As budget negotiations continue, I wanted to take the time to lay out some of the priorities I’d like to see addressed in this year’s state budget. After meeting with so many various organizations and advocates over the last two months, I’ve been able to take the pulse of our district and lay out what we would like to accomplish.

At the top of my list is the ever-present desire for ethics reform. Each year, our Legislature seems to find its way to the front pages of the major newspapers for all the wrong reasons. This year, we took a step in the right direction and passed a constitutional amendment stripping corrupt public officials convicted of felonies pertaining to their positions of their taxpayer-funded pensions. In November, residents of New York will have the ability to vote in favor of this measure and make it law, something I eagerly look forward to. However, we can’t stop our ethics reforms there. We must continue to push for term limits for legislative leaders to ensure a fresh flow of new ideas, and campaign finance reform to take big money out of politics.

College affordability is also an issue I have a great deal of concern about. I prefer my Conference’s plan over the governor’s headline-grabbing “free college” plan, due to its expansion of the already-present Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). My Conference’s plan would readjust the eligibility brackets of TAP, something that hasn’t been done in nearly two decades, while also providing tax credits to graduates paying back their student loans. It’s a plan that helps those entering and exiting higher education and would have a much larger impact than the governor’s.

Infrastructure. Infrastructure. Infrastructure. Last week I attended the annual Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) rally, and am continually blown away by the support from highway workers across the state who visit Albany and join the fight for fair road and bridge funding. Increasing the funding our district receives not only ensures safe roads and sound bridges for our families, but creates jobs for hundreds across the district.

Finally, we can’t forget about our farmers. With the minimum wage set to rise again this year, it’s crucial we are able to provide our agriculture community with the necessary tax cuts to compensate for the increased costs of doing business. As one of the largest industries in our district, it is paramount we look after the best interests of our farmers and continue to advocate on their behalf in this year’s budget.

With the March 31 deadline approaching, I will continue to fight for the above issues, as well as rural library funding and the fair distribution of education aid to our schools. Let me know what your thoughts on this year’s state budget are, and any other legislative matters that come to mind. Please contact me by emailing blankenbushk@nyassembly.gov or calling my office at 315-493-3909.