Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I – Corning) cited his priorities for fostering a more business-friendly environment, strengthening economic development efforts and reining in spending at the state level as his focus when he was sworn in as the new representative of the 136th Assembly District, representing Steuben and Yates counties.

Palmesano, who served for 15 years as an aide to state and federal lawmakers, said he also will continue providing accessible and responsive constituent service to residents in his district, just as his predecessor has done.

“I’ve met with families, small-business owners and farmers,” Palmesano said, “and they’re all making sacrifices and difficult decisions every day. It’s time for state government to make difficult decisions in order to create a better state in which to live and work.”

Palmesano served on the Steuben County Legislature prior to winning the Assembly seat in November of 2010.