Assemblyman Keith P. Brown (R,C-Northport) attended a press conference in Albany led by Assembly Minority Conference members and members of the community to discuss rural equity in New York state and renew calls to improve it. Brown was proud to cosponsor several proposals related to improving rural equity statewide, including:

• A.2654, sponsored by Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C-Norwich), which will give a state income tax credit of up to $2,500 to volunteer firefighters and members of a volunteer ambulance corps who have been in good standing for a minimum of five years and maintain continued eligibility;
• A.4686, sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks), which will allow localities to work together and design regionally based plans to ensure internet access to rural citizens; and
• A.9183, also sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Smullen, which will authorize school districts to opt out of the zero-emission school bus requirements.

“I am very proud to support these rural equity initiatives,” said Brown. “These proposals will help support our first responders, revitalize businesses and tourism in localities statewide and look out for the security of our school districts and students. I am very excited to see these initiatives move forward and help make our state a better place to live for rural and urban residents alike.”