Press Releases

The Chance for Change Is Up To You

It seems that all too often; talk of corruption and ethics violations emerge from Albany. It also does not do the honest and hard-working residents of this state any favors when New York is known as the “most corrupt state in the country.” Earlier...

Walter, Walsh “Rally For Ridesharing” Statewide

Editor’s Note: Video of Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) here Following a press conference in Albany today, Assemblyman Raymond Walter (R,C,I-Amherst) and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I,Ref-Ballston) have introduced legislation...

Blankenbush Takes Action to Clean Up Albany

“Today, my colleagues and I took the first step toward cleaning up Albany and restoring the public’s trust back in our government,” said Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River). “For too long, corrupt officials have gotten away with serving...

Local Bridges Matter

As of late, infrastructure funding has been a contentious issue between priorities regarding downstate projects and necessary repairs for our upstate community. Each year, the North Country must go to bat for its residents and fight for every dollar to...

Blankenbush Rallies behind New York Farm Bureau

Today, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) threw his support behind the New York Farm Bureau and its push for an increased tax credit to help offset New York’s rising minimum wage. In its release, the Farm Bureau is advocating for a $500...

Blankenbush Displeased With Executive Budget Process

“This year’s budget has been the most convoluted process I have experienced during my time as a member of the Legislature. Not only did the governor neglect our community as he traveled across the state, preaching his political philosophy, but he...

Blankenbush Urges Governor to Take a Look in the Mirror

When it comes to the misuse of taxpayer dollars, the current administration has a habit of pointing fingers at everyone except themselves. After a week of regional presentations that took the place of the usual “State of the State Address,” Gov. Cuomo...

Blankenbush Staff to Hold Mobile Office Hours

The staff of Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) will hold mobile office hours on Tuesday, January 24 from 2 to 4 p.m at the Camden Village Office; and Thursday, January 26 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Westmoreland Town Office. Residents and elected...

Blankenbush Named to Leadership Positions

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) has been reappointed as Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Agriculture Committee and will also take on a new role as Chairman of the Minority Joint Conference Committee. This new role is a significant...

Blankenbush to Join New Committees

While I’m in Albany, I do everything within my power to relay the concerns and issues of our district’s residents to my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate. This term, I will have an even greater ability to do so with the new committees I have been...

Blankenbush: Cautions About Overzealous Promises

“On Tuesday, the governor released his plan to provide free SUNY and CUNY tuition via the Excelsior Scholarship to New York State families who earn less than $125,000 per year. According to the governor, the estimated cost will be approximately $163...

New Year. Renewed Focus.

The 2017 Legislative Session is upon us and while government work is one of fluidity and is designed to address new and unforeseen issues in our lives, there must still be a concentration on issues in this state that continue to linger year after year....

Sight Set On Ethics Reform

With the year coming to an end, we turn our sights on next year and begin to prioritize what must be accomplished in order to restore trust in government. This fall, ethics reform was an issue on campaign trails throughout New York and should be the first...

Upstate Needs Ride Sharing Services

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...

Gov. Cuomo Vetoes Food Bank Bill

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 Burden Taxpayers

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...

Blankenbush: Education Needs Investment, Individualized Approach

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...

Blankenbush: Pay Commission Misdirection Is Business As Usual For NYC

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...

Lowering Taxes For The Middle Class

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...

Old Lowville Cemetery Up For Consideration

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....