The holiday season is a time when many people across the country return home to spend time with family and friends. It is a time for celebration and catching up with these individuals, and many of these meetings take place in our local businesses and...

New York’s farmers have historically been some of the most generous individuals, donating extra produce to our statewide food bank system. In 2014, New York’s farmers were responsible for donating more than 10 million pounds of food, breaking the...

Unfunded mandates continue to place unnecessary pressure on our school district and town budgets, and anxiety on our state’s taxpayers. During this year’s Legislative Session, my colleagues and I in the Assembly Minority fought to put an end to this...

With the new school year just around the corner, I wanted to highlight some of the many initiatives I helped pass to ensure our children have every resource at their disposal to succeed. This session, I fought for a strong commitment to education...

With New York struggling to rebuild its image after years of corruption and in-the-dark operations, we cannot afford to betray the recovery process with misguided and shady tactics such as allowing a pay commission to endow legislators with a hefty pay...

New York is currently the most taxed state in the nation. It is a number one ranking I, along with many of the residents in our district, am concerned about and would like to see drastically changed. Recently, I have spoken to many of the residents in...

Preserving the history of a community is crucial if we are to hold onto the past and pass down an era’s accomplishments to the next generation. Whether it is historic buildings or landmarks, these places tell a story that lasts longer than any individual....

While the dog days of summer may bring muggy weather to our neck of the woods, it also brings the time of the year I look forward to most: fair season. One of my favorite parts of the fair is the time I get to spend with my grandchildren. I love to watch...

America’s military is the greatest military in the world. The 117th Assembly District is now one of three locations being considered for a crucial Continental United States Interceptor Site (CIS). If selected, the site will be constructed at Fort Drum...

This weekend, many of us will be gathered around our local lakes, firing up the grill, having a nice cold drink and spending quality time with our family members and friends. It is a weekend to come together, relax and remember who we are as citizens...

Earlier this month, the New York State Legislature hosted the state’s annual “Dairy Day” event. All of the people and organizations who came to the event reminded me of the terrific farmers’ markets in our district. Summer is the perfect time...

Editor’s note: Click here for a video of Blankenbush speaking on the end of session events “This session, pension forfeiture and the heroin epidemic were two critical issues the Assembly Minority Conference focused on heavily. While the two bills...

As this year’s Legislative Session comes to an end, I want to take this special opportunity to reach out to my constituents. Each week, I have traveled to Albany with the goal of making our communities a safer and more vibrant place for future generations....

With only three session days remaining in this year’s scheduled legislative season, it still remains to be seen if the Assembly will address any of the concerns New Yorkers have so adamantly voiced. Felons are still collecting pensions funded by taxpayers,...

Today, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) and his Assembly Minority colleagues released their plan to bring transparency and ethical reforms to the state’s economic development programs. This legislation (A.10531) is made up of six components...

Today, Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R,C,I-Canandaigua) held a press conference addressing the lack of action from the Assembly Majority regarding the heroin epidemic crippling New York State. Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) was...

Earlier this week, a rare incident occurred in the Assembly’s Governmental Employees Committee. It was an incident I wish had been seen by every single New Yorker who is sick and tired of corruption and scandal within the State Assembly. The incident...

“Today, the Assembly’s Governmental Employees Committee met and had the chance to join me and my Assembly Minority colleagues in moving ethics reform legislation to the floor for a full vote. Unfortunately, the Assembly Majority in the committee balked...

Many issues that New York State faces can draw party lines, pit one side’s idea against the other and bring out the worst in us. However, one issue New York is currently facing has nothing to do with political ideas or agendas. It is an issue that every...

“Today, the Senate released the findings of its Heroin and Opioid Addiction Task Force and voted on legislation that would ensure the state is actively combating the epidemic that has shaken the state. I applaud Sen. Griffo and his house for taking...