Being a part of a blended family with six children, each with unique learning styles and different abilities, I know that a one-size-fits-all approach to education just doesn’t work. In that same vein, I know that college is not for everyone, and strongly support alternative pathways after graduation. As the former Ranking Member on the Assembly Education Committee, I have fought to bring back local control of our schools, empower parents to advocate for their children, and support our teachers by advocating for critical education and library funding.
As a family court attorney and current member of the Assembly’s Mental Health Committee, promoting the well-being of our region’s special needs community has always been one of my top priorities. It is an honor to work with community partners to bring the ThinkDIFFERENTLY initiative to the 112th Assembly District in order to create a more inclusive environment for individuals of all abilities. I’m fully aware that lifestyles for families with special needs children look different, that’s why I crafted legislation, which was signed into law in 2021, to provide financial support for adult children with disabilities.
Our region’s economy is diverse; it includes mom-and-pop shops on Main Street, small locally-built manufacturers and many family-owned farms. We’re highly connected with both transportation and communications infrastructure. There are so many advantages to our region, but job creators are still hampered by burdensome regulations and taxes. We can turn around New York’s business climate and make our state an attractive place to start a business and grow jobs. As your assemblywoman, I have spoken out against irresponsible spending that impacts the way of life for Upstate residents, families and small business owners.
New York State government has been shaken by scandal after scandal. New Yorkers are tired of it, and so am I. During my first month of being in the Assembly I voted in favor of stripping a publicly funded pension from any official who is convicted of a felony involving breach of public trust. In the years following I have continued to fight for some of the strictest ethics reforms in the nation, as well as for proposals that impose term limits for positions of leadership in order to dilute unfettered and concentrated power.
Middle-class families are the backbone of our communities, state and economy, but they have been facing big financial burdens. I will stand up for families by fighting for property tax relief. I already have a great record with families; I kept the Town of Ballston free of a town tax the entire eight years I served as Councilwoman. I spoke out against providing free college for illegal immigrants and will always stand up for families by pushing for more college financial aid for middle-class students.
Here in upstate New York, there are many traditions and values that we hold dear. We believe in strong families, strong communities, and our constitutional freedoms. First and foremost, as your assemblywoman, I will stand up against progressive downstate politicians. This includes protecting and restoring our Second Amendment rights.
Copyright © 2020 Mary Beth Walsh for NY State Assembly - All Rights Reserved.