Communities throughout upstate New York are facing a precarious fiscal balancing act. Municipalities no longer have to worry about simply providing for the needs of their residents, but must contend with hundreds of costly unfunded state mandates that...

Recently, I announced that I am joining one of my colleagues across the aisle to promote the ‘21st Century Education Initiative,’ which would create a class of high school diplomas called Career and Technical Education (CTE) Diplomas. Let’s...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is joining Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi in support of the 21st Century Education Initiative, which would create a Career and Technical Education (CTE) diploma that would bear the same status as a traditional...

In September, our nation observes National Preparedness Month. This is a time for us to think about how we, as a community, can better equip ourselves with home and business emergency plans, municipal and school disaster plans, and assess what resources...

Today, I have some exciting news to report. Six of our area schools will be sharing a $2.9 million grant to improve studies in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). I want to applaud the efforts of our upstate schools to keep our kids current...

Growing up, I was taught to never leave a job until it’s finished. As fellow upstate New Yorkers, I’m sure you were taught the same. The value of working hard until a job is finished is a value I’d like to instill in Albany. Some good things...

To my dear friends in Oneida County, keep the faith. You are enduring a very trying and difficult time after the recent flash floods that devastated your communities. While touring parts of the Village of Clinton and other towns within Oneida County,...

“I stand with Gov. Cuomo and my Senate and Assembly colleagues in pledging $3 million in individual flood aid to Oneida County residents, small businesses and farmers. While we are grateful for the assistance from FEMA to our municipalities, we know...

Greek Yogurt is obviously the “in” thing these days, offering not only a protein-packed food to New Yorkers and Americans, but also providing an incredible boost in demand for New York’s milk. Within the last five years, yogurt production in New...

I left Albany on the last day of session utterly disappointed with this year’s legislative session. I pride myself on being a fairly optimistic guy, but wow, I feel like the progress we made over the last few years was lost. We were just beginning to...

“I am very concerned for my constituents affected by the flash flooding in Oneida County. I already have reached out to Supervisor Robert Meelan of the Town of Kirkland and Mayor John Lane of the Village of Clinton to offer my support and assistance....

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) today commented on the successful passage of the two percent agricultural assessment cap. The measure, which Blankenbush sponsored, lowers the assessment growth cap from 10 percent to two percent. New York...

“I have always been supportive of passing women’s equality measures. Now is the time to set aside the political posturing and bring these common sense items to the Assembly floor for a vote like the Senate did today. The Senate is voting on nine important...

On June 17, legislators passed a bill to restore $90 million in funding to the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). The funding was initially cut from the budget earlier this year. Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River)...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) chastised Speaker Sheldon Silver for his refusal to introduce nine widely-supported women’s equality measures for a vote in the Assembly. There are nine points that have broad support in the legislature,...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is pleased at the recent passage of the two percent ag assessment cap – similar to the two percent property tax cap – designed to curb the growing property taxes on family farms. New York farmers have...

“I am pleased that we did the right thing by restoring $90 million worth of funding to programs for the developmentally disabled. It was wrong of Albany to balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable. Fortunately, we passed a plan today that...

During a 15-year stretch, from 1993 to 2008, New York lost 627,735 jobs from company departures and closures. With the jobs went New Yorkers, with an average net loss of 50,500 residents annually. Making matters worse is New York’s recovery from the...

New York State is its own worst enemy when it comes to economic development and job growth. Let’s be honest, while the economic downturn has hurt everyone nationally, it has been felt more deeply and more profoundly in New York State. We have among...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River), the ranking Minority member on the Assembly Agriculture Committee, today joined a coalition of bi-partisan legislators to call on the Assembly to pass the two percent Ag Assessment Cap legislation to help...