With precious few days left in this year’s legislative session, we know the big issues I’ll be working on. Ethics reform, ending Common Core, lowering taxes and relaxing New York’s regulatory burden will be my top priorities, but in addition to those there’s a banner I’ll be carrying every day as time winds down. That banner is for the local family farms that are struggling to make ends meet. The family farm that is frequently overlooked by New York City interests in favor of more partisan pet projects. Albany cannot and must not forget them.

Family farms have felt the wrath of the Albany Leviathan time and time again. They know as well as anyone that New York consistently ranks at the bottom of tax climate and business regulations. They hear claims that New York is open for business, but feel something different every time they seek to make payroll. The stories I hear from those in our community and those in the 147th Assembly District are those who love what they do, but Albany is making it all too difficult. They deserve the opportunity to succeed.

As a small businessman and Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Small Business, I know the best way to foster growth is to get Albany out of the way. What is necessary to bring about growth is simple: removing government from the equation. Cut the red tape strangling farmers. Eliminate or drastically cut the taxes levied specifically on farms and other job creators. The remedy is tried and true. Cutting taxes and eliminating red tape makes the business atmosphere friendlier, brings jobs and success.

During this session, I have sponsored over 40 bills to make New York a friendlier environment for our local farms. This legislation ranges from eliminating the corporate franchise tax on manufacturers to extending the agricultural property tax credits to exempting licensed wineries from needing to obtain temporary sales permits, and much, much more. My record of fighting for our communities has been recognized by the New York Farm Bureau by being named to their Circle of Friends for three straight years. We need a larger focus on farms and I’m going to make sure they have a seat at the table.

I want to hear your story. If there are any local family farmers who would like to give firsthand testimony on just how you’d like to see Albany moved out of your path, please contact my office. Agriculture is one of our strongest industries, and it is often overlooked in the New York City-dominated Assembly. Your firsthand testimony is ultimately the human face to their inaction.

To discuss this or any of the other large issues Albany will seek to act on during these few remaining session days, please call my hometown office at 716-655-0951 or drop by 411 Main Street here in East Aurora.