Press Releases

Blankenbush Calls For Transparency Reforms In Assembly

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) today called for a set of 17 Assembly rules changes to help create more transparency and openness in the House. Blankenbush has been calling for many of the reforms since he was first elected to the Assembly. “The...

Blankenbush Calls On Gov. To Release School Aid Runs

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) joined his legislative colleagues at a press conference urging the governor to release school aid runs so districts across the state can properly prepare their budgets for the coming fiscal year. Typically,...

Blankenbush: Governor, Don’t Hold TAP Hostage

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling on the governor to rethink his efforts to strong-arm the legislature into passing an item of controversial policy know as the DREAM Act. The governor is taking an all-or-nothing approach and linking...

Disaster Recovery Another Priority For The Budget

Over the last several weeks, I have outlined important areas where the state could invest public funds through the State Budget. I have mentioned education, economic and agricultural development, tax relief for the middle class, and infrastructure as...

Blankenbush Pushes For Reform Of Professional Licensing For Military Spouses

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is urging New York State to change its rules regarding professional licensing of already-qualified military spouses with out-of-state accreditation. The process for licensing is particularly long and arduous...

Governor’s Gimmicky Circuit Breaker Plan At Odds With Local Realities

New York is home to some of the highest property taxes in the nation, a legacy created by years of unfunded mandates from a spendthrift government that passed the buck and the bill on to our local municipalities and schools. Unfunded mandates are the...

When Has An Ultimatum Ever Really Worked?

At the foundation of our state and federal governments is the separation of powers between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches. The checks and balances are important to ensure that the rights and interests of the people are protected. The...

Blankenbush: New Speaker Presents Opportunity For Reform

“Today, Mr. Heastie took over as speaker, and I am pleased that he wishes to pursue real reforms to restore integrity and trust in the Assembly. While I am sure there will be times he and I will disagree about what is best for the people of New York,...

Blankenbush: Governor, Schools Can’t Plan Without School Aid Runs

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling on the governor and State Education Department to release school aid runs so districts across the state can plan for the coming fiscal year. It is customary for school aid runs to be released...

Blankenbush: New Speaker Must Commit To Reforms

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling on the next speaker to adhere to meaningful legislative ethics reforms. Currently, there is a contest for the office of speaker. Blankenbush urges each candidate to seriously commit to enacting...

Agriculture Is Worth The Investment

Ever since the governor issued his budget proposal, I have been reviewing it, picking it apart, and seeing how it would impact the state, especially here in the North Country and the Mohawk Valley. For the next several weeks, I will be discussing components...

The Closed Bridges Of The North Country

Here is a troubling fact: there are 30 closed local bridges within my Assembly District, with one county having at least 11 bridges closed. These closures have not only created hardships for residents, but they have also hindered economic development...

Blankenbush: The Assembly Must Move Forward With New Speaker

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling on Sheldon Silver to resign his post as Speaker of the Assembly immediately. The New York City politician was arrested this morning by the FBI for public corruption. “There is a lot of serious...

Blankenbush: More Solutions Needed For Upstate In Governor’s Agenda

“Today, we heard the governor outline his priorities for the state, and disappointingly, they are primarily focused on the needs of downstate. There is need across this entire state – families, small-business owners and farmers are looking for relief,...

Governor’s Property Tax Credit Misses The Point, Denies Real Relief For Homeowners

The governor recently announced a nearly $1.7 billion property tax credit for New Yorkers paying property taxes that equaled more than six percent of their income. On the surface, this proposal sounds exciting. However, the governor qualified that only...

Blankenbush Supportive Of Broadband Push

“I think it is a wise choice to use some of the windfall excess funds to help spur broadband internet infrastructure throughout Upstate New York. As with everything, I will be looking at how the New NY Broadband Program will be implemented and push...

Blankenbush Calls For Women’s Equality Bills To Come To A Vote

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) and his Minority colleagues today called on the Speaker to allow individual women’s equality bills to be brought to the floor for a vote. In light of the Senate’s passage of eight bills separately, Blankenbush...

Blankenbush Named As Agriculture Committee Ranker

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) has been re-appointed as the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture. Blankenbush has advocated for family farmers on that committee since taking office. The position allows him...

Blankenbush: New Legislative Year Offers Fresh Start For New York

The New Year is often a time when we reflect on the past year, offering ourselves a fresh perspective and the opportunity to set goals and make important changes in our lives. I look at the beginning of the new legislative year in a similar way. Now is...

A Fresh Start For Our Education Department

Recently, State Education Department (SED) Commissioner John King announced his resignation to take a federal post. This means New York has a real opportunity to set the course right again in our education system and that all starts with the right appointment...