As the New York State Legislature begins its 2025 session, Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R,C-Sand Lake) is committed to advocating for policies that will make New York more affordable for its residents, particularly senior citizens and young families. With many residents leaving for states with lower costs of living, Bendett plans to continue his efforts to fight for tangible changes that will allow New Yorkers to stay and thrive in their communities.

“New York state has become increasingly unaffordable, and this is hitting our seniors and younger families the hardest,” said Bendett. “It’s time for our government to act on behalf of those who have spent their entire lives here, paying into the system, and now find it impossible to live comfortably as they grow older.”

During his first term, Bendett held town halls with seniors across his district to listen to their concerns. He plans to continue these events to ensure he’s connected to the issues that matter most to his constituents.

“Many of our older residents are being forced to leave the state for lower property taxes and affordable living in places like Florida and the Carolinas. It’s time we put policies in place to keep these New Yorkers here, living out their retirement years with dignity,” Bendett stated.

Among the most pressing issues for New Yorkers are rising property taxes and the skyrocketing costs of food and housing. Bendett sees the impact firsthand in his district, where the median home price has soared. In Bethlehem, where he lived for a decade, the median home price has reached $420,000, while in Kinderhook, it’s now $625,000 in the village and $439,000 in the town.

“Where are young families supposed to afford homes in places like this? It’s pricing people out of the communities they grew up in, and it’s devastating,” said Bendett. “Even seniors, who have owned homes for decades, are finding it unaffordable to stay in their own neighborhoods.”

Bendett is committed to tackling the affordability crisis head-on by advocating for property tax relief and reducing the excessive regulation that makes it harder for developers to build affordable housing. “In some parts of my district, builders are now only constructing homes for the wealthy because it’s no longer worth it to build an average single-family home,” Bendett explained. “We need to cut red tape and make it easier to build homes that families can afford.”

As the 2025 Legislative Session gets underway, Bendett remains focused on making life better for his constituents, especially seniors and young families, who are bearing the brunt of New York’s high costs. He looks forward to continuing his work in Albany and fighting for policies that will help all New Yorkers stay in the state they love.

*Click here to watch a standup from Assemblyman Scott Bendett*