While I’m in Albany, I do everything within my power to relay the concerns and issues of our district’s residents to my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate. This term, I will have an even greater ability to do so with the new committees I have been assigned. While continuing my role as Minority Ranker on the Agriculture Committee, I have been assigned to the Assembly’s Small Business and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. I have also taken on a new role within the Assembly Minority, and have been appointed Chairman of the Minority Joint Conference Committee. These new assignments will allow me to help my district even more than in previous years.

While our district is vast and diverse, agriculture, small business and our military are enormous aspects of daily life in the 117th Assembly District. With my new committee assignments, I will now be able to fight for our district during the committee process when it comes to legislation.

As always, I will continue to advocate for the farmers of our district and ensure that the Legislature continues to fight for this state’s agricultural community. The downstate-leaning Assembly Majority tends to forget about the massively important food producers of upstate when writing legislation. It is my duty, along with the other members of my Conference, to stand up for farmers across the state and fight against legislation that imposes even larger burdens on our agriculture community.

With my new assignment to the Small Business Committee, I will have direct access to the first steps of the legislative process and can combat the disastrous policies the Assembly Majority continually push. The war on small business in this state must end. They are our job producers, and we must cut the red tape that entrepreneurs’ and owners get caught up in year after year.

Finally, my placement on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee will provide a direct line of contact for the veterans and any current service members in my district. While I have always been an advocate for our veterans, this new assignment will allow me to voice their concerns exponentially.

These new and continued committee assignments will only help benefit the residents of our district. I am excited to connect with you, listen to your thoughts in these areas and any other legislative matters that come to mind. Please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@nyassembly.gov or calling my office at 493-3909.