Dec 11

Dec 11 2023 Year in Review By New York Assemblymember Robert Smullen

I had a very busy and eventful year both in Albany and in my district. With the holidays upon us, this is a great time to give to families in our community in need, reflect on the year we’ve had and prepare for a new one. This year, I am taking part in the 7th Annual Salvation Army of Fulton & Montgomery Counties Christmas Toy Drive. More than 150 collection boxes seeking new, unwrapped toys are being deployed throughout both counties by Broadalbin-Perth High School junior and student activist Bella Romano and her mother, Jessica Romano. Thank you so much to Bella and Jessica for their initiative and hard work to make this amazing endeavor happen. The holiday drive ends on Friday, Dec. 15, so please donate if you can.

In addition to holiday donations, I have also been working hard to assist our rural schools and businesses in upstate New York. I was proud to help organize multiple rural equity forums hosted by different assemblymembers, including Assemblyman Anil Beephan, Jr. (R,C-East Fishkill), Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown), Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R,C-Sand Lake), Assemblyman John Lemondes (R,C-LaFayette) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning). These forums allowed state and local representatives to meet to discuss what the state could do differently to support our educators, farmers and business owners, as well as improve our rural communities overall.

The comprehensive strategies and legislation discussed during these forums will lay the groundwork to build and strengthen our rural communities. Our small businesses, fire departments, police stations and schools require our attention. It’s time we put our rural communities first and tend to their needs so they have the funding and resources to remain vibrant for years to come. These forums were very successful and ultimately brought people together from all over the state to address issues affecting those throughout many walks of life. I look forward to seeing what legislation and solutions emerge as a result of this collaboration between so many districts and people.

In helping assist our schools, I have spoken out against the proposed Electric School Bus Mandate that would place a large financial strain on our upstate school districts. The full transition for all school bus fleets to all-electric statewide would cost between $8 and $15.25 billion more than the cost of replacing retiring school buses with new diesel buses, a completely unaffordable switch for our schools, especially those in rural areas. I will continue to speak out against this proposal and work with our upstate school districts to find a more proactive and financially feasible solution.

The Assembly Minority Conference and I will continue to advocate for New York families and communities so everyone can feel safe and secure as we enjoy this holiday season and look forward to the new year. I am very excited for the 2024-25 Legislative Session to begin so I can continue to look out for and speak up for the best interests of New York residents across the state.

Assemblyman Robert Smullen represents the 118th Assembly District, which includes Hamilton County and parts of Montgomery, Fulton, Herkimer and Oneida counties

Special thanks to The Genesis Group for contributing this article. The Genesis Group is a civic organization that unites Business and Community Leaders working to advance regional Economic, Social and Cultural interests, and to foster unity and cooperation in the Mohawk Valley region of Upstate New York.