It seems that folks in Albany really don’t get it. Communities large and small are struggling under the crushing burden of state unfunded mandates. Unfunded mandates are those programs and policies the state imposes on our local governments and schools,...

“The governor’s recent proposal to give taxpayer-funded college educations to incarcerated criminals is a slap in the face to hardworking, law-abiding New Yorkers. This push demonstrates that our governor has forgotten the many families who are scrimping...

The Assembly Majority leadership has failed New Yorkers by letting important welfare fraud reform legislation, known as the Public Assistance Integrity Act, fall by the wayside. The federal government made it very clear: New York and other states are...

While the governor may claim he is prioritizing upstate New York’s needs, we’re seeing quite the opposite as he is, yet again, making large cuts to the state’s agricultural development and support programs to the tune of nearly $2.7 million. Of...

Recently, my Assembly Minority colleagues and I unveiled the Achieving Pupil Preparedness and Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan, which is aimed at reforming the implementation of Common Core in New York State. The plan was developed using testimony and...

"I am disappointed to hear the news that the Carthage Area Hospital will be cutting jobs. Just as we secured state funding to help the hospital implement cost- and job-saving measures, it was dealt another blow by the reductions in reimbursement...

Upon first review of the governor’s executive budget proposal, I believe it doesn’t do enough to meet basic obligations and promises made to the public. On the surface, the document doesn’t seem particularly controversial; it even stays within the...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) and his Assembly Minority colleagues today unveiled the Achieving Pupil Preparedness and Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan, which is aimed at reforming the implementation of Common Core in New York State....

“As a legislator, I’m more concerned about the details of the governor’s budget, rather than buying into the image he paints during his budget address. As we have seen in the past, there are times he’s on point and others where he misses the mark...

The state budget proposal must be a tool for change here in upstate New York. We have many job creators and community leaders making every effort to spur economic growth and change our communities for the better. It’s through the budget that we can...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is marking the anniversary of the NY SAFE Act by calling for a full repeal of the gun control law. Recently, a court ruling struck down part of the SAFE Act, but Blankenbush wants a full repeal, citing the...

Some of New York’s biggest problems – crippling taxes, a slow upstate economic recovery, and devastated communities – are interconnected and cannot be resolved with the band-aid-type solution that Albany continually resorts to. Upstate New Yorkers...

“It is time for our government to support and unleash upstate New York’s potential. There are many wonderful attributes in the North Country and Mohawk Valley that need to be harnessed to spur our economic recovery. We have great potential for agri-business,...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) will be closing his district office today, January 8 due to a snow emergency in the Village of West Carthage. Constituents may call Blankenbush’s Albany office at (518) 455-5797. Blankenbush encourages...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) today announced that he was reappointed as ranking minority member on the Assembly Committee on Agriculture. Blankenbush has held the position since taking office, which allows him to advocate for the small...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) joined Gov. Cuomo at the Ridgeview Inn in Lowville today in announcing a $4.5 million marketing plan to boost winter tourism. With the North Country Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) emphasizing...

I am pleased to announce a deal that will help save St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center’s inpatient services, while expanding and establishing critical day service for those with mental health issues and their families. This deal will save the facility...

Recently, the North Country and the Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Councils were awarded $164 million. Both councils earned Top Performer designations for their efforts to effectively invest in our region’s economy. I am pleased to...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is pleased to announce that today the North Country and Mohawk Valley Regional Economic Development Councils were named Top Performers at the Regional Economic Development Awards in Albany. Blankenbush announced...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling on his legislative colleagues to pass the Public Assistance Integrity Act (A. 2386). The bill, which Blankenbush sponsors, would prohibit cash from public assistance programs being spent or obtained...