“I would like to begin by thanking CEO Ray Halbritter of the Oneida Nation Enterprises for not only being an outstanding partner but for hosting our county leaders and residents today. I would also like to thank the County Executive for the invitation to today’s address
that my office attended, as I was still in budget discussions and unable to attend. However, after reviewing the state of the county, I want to thank the county leadership for their continued forward thinking and will work to provide the necessary State resources to
support the initiatives proposed. While there were many initiatives mentioned today, I want to highlight a few in particular below.
“As a Member of the Assembly, I am in full support of the Executive’s announcement calling for a countywide sales ban on kratom products, as I co-sponsored regulatory legislation, Bills A.2340-A and A.5852-A, Acts which established a minimum purchase age of 21 years-old for kratom products and required explicit packaging warning labels on all kratom products, which are now New York State Law.
“Furthermore, I supported the Assembly One-House Budget Resolution, which included the $60 million investment to support the creation of four quantum technology commercialization hubs statewide, and I will continue to promote the City of Rome as the best placement location for this investment given the extraordinary expertise and potential that currently exists under the leadership of the Griffiss Institute.
“Most recently, I hosted a Youth in Crisis Roundtable in Albany where county leadership outlined their critical needs for our youth in crisis and their mental health challenges. I appreciate the County Executive, Sheriff Maciol, Judge Caldwell, Commissioner
Thompson, Director Bolton, and CEO Walker-Czyz, for making our youth a priority in Oneida County, and will continue to support and advocate for resources on behalf of this much needed initiative.
“Currently, there are numerous funding proposals in the State budget to support these needs. Another great initiative that I was briefed on today is the priority that Oneida County has placed on housing. In the Assembly One-House Budget Resolution, we have various funding opportunities for housing programs. and while I have secured funding for workforce and supportive housing in the past, I will continue to listen to the needs and requests of our county.
“My office is always open and willing to listen to and support any great initiatives that are raised to me, such as those mentioned today. The difficult challenge is always to maintain a sustainable and sensible budget that is affordable while meeting the needs of the district I represent.”
