Assemblyman John Lemondes (R,C,I-Lafayette) is sharing his response to the governor’s recent State of the State. Like many New Yorkers, Lemondes has seen firsthand the challenges of the pandemic and its impact across several aspects of life, particularly rural life. With a struggling economy, the continued problem of the pandemic and civil unrest, there’s a lot Lemondes finds troubling as we begin to make our way through this year.

“With all the Governor’s power, this State of the State felt incredibly weak,” Lemondes said. “We got nothing in the way of real concrete change that supposedly would come about for economic relief and support of local and small businesses. What I was hearing was a politically safe, feel-good, non-critical thinking rhetoric. The governor wants to espouse his progressive agenda but then call for federal bailouts? Does no one else think that the very agenda he champions has some serious downsides not being addressed?”

“Additionally, the lack of recognition and attention to farmers disturbed me,” Lemondes continued. “Some of the hardest working people in our state, and certainly some of the hardest hit with COVID restrictions, were given no attention or airtime. Those whom the rest depend upon are an afterthought for the governor, which I find deeply disturbing.”

Lemondes was glad to hear of a more concrete distribution plan and further issues that needed resolving regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. “Clearly, the most well thought out part of his statement was the fight against COVID. While we still don’t know how many vaccinations have been done, or the governor’s plans to circumvent any problems he liked to pass on to Washington instead of claiming responsibility, I was pleased to hear that his vaccine attention has not wavered.”