Press release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) is defending the views of his constituents by condemning Gov. Cuomo’s recent comments about people who he perceives as “extreme conservatives.” Hawley believes that a governor who says that a significant percentage of New York’s population has no place in the state should not be the governor.

“The governor’s comments about my constituents are offensive and are a Freudian slip which reveals what he truly thinks of upstate New Yorkers. He has no right to come to upstate New York and call himself governor when he has such obvious disdain for its people,” Hawley said. “The majority of Upstate New Yorkers are pro-Second Amendment and believe in traditional family values. If the governor does not think the good people of upstate New York have a place in New York, he seems to be doing a good job of driving our families out of the state with his highest-in-the-nation taxes and infringements on our rights.”

In an interview with a statehouse news reporter, Cuomo said of the conservatives, “Their problem is not me and the Democrats; their problem is themselves. Who are they? Are they these extreme conservatives who are right-to-life, pro-assault-weapon, anti-gay? Is that who they are? Because if that’s who they are and they’re the extreme conservatives, they have no place in the state of New York, because that’s not who New Yorkers are.”

Hawley is also using this incident to push the importance of his Two New Yorks legislation, which would place an initiative on the ballot to allow New Yorkers to vote on whether or not they want to split New York into two states. In the last year, the governor has trampled on the Second Amendment rights of the people and openly stated that those who disagree with have no place in New York, Hawley said.

These actions by the governor should motivate upstate New Yorkers to defend their rights and their dignity against these attacks, Hawley said.

Photos by Peggy Barringer

ALBION – Peggy Barringer was out hunting the moon last night with her camera and took this striking photo of the moon looming over the Orleans County Courthouse and the County Clerks Building.

The weather forecast shows a chance for snow with temperatures mostly in the 20s the next few days.

Local assemblyman named assistant minority leader

Steve Hawley has been promoted to assistant minority leader in the State Assembly, a spot that puts him in the top five of leadership among the Assembly Republicans.

Leader Brian Kolb appointed Hawley to the position. He has been serving as deputy whip. In his new role, Hawley will help create conference policy initiatives, urge his fellow legislators to support pro-job creation proposals and better advocate for his constituent’s concerns.

“It’s all about getting things done for the people back here,” Hawley said this afternoon.

The Batavia resident has been serving in the Assembly for nearly eight years. He represents all of Orleans County, except the town of Shelby. The district also includes all of Genesee and part of western Monroe County.

In his new role in the Assembly, Hawley said he will have more input shaping legislation and he’ll have more clout when he talks with Democrats who are in the majority.

“I plan to use this new position to give voice to my constituents and promote policies that create jobs, lower the tax burden on Western New York families and protect our country’s veterans,” Hawley said in a statement. “I thank Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb and my colleagues for trusting me with this task. With their support and the support of my constituents, I look forward to serving in this role.”

Hawley is a former hog farmer who owns an insurance agency in Batavia. Kolb said Hawley has been “a staunch supporter of small businesses and farmers, and he understands the importance of creating jobs and improving the economy.”