Today, Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C,I-Black River) threw his support behind the New York Farm Bureau and its push for an increased tax credit to help offset New York’s rising minimum wage. In its release, the Farm Bureau is advocating for a $500 credit per employee to help relieve the financial impact of the $9.70 per hour minimum wage.

“I am completely supportive of the New York Farm Bureau and its plan to help this state’s farmers cope with the unfriendly agricultural policies of our governor,” said Blankenbush. “The financial burden our agriculture community will undertake with the increase in the state’s minimum wage has been well documented, and steps must be taken to help offset that burden if our farms are to survive.”

Late last year, the governor also vetoed legislation for a second time that would give farmers a credit of up to 25 percent of the value of food donated to local food banks.

“The agriculture industry in this state is not only responsible for helping fill our grocery stores and farmers’ markets, but it is the pulse of many communities across the state. We must continue to advocate for the farming community’s concerns or this state will lose an often overlooked yet enormously important voice,” said Blankenbush.