Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I – Corning) has joined the Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus. The caucus is a bipartisan organization of Assembly and Senate members who work to promote awareness of and protect the interests of sportsmen statewide.

Palmesano noted that hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation contribute more than $6 billion annually to the state’s economy and there are more than 1.4 million resident sportsmen in New York state. In addition to promoting tourism and bolstering local economies during tough financial times, he added, it is important to create a cohesive effort to promote economically vital outdoor activities for families and their communities such as hunting, fishing, ATV riding and snowmobiling.

“Residents in upstate New York hold their outdoor traditions and pastimes sacred,” Palmesano said. “It is our duty to protect their interests and ensure that New Yorkers will be able to enjoy outdoor recreational activities for years to come. The sporting industry brings in a significant amount of business to the local economy. We must work to protect and enhance this vital industry.”

As part of his responsibilities as a member of the sportsmen’s caucus, Palmesano recently attended the Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Breakfast in Albany. At the event, he joined his fellow caucus members, as well as representatives of sportsmen’s organizations from across the state, to discuss ways to bring their issues to the forefront and work to preserve sportsmen’s rights.

“Coming together with fellow members of the bipartisan Sportsmen’s Caucus and sportsmen from all around the state, we are able to get a better understanding of the issues affecting sportsmen,” said Palmesano. “From there, we are able to work together to ensure that sportsmen’s rights and traditions are upheld.”