As we begin a new legislative session, I wanted everyone to know just where my priorities will be for the new year. I know that we deserve a state where you can raise your family, find a career, and have trust in your government to do the right thing. That’s where I’ll be focused throughout our time in Albany.

As the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Small Business, I’ll fight to roll back the regulatory burden that stops the American dream from ever getting off the ground. I’ll also fight against increased taxes, which stifle creativity and the ability to succeed across our community. As a small business owner, I know where the issues are and how important it is to cut the red tape entangling our job creators. It is important to continue investing in our communities through small business ownership. When we make it easier for your ideas to become reality, we see jobs created, and we see Main Streets revived. A strong Main Street is the staple of a strong community, and that’s where the Western New York comeback starts.

This year, we must continue the positive momentum we’ve made in past sessions fighting against the Common Core curriculum. I’ve held countless forums and discussions across the district hearing horror story after horror story of what is occurring across our state because of a strict adherence to this failing education policy. Our children deserve the opportunity to succeed and grow. Our teachers deserve the opportunity to craft the curriculum they choose and create the teaching techniques of the future. Our boards of education deserve the opportunity to craft our school’s futures. We see them, we know them, and they’re far more accountable to us than a faceless Washington D.C. bureaucrat who has never met our children or seen our classrooms.

It is also imperative that we give the people of New York a government they can trust. It has been far too long since they’ve been proud of the work coming out of Albany. Our legislature must pass pension forfeiture for corrupt politicians who are convicted of a felony abuse of office. Not a single tax dollar should go to the retirement of those who have breached the public trust. We need every single bill to be available online for three days for public discussion and review. We have to have cameras and full representation during the budget process so all of New York is represented in these high-profile discussions.

My colleagues and I have worked tirelessly to combat the growing heroin epidemic, including holding round-table discussions around the state. We have to continue to work toward providing all the necessary resources to those struggling with addiction.

These are my priorities, what are yours? As your representative in Albany I want to hear from all of you. My office is right here in our hometown of East Aurora. I encourage all of you to reach out and be part of the discussion. My office is located at 411 Main Street, and our phone number is 716-655-0951. You can also reach us through email at dipietrod@nyassembly.gov.