the expansion will also create over 1,200 local jobs.  More

Former Water Authority Insider Speaks About Politics

February 14, 2014

Jack O’Donnell, a former Erie County Water Authority Commissioner, discusses his efforts to bring reform and why they were needed. More

Letter: O’Donnell has earned Water Authority post

February 20, 2013

Jack, “has addressed the ‘too many chiefs’ issue by streamlining management positions and restructuring management duties. Under his watch, we have expanded our service area and continue to do so. Employee morale has improved, and labor and management relationships continue to grow.” More