Tax Freedom Day is a day when you, the taxpayer, have worked long enough to pay your annual federal, state and local taxes. This year, New York’s Tax Freedom Day falls on May 8, one of the latest in the nation. According to the Tax Foundation, in...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) had the honor of introducing Cadet Brandon A. Lloyd of Watertown at the annual West Point Day celebration in Albany. This is Cadet Lloyd’s second visit to the Capitol. “I know I can say on behalf...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) welcomed St. Lawrence Senior honoree Edward J. Fischer at the annual New York State Senior Citizens’ Day at the Capitol. Fischer is from DeKalb Junction and has been an active volunteer for more than 30...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is disappointed by the continued closed-door approach of the Board of Regents in regard to education policy. Their approach was further demonstrated by the invite-only Teacher Evaluation Summit that will...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) joined the Future Farmers of America (FFA) students from Vernon-Verona-Sherrill (VVS) School District to bring the Mobile Maple Museum to the Westmoreland Elementary School. “The work that our FFA...

I, like you, have done my fair share of head shaking after reading scandalous headlines about certain state legislators and their questionable sense of ethics. There is a serious problem with some politicians who break the law by trying to scam the system,...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) today voted for the Women’s Equality Pay Act, A.6075, a bill unanimously supported that reinforces current law prohibiting discrimination in pay due to gender. The bill is one portion of the Women’s...

Lately, our state’s children have been on the forefront of all our minds. We’ve been having productive and important discussions on education reforms and fair funding for our schools. The fervor and attention this issue has been given shows just how...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is encouraged by the recent revelation that Board of Regents Chancellor Meryl Tisch said implementation of teacher evaluation reforms by November 2015 is unreasonable. Blankenbush debated against the measures...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) today expressed disappointment with the Assembly Majority’s efforts to block legislation that would impact the men and women at our military bases, especially those at Ft. Drum. It is expected...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C-Black River) is disappointed by the Assembly Majority for blocking part of the Achieving Pupil Preparedness and Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan. The APPLE Plan focuses on reforming education. A key component of the plan...

During the month of April, our children are faced with Common Core testing, which should remind each of us of how important it is to reform the education system in New York. Certainly, there are flaws with the implementation of Common Core, and I have...

New York is known for many things, but, unfortunately, we’re not known for being a business-friendly state. In fact, New York was ranked dead last in economic outlook in this year’s “Rich States, Poor States” report from the American Legislative...

The 2015-16 Enacted Budget clearly highlights the lack of collaboration and cooperation that is holding our state back in many areas. The governor presented a budget that showed he had little interest in working with the Legislature or listening to local...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) finished voting on the 2015-16 State Budget noting that the final bills lacked any real substance. Blankenbush supported landmark increases for Agriculture and Market programs, but rejected the budget’s...

“It’s a real shame that the budget presented to the Legislature has failed to help New York families with the cost of living in this state. Residents are taxed on their income and nearly everything else, even on items of necessity. Where is the relief,...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is encouraged by ongoing discussions about forming a panel to address New York’s teacher evaluation process. Blankenbush has been an outspoken critic of the governor for using bully tactics that tied his...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) is calling on Cornell University President David Skorton to take action regarding statements made by Assistant Dean Joseph Scaffido about terrorist groups like Hamas. Scaffido said he would welcome the terrorist...

“We’re hearing there may be an additional $600 million in expected windfall funds, and I believe that money should be invested in upstate New York. We’ve paid more than our fair share and haven’t seen much in return from the state. We should evenly...

Agriculture is one of the oldest and most significant industries in our state’s economy. There is no doubt that it has a major impact on our economy today. In the last year alone, farming and agribusiness generated nearly $6 billion in sales in New...