“Today, I was pleased to vote in favor of legislation to decouple student standardized test performance from teacher evaluations. Sound education policy empowers teachers to treat each student as an individual. Over-emphasizing these exams turns teachers...

The Mohawk Valley Nine, a bipartisan coalition of state legislators representing Herkimer, Madison and Oneida counties, held its initial caucus meeting of the year earlier this week. The meeting touched on a wide range of topics, including education,...

“People in the North Country have had enough. So many of our young people are unable to buy first homes or afford a car payment because they’re being crushed by student loans. Our middle-class families and small businesses are dealing with some of...

“Yesterday, Empire State Development CEO Howard Zemsky delivered testimony during a joint budget hearing. He claimed that he ‘couldn’t be more comfortable’ with the oversight of the state’s economic development programs. ...

During the month of February, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) will be holding office hours in Lowville and Gouverneur. He knows how important it is to hear from the people of the 117th District, and he wants to hear about their priorities...

“The governor’s continued fixation on Washington was on full display during his budget address today. It isn’t productive. The governor should be focused on balancing our budget. We’re facing a $4 billion deficit. The new spending, new fees and...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) will be holding office hours in Westmoreland and Camden this month. He knows how important it is to be accessible and responsive to his constituents, and he wants to hear about their priorities as state...

“The proposals that the governor outlined today are more of the same: more spending, more bureaucracy and no plan to cut taxes for middle-class families and small businesses. We’re facing a ballooning budget deficit estimated to run at least $4 billion....

To hear the administration tell it, the last eight years have seen the state finally find firm financial standing after years of reckless spending and mismanagement. In the governor’s view, these failings have been familial and bipartisan. (Smart money...

“I am pleased to be included in the New York Farm Bureau’s Circle of Friends for the eighth consecutive year. Family farmers in the North Country know I share their values and listen intently to their concerns. They know I go to Albany to solve their...

“The governor’s presidential campaign continues. Yesterday, he appeared on NPR to express his opposition to a controversial federal tax provision. His argument shows how out of touch he is with people around here. “Usually, the governor at...

Serving as a firefighter is one of the most dangerous jobs one can imagine. To run into a burning building takes someone with extreme bravery. These individuals are some of the most respected and cherished public servants in any city, town or village,...

This year, I experienced one of the longest and most drawn out ends of session ever. While I understand there needs to be a meeting of the minds and sometimes it is hard to see eye-to-eye, far too much time was spent sitting and waiting in a state of...

Recently, one of the bridges in our area made breaking news. It was revealed that this bridge was no longer safe to use for school buses carrying children to and from school. News like this is both unsettling for our local residents and a logistical nightmare...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush’s (R,C,I-Black River) Staff will hold mobile office hours on Thursday, October 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Camden Village Office and Thursday, October 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Westmoreland Town Office. Residents and elected...

While it’s been said multiple times before, agriculture is one of the most, if not the most, important industries in America. Each year, the number of farms and farmers decreases, while the population of our country increases. The future does not look...

With what seems like a new natural disaster occurring every week, previous disasters unfortunately take a back seat in the minds of those around the state and country. This past month we have seen Hurricanes Harvey and Irma leave a path of flooding and...

This past year, an issue that flew under the radar for many was the shift in New York’s STAR Program. This shift, while small, is already leaving many New Yorkers uneasy and overburdened. While the objections to this shift in the STAR Program have been...

Labor Day has come and gone. Summer vacation is officially over, and the sound of school bells ringing can be heard across the state. While the frenzy of the school year has just gotten underway, it is important we take a moment and speak to our students...

This past week, I had the opportunity to tour a local correctional facility in the 117th Assembly District and came across something problematic. While meeting with the hard-working men and women who help keep the criminals locked up and our community...