North Country Leader

Assemblyman Blankenbush Reacts to State Budget Negotiations

In Albany, budget negotiations are still ongoing, three weeks after the deadline. Assemblyman Blankenbush expressed his concerns about the current state of affairs, stating, "Five budget bills have been passed so far, and I found it impossible to vote YES to any of them." He further elaborated on his stance, saying, "While these bills contain some good policies, the negatives outweigh the positives. These bills are packed with what we call 'poison pills', and there are just too many to swallow."

Blankenbush highlighted the detrimental effects of these "poison pills," noting, "These poison pills are responsible for slashing the budgets of volunteer fire companies across New York, which are a key part of our communities." Additionally, he criticized the reduction in funding for the CHIPS program, which plays a crucial role in developing the state's infrastructure. He remarked, "Albany Majority has flattened funding for the CHIPS program that develops our roads, bridges and overall infrastructure." Moreover, he pointed out the lack of accommodation for inflation in the bill, leading to a de facto cut in CHIPS funding.

Despite the challenges, Blankenbush remains hopeful for a resolution, stating, "Budget negotiations are still underway, and are expected to go into the weekend. If all goes as planned, we should have a budget agreement finalized by Sunday." The Assemblyman's concerns shed light on the complexities and controversies surrounding the state budget negotiations in Albany.