What do youth football, bicycles, packaging materials and beverages have in common? Little, except this: downstate legislators have tried to either overregulate or ban what we do, consume or use in our personal lives. Most recently, we’ve seen them...

New York has had a tough time over the last few years. We’ve been hit the hardest by the economic recession and its effects have been felt longer in our state than any other in the nation. It’s been difficult for everyone, especially here in upstate...

Gov. Cuomo has touted his 2013-14 Executive Budget as sensitive to the needs of Upstate New York; but as I have been reviewing his budget, I’ve found a glaring hole in his plan – meaningful unfunded mandate relief. Unfunded mandates are one of the...

During my tenure in the Assembly, we have worked to end the dysfunction that has plagued Albany for decades. We accomplished some great things like the lowest income tax rate for middle-income families in nearly 60 years, among other things. Cooperation...

After a hurried start to the 2013 Legislative Session, one thing has become quite clear to me. This year will not be like 2011 or 2012. Those years were marked by consistent cooperation between the Legislature and the governor, who worked together as...

Politics can sometimes be polarizing, leaving folks feeling that there is more that divides us than unites us as New Yorkers and Americans. Certainly we face great challenges nationwide and here at home, but by putting aside the bickering we can effectively...

If there’s one thing of which I am certain, it’s that you can never go at it alone during tough times. The last several years have been tough for many of us, and since seeking office in the Assembly, it has always been my desire to work with each...

We’re quite fortunate here in Northern New York. We’re surrounded by food-producing countryside – and even better – we have many vibrant farmers’ markets right here in our own communities. It’s in these direct-to-consumer markets that we see...

New York State is beginning to emerge from the economic downturn, and with this comes new opportunities to start fresh and build ourselves a stronger and more resilient economy. Building this new economy and making the Empire State once again a worldwide...

Gov. Andrew Cuomo claims that 90 percent of his agenda is complete and that the remainder of the legislative session will be ‘relatively quiet.’ Hold on a minute. Yes, Gov. Cuomo has accomplished a lot with the help of the legislature, and...

New York is home to a $4 billion agriculture industry, and we’re located at the heart of one of the most productive regions in the state. While agriculture remains an important way of life here in the North Country, the number of family farms is on...

The North Country is home to one of the most vibrant agricultural communities in New York State. Our lives are intimately connected to our lands, farms and open fields. We’re fortunate to have immediate access to fresh and delicious farm goods. Our...

It’s been said that “the road to ‘you know where’ is paved with good intentions,” and is this ever true with New York State’s many unfunded and costly mandates placed on local governments and school districts. New Yorkers have been saddled...