Press Releases

Committee Must Swiftly Approve Minimum Maintenance Road Legislation

Each year winter storms plague New York State with devastating snow and ice. The frigid conditions make it difficult to go outdoors and at times the snow makes travel nearly impossible. Despite the awful weather conditions, towns are continually required...

Assembly Must Act Amidst State Of Emergency

As the waters of Lake Ontario continue to rise, the south shore and its residents face the consequences of Mother Nature. It is paramount that our state government does everything within its power to assist the residents of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence...

Blankenbush Staff To Hold June Mobile Office Hours

The staff of Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) will hold mobile office hours on Tuesday, June 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Camden Village Office; Wednesday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lowville Town Office; Thursday, June 8 from 2 to...

Blankenbush Relays Message of Hope

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is encouraging municipalities that have sustained damage from the rising water levels of Lake Ontario to apply for disaster relief funds. Yesterday, the governor announced $10 million in new targeted...

Blankenbush Weighs in On Comptroller’s Audit

Last week, I wrote about legislation that I cosponsor which would require annual reports to be delivered to the state by businesses using START-UP NY benefits. With the news that has emerged this week regarding the comptroller and Empire State Development...

Blankenbush Calls for Restoration of Annual Reports

Last year, New York State and its economic dealings came under intense scrutiny. In September, nine individuals were arrested following investigations of SUNY Polytechnic and the state’s Buffalo Billion plan. These scandals came in the same year that...

Blankenbush Thanks Military Personnel

When one thinks of our military, they usually think about the service and protection these individuals provide to our country both foreign and domestic. They think about wars in faraway lands and in the worst cases, conflicts that occur close to home....

Blankenbush Meets With Servicemen from Fort Drum

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Yesterday, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) joined his colleagues in welcoming the servicemen and women who are stationed at Fort Drum to Albany. Each year, Albany hosts a “Fort Drum Day,” when service members demonstrate the importance...

Blankenbush Cosponsors Agriculture Investment Bill

While in Albany, the health and well-being of our agriculture industry continues to be at the forefront of my mind. With the unpredictable and ever-changing economic landscape that is present in New York State, it is important that we put in place programs...

Assembly Should Follow Senate’s Lead

Earlier today, the New York State Senate motioned to take up Senate bill 3984, which is focused on increasing the oversight and transparency of state contracts and projects. In the wake of the Buffalo Billion indictments and the controversy surrounding...

Blankenbush Shifts Focus to Small Business

In the wake of this year’s chaotic budget negotiations, Gov. Cuomo has declared his work complete and his job done. His recent comments about there “not being much to do in Albany” are unsettling. It seems he is continuing to forget the stagnant...

Butler, Blankenbush, Local Officials and Supporters Rally in St. Lawrence for Significant Repeal of Safe Act

Assemblyman Marc W. Butler (R,C,I,Ref-Newport) tonight held a rally at the Gouverneur VFW in support of his bill (A.6140/S.879-C) that would work to significantly repeal the SAFE Act in upstate New York and Long Island. He was joined by fellow bill sponsor...

Blankenbush Highlights Tough Budget Negotiation Talks

“This year’s budget has shone a light on the gridlock and divide that is deeply rooted in this state. The governor’s ‘Message of Necessity’ usage best sums up the lack of transparency throughout this entire budget process. “While it is...

Blankenbush Signs onto Rural Business Growth Initiative

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) has recently signed onto legislation that would incentivize private corporations to invest in rural businesses across the state. Assembly Bill 4772 would allow these corporations to receive tax credits for...

Blankenbush Talks Budget Sticking Point

**EDITOR’S NOTE: CLICK HERE FOR A CLIP OF BLANKENBUSH COMMENTING ON IMPORTANCE OF UBER IN THE 117TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT** ** EDITOR’S NOTE: CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF BLANKENBUSH ADDRESSING COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET**

Blankenbush Staff to Hold April Mobile Office Hours

The staff of Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) will hold mobile office hours on Tuesday, April 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m at the Camden Village Office; and Thursday, April 6 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Westmoreland Town Office. Residents and...

Taxes Aren’t the Answer

This past week, healthcare decisions at the federal level have created a standoff between our state representatives and the governor. The proposed passage of President Trump’s American Health Care Act (AHCA) sparked a reaction from Gov. Cuomo that was...

Mohawk Valley Nine Join Forces

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The Mohawk Valley Nine, a bipartisan coalition of state legislators representing Herkimer, Madison and Oneida counties, held its initial caucus meeting today. Styled in the fashion of other regional caucuses, the Mohawk Valley Nine pledged to work together...

One-House Budget Fails To Inspire

On Wednesday, the Assembly Majority passed its one-house budget, and to say that it was unfavorable to our district and the whole of the Mohawk Valley and North Country would be an understatement. While there were a few positives to take away from the...

Blankenbush Sets Budget Priorities

As budget negotiations continue, I wanted to take the time to lay out some of the priorities I’d like to see addressed in this year’s state budget. After meeting with so many various organizations and advocates over the last two months, I’ve been...