News from Assembly Minority Leader Brian M. Kolb
Assembly Office:
933 Legislative Office Building • Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-3751
District Offices:
607 West Washington Street • Suite 2 • Geneva, NY 14456 • (315) 781-2030
E-mail:

For Release: IMMEDIATELY, November 14, 2012
Joshua Fitzpatrick (518) 455-3751
Brian Kolb Re-Elected Leader Of The Assembly Minority Conference
Pledges to keep advancing Conference's public policies that promote opportunity, grow prosperity, foster community and improve the quality of life for New York's hard-working families

ALBANY, NY - The Assembly Minority Conference re-elected Brian M. Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) as their Leader during a Conference held in the State Capitol this afternoon. Kolb will continue serving as Leader of the Assembly Minority, the second largest Legislative Conference in Albany, representing millions of New Yorkers from every region of the state.

"It is an honor - and truly humbling - to again receive the support and trust of my colleagues to continue serving as Leader. I truly believe that our Conference has some of the hardest working, most dedicated, caring and effective public servants not only in New York, but also in the entire country. While our Conference has been the source of countless good ideas that have become law, our focus isn't making headlines - it's about making a positive difference for the people we have the honor of serving," said Leader Kolb.

"From helping New York City and Long Island families rebuild and recover from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, to meeting the demand for more jobs and a more competitive economy, to the urgent need to protect taxpayers and local governments from Albany's costly rules and regulations that drive up property taxes, there is no shortage of challenges facing our state. No matter how steep the climb, I have complete confidence that our Conference is equal to the task. We will continue serving as a voice for hard-working families and focus on real solutions that further our shared values of opportunity, prosperity, community and a better quality of life for all New Yorkers," Leader Kolb said.

On April 6, 2009, Kolb's Minority colleagues chose him as their new Leader and re-elected him to the position in the fall of 2010. In addition to his leadership duties and serving as the principal spokesperson for the Assembly Minority Conference, in January Kolb will represent the new 131st Assembly District, which includes parts of Ontario and Seneca counties.

Prior to entering public service in the State Assembly, Leader Kolb was president of Refractron Technologies and a co-founder of the North American Filter Corporation. Kolb is the only Legislative Leader in state government that has started and run successful companies.

Leader Kolb's private sector accomplishments shape his pro-growth, pro-jobs public policy agenda aimed at creating more jobs and opportunities, reducing the Empire State's crushing costs of living on hard-working families and improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. In addition to his more than two decades of proven private sector business experience in the manufacturing sector, Leader Kolb also has served in local government as Supervisor for the Town of Richmond, as a member of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors and on the Honeoye Central School Board.

Leader Kolb has been a strong and consistent voice for restoring fiscal responsibility, reforming state government, strengthening New York's manufacturing sector and ensuring that all students - especially those in high-needs districts - receive a world-class education. In addition, Leader Kolb has been at the forefront of a grassroots effort to modernize the New York State Constitution through his efforts to convene a non-partisan "People's Constitutional Convention" and as one of the founders of the bi-partisan reform coalition "EffectiveNY."

Kolb's Assembly Minority colleagues offered comments and expressions of support for his continuing as Conference Leader:

"Brian has been a fantastic Leader and I was proud to offer my support for him to continue leading our Conference. Brian always makes it a priority to listen and be responsive to the Members. He is the Leader we need to continue advancing our cause of a more affordable New York and a better quality of life for families," said Assemblywoman Janet L. Duprey (R,I,C-Peru).

"Leader Kolb has shown his commitment to bring New York back by being a strong advocate for middle-class families and job creators in the Empire State," said Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin (R,C,I-Melrose). "Leader Kolb has shown commitment to conducting the people's business in a bipartisan manner, working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and Governor Cuomo to help set the foundation for a stronger New York. I look forward to working with Leader Kolb to continue to build that foundation and fully support him as Leader of the Assembly Minority Conference."

"As one of the newer Members of our Conference, I am extremely grateful to Brian for the strong leadership he has provided and for his guidance during my first term in the State Assembly. He has been an extraordinary Leader who has represented and led our Conference successfully. I was pleased to vote for him to continue serving as our Conference Leader," said Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R,C-Brooklyn, Staten Island).

"Without a doubt, Brian has been a terrific and highly effective Leader for our Conference. He has consistently focused on meeting the needs of our Conference's Members, always kept an open door policy and continues seeking input and feedback from my colleagues and me for legislation that will make New York a better place to live, work, raise a family or launch a successful small business. Brian is a forward-looking, results-driven Leader that will keep working hard to advance our Conference and our public policies to create more jobs, grow opportunities and improve the quality of life for hard-working families," said Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning).

"When it comes to bi-partisanship and inclusiveness, Brian Kolb hasn't just talked the talk - he's walked the walk and repeatedly reached across the political aisle to get things done that are in the best interests of New York State. Brian worked closely with me this fall and was especially supportive. I respect his leadership style and appreciate his dedication to the men and women of our Conference and his genuine concern for the constituents we represent," said Assemblyman John D. Ceretto (R,I-Lewiston).

"Whether it was leading the fight against reckless, big-spending budgets and Albany's fiscal irresponsibility, or standing up for forgotten taxpayers, overtaxed job creators and overburdened families, Brian Kolb has achieved real results for a better Empire State. Brian's leadership, and our Conference's advocacy, resulted in historic achievements these past two years including delivering two on-time State Budgets that cut spending, closing $13.5 billion in deficits and passing the property tax cap. Our policy proposals were the precursor to two of the most successful years in Albany's history - under Brian's continued leadership, our Conference will keep building on these successes and make New York a more affordable place for families and a more attractive place for job creators," said Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece).

"Early in my Assembly career, Leader Kolb and I talked about what needed to be accomplished for my constituents in the North Country," said Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C-Black River). "I am pleased that together we worked to invest in job growth, restoring school aid and passing on-time budgets while lowering taxes. I look forward to working with our Leader yet again to continue improving our state for all New Yorkers."

"As a person, Brian is very genuine; he sincerely cares about helping people and takes everyone's views into consideration. As a Leader, Brian has made every effort to ensure that all Members have their voices heard and their specific concerns addressed. Brian has shown excellent leadership during tough times for New York and has effectively led, and grown, our Conference during the past two Legislative Sessions. I am pleased to offer my support of his continued leadership," said Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,I,C-Glen Head).