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 work on the issues that matter most to families. Change must occur in the heart of Albany and the utmost priority of officials should be for the well-being of hardworking families.

What unites us is the desire for a better future for our families and the generations to come. This means a number of things, but namely making New York a state where prosperity flourishes for everyone and a good quality of life that doesn’t break the bank.

Our economy needs rapid and sustained recovery, and for New York that means lifting layers of government red tape. Time, energy and money that would otherwise be invested in job creation are diverted to manage onerous state regulations, fees, fines and taxes. Job creators are mired in this mess, while New York’s talented workers remain underemployed or unemployed. Surely we can do better for working families and businesses.

It’s no question that families have had to make tough financial decisions, but what we must fight against is a diminishing quality of life while costs continue to rise. The balance between quality of life and its costs is something we must remain keenly aware of in the legislature. Going forward, we must lower property taxes for good by removing costly unfunded mandates, continue improving the quality of education for our students for a competitive work environment, fight toll hikes to prevent further increases to the cost of goods, and work toward ensuring that more money stays in the hands of New Yorkers rather than going into state coffers.

Yes, we face many great challenges, but now we have a great opportunity to move forward together. Let’s find the common ground that makes our communities, state and nation great. Let us fight for what unites us, rather than what divides us.

As the representative of the newly-formed 117th Assembly District, I look forward to continuing to work with residents in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, and am eager to get to know those in the towns of Annsville, Ava, Camden, Florence, Forestport, Kirkland, Remsen, Verona, Vienna, and Westmoreland in Oneida County. Please e-mail me anytime at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us or call my office at (315) 493-3909.