Recently, the Jefferson County Fair, the oldest continually running fair in the nation, held a parade to mark its opening. It’s that time of the year when our county fairs offer more than just rides and amusements. These fairs provide us with opportunities...

Last week, I shared with you the conversations I had with residents of the Villas of Sherman Brook, an independent living retirement community in Clinton. They spoke with me about their hopes for their children and grandchildren to live prosperous lives...

Recently, I was invited to join seniors at the Villas of Sherman Brook, an independent living retirement community in Clinton, for a bipartisan government question-and-answer session. I had a wonderful time meeting with residents and answering their questions....

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) tonight voted in favor of a bill that would prevent teacher evaluations from being linked to Common Core testing results. Blankenbush believes this is a step in the right direction, but says there are many...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling for passage of the Low-Volume Roads Bill, a measure that is especially important to the North Country and rural New York communities for managing the high costs of road maintenance. The bill already...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling on the Assembly Majority leadership to put aside partisan politics and allow important women’s equality bills to come to the floor for an up-or-down vote. Over the past two weeks, the Senate...

There is little time left in the legislative session and much work left undone. I have been advocating for legislation that would help families by addressing issues that matter most to them. These bills would reform our education system, reduce taxes,...

For 77 years, our nation has celebrated the dairy industry during the month of June. As an upstate resident, you can drive in any direction and are sure to pass by a dairy farm. We understand and know the importance of the dairy farmers and manufacturers...

Ask any small-business owner, farmer or, better yet, ask a parent – they all know “there is always more work that can be done.” Even after the best days, there’s always room for growth and improvement. Our legislative session is no different....

Touring my Assembly District along State Route 26 has been such a pleasure. Our communities are full of amazing people with great ideas, knowledge and enthusiasm for Upstate New York. The people of this district are resourceful and passionate; they...

My assembly district is a beautiful part of New York State comprised of several small communities, rural areas and thousands of acres of working forests in the Tug Hill region. The network of roads is a real challenge for our highway superintendents,...

My meetings with constituents throughout the month of April had a prevailing theme: they were all about the volunteers, professionals and donors involved in saving lives. We are so fortunate to be here in America, and more specifically, in upstate New...

Our upstate communities and citizens are struggling due to Albany’s unfunded state mandates. Unfunded mandates are the numerous policies and programs that Albany forces our communities to implement and pay for, regardless of need or want. The New...

Many families were hit by high home energy bills this winter, and whatever the reason behind it, it hurts our wallets. Many of you have called my office concerned about this recent price spike, and I share your concerns. I am joining Sen. Griffo to call...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) and Tom King, President of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association (NYSRPA), today blasted the Assembly Majority who recently blocked three of the assemblyman’s bills to repeal Gov. Cuomo’s so-called...

It is exciting to see that agriculture is getting the respect, attention and funding it deserves. As your representative and ranking minority member of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, I have been working diligently to raise the issues and concerns...

“When voting on the budget, I kept the needs of my constituents in mind. I voted to save and support many programs that improve education and the economy, and opposed measures that abuse public dollars. “Education, which impacts nearly every New...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) voted today to pass $532 million in tax relief for New Yorkers in the 2014-15 Budget. The bill outlined multiple tax relief measures impacting manufacturing; tax relief to help family-owned businesses and...

This weekend, I will be joining Shawn Massey at Massey Ranch in Watertown and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill School’s Future Farmers of America in Oneida County to help tap the first trees of the season. For me, the annual ritual of maple tree tapping ushers...