Assemblyman Jeff Gallahan (R,C-Manchester) attended a press conference in Albany led by Senate and Assembly Minority Conference members and members of the community to discuss rural equity in New York state and renew calls to improve it. Gallahan was proud to cosponsor several proposals related to improving rural equity statewide, including: 

• A.2044, sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia), which will create a wage tax credit for employers who employ New York National Guard men and women, reservists, volunteer firefighters and emergency medical services personnel;
• A.4686, sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks), which will allow localities to work together and design regionally based plans to ensure internet access to rural citizens;
• A.9743, also sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Smullen, which will exempt the burning of wood for recreation, building heating and cooking from greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements; and
• A.5708, sponsored by Assemblyman Chris Tague (R,C-Schoharie), which will establish the “New York Food Insecurity, Farm Resiliency and Rural Poverty Initiative” to provide financial assistance for businesses and individuals in need.

“Rural communities throughout our state are struggling and need support,” said Gallahan. “I am proud to be a cosponsor on a number of these initiatives to help provide tax relief for first responders, improve internet access statewide, protect New Yorkers’ right to heat their homes efficiently and fight back against food insecurity.

“No more stalling—it is time our colleagues across the aisle sign onto these proposals to move them forward and provide the support so many rural regions of the state deserve,” concluded Gallahan.