While it’s been said multiple times before, agriculture is one of the most, if not the most, important industries in America. Each year, the number of farms and farmers decreases, while the population of our country increases. The future does not look...

With what seems like a new natural disaster occurring every week, previous disasters unfortunately take a back seat in the minds of those around the state and country. This past month we have seen Hurricanes Harvey and Irma leave a path of flooding and...

This past year, an issue that flew under the radar for many was the shift in New York’s STAR Program. This shift, while small, is already leaving many New Yorkers uneasy and overburdened. While the objections to this shift in the STAR Program have been...

Labor Day has come and gone. Summer vacation is officially over, and the sound of school bells ringing can be heard across the state. While the frenzy of the school year has just gotten underway, it is important we take a moment and speak to our students...

This past week, I had the opportunity to tour a local correctional facility in the 117th Assembly District and came across something problematic. While meeting with the hard-working men and women who help keep the criminals locked up and our community...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush’s (R,C,I-Black River) Staff will hold mobile office hours on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Camden Village Office; Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lowville Town Office; Thursday, Sept. 14 from...

I am fed up with the stifling of businesses in New York. High taxes and regulations limit businesses from hiring more local workers. Adding insult to injury is a very high minimum wage, which limits this number even more. Our businesses are the job creators...

As summer draws to a close, what better way to end it then with a trip to the New York State Fair? Starting Aug. 23 to Sept. 4, the fair will be held at the fairgrounds in Syracuse for almost two weeks of family fun. With last year breaking the attendance...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) today expressed his disappointment in New York Air Brake’s relocation of dozens of jobs from its Watertown facility to the company’s Salisbury, North Carolina location. The transition, which will cost...

Recently, Gov. Cuomo joked that towns would have to compete in a Downtown Revitalization Contest and place in the top four to win money. Only to mince words and admit he was skewing the truth, making light of the hard-working civil servants who keep our...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) will hold mobile office hours on Wednesday, August 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lowville Town Office. Residents and elected officials are welcome to address any ideas or concerns they may have. WHO: Assemblyman...

Gov. Cuomo can’t seem to help himself when it comes to his one-track focus on controversial issues, many of which are self-serving. Earlier this week, Gov. Cuomo made a statement regarding New York being a safe harbor and said that “ultraconservatives”...

The world is changing, and access to information has become faster and easier than ever before. What once required weeks of study and research is now easily accomplished with a few clicks. There is no denying that technology and access to information...

As summer kicks into full gear, people are brought together by events such as block parties, concerts and county fairs to enjoy the nice weather and each other’s company. These events not only strengthen our communities, they also are a great benefit...

I am pleased to announce that almost $26 million will be put into repairing 194.1 lane miles of state roads across Northern New York, with construction beginning this summer or approaching fall. The money will come from the Department of Transportation’s...

Whether it’s to brush your teeth, prepare a meal or drink a cold beverage on a hot summer day, everyone deserves access to clean water. It may amaze many to learn that not everyone can just turn on a sink to a clear stream. It should be a government’s...

Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) will hold mobile office hours on Wednesday, July 12 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lowville Town Office; Tuesday, July 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Camden Village Office; and Thursday, July 27 from 2 to 4 p.m....

Last week, my colleagues and I completed the annual marathon that is the end of session. We worked late into the evenings, passed the “few” bills that remained, said our goodbyes, and headed home for the rest of the year, or so we thought. On Monday,...

Although this year’s legislative session is drawing to a close, I am still hard at work fighting for our community and local interests. I feel it is only appropriate that during National Dairy Month, I announce my co-sponsorship of a bill which will...

As the number of days left in this year’s legislative session grows smaller, the issue of procurement reform still looms large. If the Legislature is to earn back the trust of its constituents, there must be changes made in how the state handles the...