The Mohawk Valley Nine, a bipartisan coalition of state legislators representing Herkimer, Madison and Oneida counties, held its initial caucus meeting of the year earlier this week. The meeting touched on a wide range of topics, including education, higher education, economic development, healthcare and the state budget. The delegation said:

“The Mohawk Valley Nine was established to boost our region’s profile in Albany and better advocate on behalf of our families, business owners and local governments. We had immediate success in our first year of existence and expect to take on additional challenges this year both at the Capitol and at home.”

Styled in the fashion of other regional caucuses, the Mohawk Valley Nine was formed in 2017 to address issues of concern within the overlapping districts. In its first year of existence, the Mohawk Valley Nine secured a major tax relief package to keep Vernon Downs open. The package saved 300 jobs and helped stabilize a key component of the local economy.

The Mohawk Valley Nine is comprised of delegation co-chairmen Sen. James L. Seward (R/C/I/Ref -Oneonta), Assemblyman Bill Magee (D-Nelson), Sen. Joseph A. Griffo (R/C/I-Rome), Sen. David J. Valesky (D-Oneida), Sen. Jim Tedisco (R/C/I/Ref-Glenville), Assemblyman Marc Butler (R/C/I/Ref-Newport), Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R/C/I-Black River), Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi (D-Utica) and Assemblyman Brian Miller (R/I-New Hartford).