Where we’re from, we’re no strangers to extreme winter weather. We’ve also seen the toll it and traffic can take on our roads, bridges and culverts. Here in the North Country and the Mohawk Valley, there are thousands of miles of rural roads and...

This is a wonderful time of year. The weather begins to cool, the leaves begin to turn and the North Country and the Mohawk Valley go into full harvest mode. Families begin to flock to apple orchards and pumpkin patches. New York’s agricultural abundance...

With school just around the corner, this is a time of excitement for kids, teachers and parents. There is so much to consider when it comes to the education of New York’s youth, and being able to impact our education system is a great responsibility. Now,...

At the end of every legislative cycle, many advocacy groups assess elected officials based on their votes in the Assembly and Senate. Recently, Unshackle Upstate, a pro-taxpayer and job-growth organization, and the National Federation of Independent Business...

We’re only a few weeks away from September and the start of many hunting seasons in New York. Hunting licenses are on sale now and can be purchased online from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) at www.dec.ny.gov/permits/365.html....

There is some good news coming our way. Due to legal settlements with certain banks and insurance companies, New York will have a $4.2 billion surplus this year. The important question is “how should the government use it?” New York, while on much...

Since when is a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants spending plan a good plan? Apparently, the Thruway Authority thinks it is acceptable to tackle a big project and just wing it on the spending plan. That kind of planning, or lack of planning, will lead to...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is asking the governor to force the Thruway Authority to submit a real financial plan for the new Tappan Zee Bridge (TZB). A frivolous plan was approved last week to borrow $255 million from the Clean Water...

In recent years, our region has been subject to extreme and destructive weather conditions. In the Mohawk Valley, it was flash flooding, and most recently, in the North Country, it was the tornado touchdown in Lowville. We live in an area of wonderful...

Recently, the Jefferson County Fair, the oldest continually running fair in the nation, held a parade to mark its opening. It’s that time of the year when our county fairs offer more than just rides and amusements. These fairs provide us with opportunities...

Last week, I shared with you the conversations I had with residents of the Villas of Sherman Brook, an independent living retirement community in Clinton. They spoke with me about their hopes for their children and grandchildren to live prosperous lives...

Recently, I was invited to join seniors at the Villas of Sherman Brook, an independent living retirement community in Clinton, for a bipartisan government question-and-answer session. I had a wonderful time meeting with residents and answering their questions....

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) tonight voted in favor of a bill that would prevent teacher evaluations from being linked to Common Core testing results. Blankenbush believes this is a step in the right direction, but says there are many...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling for passage of the Low-Volume Roads Bill, a measure that is especially important to the North Country and rural New York communities for managing the high costs of road maintenance. The bill already...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling on the Assembly Majority leadership to put aside partisan politics and allow important women’s equality bills to come to the floor for an up-or-down vote. Over the past two weeks, the Senate...

There is little time left in the legislative session and much work left undone. I have been advocating for legislation that would help families by addressing issues that matter most to them. These bills would reform our education system, reduce taxes,...

For 77 years, our nation has celebrated the dairy industry during the month of June. As an upstate resident, you can drive in any direction and are sure to pass by a dairy farm. We understand and know the importance of the dairy farmers and manufacturers...

Ask any small-business owner, farmer or, better yet, ask a parent – they all know “there is always more work that can be done.” Even after the best days, there’s always room for growth and improvement. Our legislative session is no different....

Touring my Assembly District along State Route 26 has been such a pleasure. Our communities are full of amazing people with great ideas, knowledge and enthusiasm for Upstate New York. The people of this district are resourceful and passionate; they...