Press Releases

Hochul Signs Legislation to Name State Route 283 The ‘Colonel Michael Plummer Memorial Highway’

Gov. Kathy Hochul recently signed legislation (S.8726A/A10024-A) that will rename State Route 283 in Jefferson County after Col. (Ret.) Michael Plummer. The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. Patty Ritchie and Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush. Before...

Kerosene Shortage Direct Result of Mishandled Policy

Recently in the news, we have seen there is a kerosene shortage effecting both retailers and customers. This news comes on the heels of National Grid telling its customers to brace for substantial rate hikes on their energy bills this winter, up to 39%...

Biomass Must Be Part of Our Future Energy Portfolio

In past columns, I have warned of the dangers of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and its ambitious goals at making New York a zero-emissions state. Many deadlines within the plan are not too far in the future, so not only is...

In Support of Jefferson County Resolution Protesting State’s New Gun Law

I want to thank and show my support for members of the Jefferson County Legislature who passed a resolution protesting New York’s latest round of restrictive gun laws. Back in June, Gov. Hochul rushed lawmakers back to Albany to push her latest round...

Revisiting The Farm Labor Overtime Threshold

The Farm Laborer Wage Board is set to make a final recommendation on the overtime threshold for farm workers on Sept. 6. I want to begin by thanking all the North Country and Mohawk Valley residents who have called into the wage board, the governor and...

Gov. Hochul: Where Is The State’s Covid-19 Response Report?

When Gov. Hochul took office following the resignation of former Gov. Cuomo, she pledged to clean up the culture in Albany and commit her administration to transparency. As we approach a year under the Hochul administration, we see that these words have...

Summer 2022: Supporting Our Local Fairs

As we enter the ‘dog days’ of summer, I encourage everyone in the North Country and Mohawk Valley to support their local fairs. Every summer, these fairs pop up in our communities and provide countless services and activities for residents. For two...

Blankenbush Reacts To Gov. Hochul’s Prison Redevelopment Commission

“Yesterday, Gov. Hochul announced the launch of the ‘Prison Redevelopment Commission’ which is tasked with finding innovative ways to redevelop and repurpose closed facilities. The commission is consisted of a 15-member panel, with one big problem....

Remembering The ‘Halt Solitary Confinement Act’ As Debate Around The Death Penalty Rages On

To begin, I want to send the Buffalo community my heartfelt condolences as they continue to recover from the insidious shooting that left 10 of their community members dead this past weekend. The individual responsible was fueled by hate and intolerance,...

Support Our Farmers; Bring Back Whole And 2% Milk In Schools

I am happy to join my colleague, Assemblyman Chris Tague, in supporting his bill (A.9990) that would allow schools to once again purchase whole and 2% milk produced within the state. Unfortunately, since the Obama administration, students have not had...

Participate in Recruit NY Weekend

Every year, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) hosts their Recruit NY weekend at firehouses across the state to add volunteers to their ranks. This weekend, April 23 and 24, is your chance to visit your local firehouse and see...

Blankenbush Reacts to Arrest of Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin

“This morning we learned that the lieutenant governor of New York, Brian Benjamin, was arrested by federal authorities in a campaign fraud case. This is Gov. Kathy Hochul’s handpicked second in command who is now in federal custody. “On the heels...

Law-Abiding Gun Owners Don’t Need Another Tax

Recently, a bill (A.9563) was referred to the Assembly Ways and Means Committee aimed at adding an excise tax on all sales of ammunition. It is possible that the bill never makes it through the committee process, but I want to make my opposition to the...

Blankenbush Says No To New Spending

“There are three things certain in this life: death, taxes and Albany lawmakers going on an out-of-control spending spree on the taxpayer dime. In their One-House Budget proposal, Albany Majority lawmakers proposed $10 billion in new spending. This...

Blankenbush Opposed to Gov. Hochul’s Mask Mandate

“The governor came out earlier today and announced a sweeping statewide mask mandate for all indoor spaces beginning on Monday, Dec. 13. This announcement came as a surprise as the governor did not consult with the Legislature and issued it at a press...

2022 Legislative Session Set to Begin

In a few short weeks we will return to Albany for the 2022 Legislative Session. Among my big issues are pushing back against vaccine mandates, advocating for our farmers against a decrease in the overtime threshold and making sure we re-energize our small...

Protecting the Family Farm

The Farm Labor Wage Board will be meeting within the next few weeks to discuss the current 60-hour overtime threshold that is currently in place for farmers. I urge the board to keep the current threshold rather than reduce it. I join in this bipartisan...

Mandatory Vaccinations Are Not the Answer

Since the beginning of the pandemic I have consistently argued against mandatory vaccinations. This is why I am opposed to the governor’s plan to mandate vaccinations for healthcare workers, stating they all must have the shot by September 27 or risk...

Majority Members Delay Leads to Housing Disarray

On Wednesday, Albany’s Assembly Majority shamelessly extended the eviction moratorium through January 15, 2022. Not only was this decision reckless, but it was unnecessary. New York received over $2.6 billion in federal funds earlier in the year that...

Working with the New Governor

Earlier this week, Kathy Hochul became the 57th governor of New York and the first female to hold the position. I extend my congratulations to Gov. Hochul on assuming this historic role. With this being said, the new governor has many issues to face and...