News from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb
Assembly Office:
933 Legislative Office Building • Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-3751
District Offices:
607 West Washington Street • Suite 2 • Geneva, NY 14456 • (315) 781-2030
E-mail:
kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us

For Release: IMMEDIATELY, March 22, 2016
Contact: Michael Fraser, (518) 455-3751 (office); (518) 859-8518 (cell)
Statement From Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) On The Passing Of Mixed Martial Arts Bill

"In Albany, it's better to be seven years late than never. Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts ends one of the most dysfunctional legislative ordeals we've seen in the Assembly.

Support for legalizing MMA has existed in the Assembly for years. But the courage to challenge those who obstructed the bill had not. While the Senate passed legislation seven times, the Assembly blocked a measure with widespread, bipartisan support.

I am proud that members of the Minority Conference have demanded a floor vote on MMA year after year. The prolonged dysfunction displayed by the Assembly Majority simply delayed the inevitable, and ensured economic opportunities and revenue-generating events were sent to other states.

Today represents a victory for MMA participants, supporters, fans - and for the state Assembly. A controversial bill came to the floor, it was passionately debated, and we took a vote that was long overdue.

This practice must become the rule in our Chamber, rather than a rare exception."