Tough Times Require Cooperation

A New Year always brings new opportunity—and new challenges.

This year, New Yorkers face some of our biggest challenges ever: a state budget that is more than $10 billion in the red, a sluggish economy and slow job growth, and ever increasing demands for services that are paid for by taxpayers.

Earlier this month, our new Governor unveiled his vision for New York that was stark in its reality about the need to lower spending, reduce taxes, and change the way that government works. He brought that message directly to Northern and Central New York this week by hosting a local Town Hall meeting at Jefferson Community College.

Gov. Cuomo’s comments echoed those I heard on the campaign trail, and in meetings I have held with constituents throughout Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties since I was sworn in as your new State Senator on January 1.

New Yorkers want their elected leaders to work together to solve these problems. While they understand the need for sacrifice, they also want to make sure that spending cuts are applied evenly and fairly, so that no region of the state bears a disproportionate share of the burden.

I’ve committed to working with representatives of both parties to put our state back on firm footing, help our economy grow, and create an environment where businesses and new jobs can flourish.

We’ve been tested by adversity before. But by working together, we have shown we can overcome challenges to make our communities, our families, and our region stronger than ever.

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My office is up and running, and ready to serve you. If you have a problem with state government that needs solving, or you have an idea or comment you would like to share, you can contact my office in Watertown, at (315) 782-3418, email me at ritchie@nysenate.gov, or find me on Facebook.