Press Releases

The Assembly One-House Budget & Where We Go from Here

This week, the budget process in Albany continued as both the state Senate and Assembly released their ‘One-House’ proposals. Think of these proposals as counter offers to the governor’s budget proposal that she rolled out last month. Now that the...

DEC Has Pedal to The Metal on Zero-Emission Car Plan; Why We Must Slow Down

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is full speed ahead on the ‘Advanced Clean Car II’ regulations that would require all passenger cars and trucks sold in the state to be zero-emission by 2035. I have expressed serious concerns with...

Local Roads Don’t Just Matter, They Are Essential

Photo as described in caption
“I was proud to once again join my colleagues and highway superintendents from around the state to call for increased funding for our local roads, bridges and culverts. Our North Country and Mohawk Valley roadways take a beating from the harsh winter...

Local Roads Need Same Attention as MTA in the Final Budget

With under a month to go before the final state budget is due, it is important to remind the governor and my colleagues in the Majority about the importance of funding our local roads. Since the governor rolled out her budget proposal a little over a...

Hochul’s Medicaid Funding in Proposed Budget Misses the Mark

The topic of Medicaid funding has been relatively alarming lately, as it is crucial for many families throughout the state. Medicaid is an important health care option for pregnant women, single individuals, low-income families or individuals who are...

New Efforts Underway to Save Biomass Facility at Fort Drum

In past columns, I spoke about the importance of including ‘biomass’ under the renewable energy umbrella. Albany Majority lawmakers who continue to push their radical climate agenda have failed to recognize the need for bioenergy and biomass, especially...

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Gov. Hochul’s Budget Proposal

Earlier this week, Gov. Hochul delivered her annual budget address laying out her priorities for the upcoming year and how she plans to fund them. While not shocking, but still disappointing, the total price tag of her plan set another record high, coming...

Blankenbush Calls Out Gov. Hochul’s Massive Budget Proposal

“Gov. Hochul’s budget proposal is another bloated, unmitigated disaster for New York taxpayers that yet again totals well over $200 billion. This budget does not accurately reflect the financial struggles New Yorkers are facing as they continue under...

Renewing The Call for Increased Public Safety Measures

Earlier this week, our Assembly and Senate Minority Conferences hosted a press conference at the Capitol renewing our call for increased public safety measures and a repeal of previously-passed bail laws. We were joined by family members of crime victims,...

Gov. Hochul Once Again Wants to Take Over Local Zoning

The governor delivered her annual State of the State address earlier this week and spoke about the issues of crime, affordability and the continued exodus of residents, but she gave little to no detail on how we will make substantive changes. While we...

The State of Our State is in Peril

“Today, Gov. Hochul delivered a State of the State address that wasn’t rooted in reality. Unfortunately, single-party rule is failing New York residents. Look no further than a recent Times Union report detailing another 180,000 people leaving our...

A 2023 Christmas Wish List

Christmas is right around the corner, and I hope that you and your families are taking advantage of all the great holiday events happening in the North Country and Mohawk Valley. With Christmas comes a new year, and with a new year comes a new legislative...

Hochul Signs Legislation to Name State Route 283 The ‘Colonel Michael Plummer Memorial Highway’

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation (S.8726A/A10024-A) that will rename State Route 283 in Jefferson County after Col. (Ret.) Michael Plummer. The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. Patty Ritchie and Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush. Before...

Kerosene Shortage Direct Result of Mishandled Policy

Recently in the news, we have seen there is a kerosene shortage effecting both retailers and customers. This news comes on the heels of National Grid telling its customers to brace for substantial rate hikes on their energy bills this winter, up to 39%...

Biomass Must Be Part of Our Future Energy Portfolio

In past columns, I have warned of the dangers of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and its ambitious goals at making New York a zero-emissions state. Many deadlines within the plan are not too far in the future, so not only is...

In Support of Jefferson County Resolution Protesting State’s New Gun Law

I want to thank and show my support for members of the Jefferson County Legislature who passed a resolution protesting New York’s latest round of restrictive gun laws. Back in June, Gov. Hochul rushed lawmakers back to Albany to push her latest round...

Revisiting The Farm Labor Overtime Threshold

The Farm Laborer Wage Board is set to make a final recommendation on the overtime threshold for farm workers on Sept. 6. I want to begin by thanking all the North Country and Mohawk Valley residents who have called into the wage board, the governor and...

Gov. Hochul: Where Is The State’s Covid-19 Response Report?

When Gov. Hochul took office following the resignation of former Gov. Cuomo, she pledged to clean up the culture in Albany and commit her administration to transparency. As we approach a year under the Hochul administration, we see that these words have...

Summer 2022: Supporting Our Local Fairs

As we enter the ‘dog days’ of summer, I encourage everyone in the North Country and Mohawk Valley to support their local fairs. Every summer, these fairs pop up in our communities and provide countless services and activities for residents. For two...

Blankenbush Reacts To Gov. Hochul’s Prison Redevelopment Commission

“Yesterday, Gov. Hochul announced the launch of the ‘Prison Redevelopment Commission’ which is tasked with finding innovative ways to redevelop and repurpose closed facilities. The commission is consisted of a 15-member panel, with one big problem....