Maintaining the Status Quo, by definition, is to keep the current or existing social and political values as is. This is precisely how the Assembly Majority of New York State operates. A majority of the people in New York are fed up with how this state is run and would like to see things change. The biggest roadblock to any improvements will continue to be the increasingly narrow vision of the Assembly Speaker and his cohorts.

For years, the Assembly Minority Conference has come up with creative and innovative ideas that would improve the lives of those living in New York State, from the longstanding battle to get a People’s Convention bill put in place, to the more recent Spirit of ’76 bill introduced this session. Both of these bills would allow for more transparency and a decentralization of power. However, they have been disregarded in an attempt to keep the residents of New York in the dark. This isn’t how government should work.

I co-sponsor the Spirit of ’76 bill (A.8658), which would require any bill which reaches a majority of sponsors, 76 in the Assembly, and 32 sponsors in the Senate, to come to the floor for discussion. This would help combat the hostage-holding of common sense legislation that happens each session by the Assembly Majority. Unfortunately, this bill, like so many other fair and bipartisan bills, has been tossed aside and sat in committee. My task is to help bring this injustice to light and make you, the people of this state, aware of the games being played in Albany.

The people of New York deserve to have legislation that will improve their lives talked about and acted on; that is our job! It’s time to set aside the egos and the pride and actually improve the lives of all New Yorkers, not just those who live downstate. I will continue to serve as your voice and be an advocate for your concerns. The dark rooms of Albany need to be lit for all to see, and people’s lives must be put over politics.

I welcome your thoughts on the status quo in our state or any other legislative matter. Please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us or calling my office at 493-3909.