"The EI-Hub system has faced significant reliability issues, preventing children with disabilities across New York from receiving essential support they need. Although it was created to streamline access to services, its implementation has led to widespread...

“Today’s address painted an optimistic vision for New York but failed to address the urgent challenges residents face. The cost of living is unsustainable, with soaring housing prices, record-high groceries and rising energy costs thanks to forced...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C- Black River) through a State and Municipal (SAM) Facilities Grant was able to secure $50,000 for the Russell Fire Department. This grant was used to purchase repairs to their current station, specifically roof repairs,...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C- Black River) voiced his concerns with the lack of transparency regarding New York State Energy and Research Development Authority (NYSERDA) spending at an Assembly Energy Committee public hearing in Albany. NYSERDA operates...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C- Black River) voiced his disappointment over Governor Hochul’s veto of a bill designed to increase transparency in state spending (A.10281). This bill, which passed unanimously in the Assembly and Senate, would have...

Last month, severe storms barreled across the North Country, devastating parts of Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Yesterday, Governor Hochul announced her request to declare the situation a major disaster has been approved by President Biden, providing...

“My Assembly District is towns and villages in Lewis, Jefferson, Oneida and St. Lawrence Counties. Although all counties had detrimental impacts from the most recent storm, this time St. Lawrence was hit the hardest, followed by Jefferson, Lewis and...

Over the past month, torrential storms and extreme weather have devastated Lewis County. Without the support of our volunteer fire departments across the county, the devastation could have been exponentially worse. This is a prime example of the importance...

Today, President Summers and Executive Vice President Keough announced the closure of the Great Meadow Correctional Facility as well as the Sullivan Correctional Facility. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision announced these facilities...

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for creating rules and regulations to keep workers safe in private and public industries across all 50 states in the US. While good work is done to protect workers, the newly proposed...

Summer is finally here, and with it comes a slew of outdoor activities across our district. Up here in the North Country and the Mohawk Valley, our counties dotted with small villages are distinctly different from the rest of the state. From fantastic...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C-Black River) co-sponsored legislation that would authorize reimbursements to medical service agencies for providing emergency medical care to Medicaid enrollees. While five proposals like this have passed through the Senate,...

Once again, June is here and the Assembly session has come to an end. I just returned to my home in Black River, and to my District office. As I return, I wanted to take the time to reflect on this legislative session.Over the past few months, I have...

In New York, the process of competency restoration is used when an individual who is convicted of a crime is found to be incompetent to stand trial due to active mental illness or disability. In that case, the defendant cannot be tried until they have...

On the last Monday of May, Americans across the nation get together to celebrate with their families; enjoying each other's company. While many Americans treat this day as a day of celebration, it should be treated equally as a day of remembrance. As...

Established in 1908, Fort Drum stands as a prominent landmark in Jefferson County. On May 7, three distinguished members of the Fort Drum community joined us in Albany to be recognized for their dedication to the daily operations of the fort. These members...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C-Black River) joined members of the state Legislature to celebrate the annual Adirondack Day held in Albany. The event was attended by lawmakers, businesses and organizations from throughout the Adirondack Park. The forum...

Established in 1992, Donate Life America is a non-profit organization that works to increase the number of donated organs available to save as many human lives as possible. Through transplants, many Americans have been able to extend their lives by many...

Established in 2007, foundation aid is the largest form of state funding for school districts across New York. Unlike other state education aid, foundation aid is much more flexible. This kind of aid is based on general enrollment in the school district,...

“Budget negotiations are underway in Albany… three weeks after the deadline. Five budget bills have been passed so far, and I found it impossible to vote YES to any of them.While these bills contain some good policies, the negatives outweigh the positives....