As part of an effort to help reduce legislative mailing costs and save taxpayer dollars, Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb (R,I,C-Canandaigua) today asked residents of the 129th Assembly District to connect with him via e-mail and established social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. In so doing, Leader Kolb's constituents can receive real-time electronic updates about their state government and, in the process, lessen the cost of printing, producing and mailing official Assembly legislative newsletters.

"Staying in constant contact with my constituents, listening and responding to the needs of our community, these are the most important parts of serving as an Assemblyman. That's why I make frequent use of e-mail and social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube to provide important, timely updates for all my constituents," Leader Kolb said.

"Another of my top priorities is finding new and innovative ways to reduce government's cost to the taxpayers. When it comes to legislative newsletters, all the printing, production, and postage costs can quickly add up. This is why I am encouraging individuals to contact me by e-mail and social media as part of my continued efforts to cut operating expenses. While I will send official legislative newsletters to senior citizens or anyone who specifically requests them, my office is actively working to reduce the production of local and statewide mailings which will ultimately provide real savings for state taxpayers," Leader Kolb stated.

Leader Kolb is asking that constituents notify his office if they would prefer to receive news and information regarding state government electronically, or through traditional means such as printed newsletters. Individuals who wish to receive news and information electronically should contact Leader Kolb's office by e-mail at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us and indicate this preference.

Some of the many social media outreach tools Leader Kolb is currently employing to help reduce costs, while staying in close contact with residents of the 129th Assembly District, include the following:

• E-mail: Leader Kolb's Assembly e-mail address is kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us. Leader Kolb encourages constituents to contact him directly through e-mail as part of his efforts to decrease the production of legislative mailings and thus cut taxpayer costs;

• Twitter: Leader Kolb is on Twitter and Tweets frequently, Twitter users can follow him and send direct messages;

• Facebook: Leader Kolb maintains an active Facebook page, Facebook users can find his official page by searching for Assemblyman Brian Kolb; and

• YouTube: Leader Kolb and Members of the Assembly Minority Conference maintain a YouTube channel - NYSAssemblyMinority - where they post videos of their official remarks and legislative events.

"Making sure that the people I represent have the most up-to-date information about what is happening in Albany, while reducing costs to taxpayers, truly is a win-win scenario. My message to constituents is for them to consider receiving their news and informational updates electronically as part of my ongoing effort to reduce government's expense and burden on hard-working taxpayers," Kolb concluded.