Assemblyman Marc W. Butler (R,C, I – Newport) visited the Old Forge area on Monday, October 29, making some door to door visits, stopping at Walt’s Diner and shaking a few hands along the way.
Butler is the incumbent assemblyman from the current 117th Assembly District, and is running to represent the new 118th District in the election on Tuesday, November 6.
“Getting out campaigning this year has energized me. I’ve enjoyed talking to people and have learned a lot about how they feel about a number of issues,” Butler said.
The three top issues that people were concerned about were the economy, taxes and jobs, he said.
“If we can turn the economy around, which requires some fiscal discipline at the state level, then we will become a more attractive environment to attract jobs, and some of the other issues will work themselves out,” he said.
Although the property tax cap issue has caused some concern among schools and some county officials, Butler said we all need to learn how to get along with a little bit less.
“I think for the first time in several years we’ve got some strong leadership in Albany. The legislature has responded and we’ve had two on-time budgets in a row which are reasonably sound. And we’re laying the foundation for some improvement,” he said.
As a result of the redistricting, the new 118th Assembly District includes all of Hamilton and Fulton counties, nine townships in St. Lawrence county, six townships in Oneida county, and most of Herkimer county, including all of the Town of Webb.
If elected to his ninth term in the New York State Assembly, Butler said he may have some new opportunities for a leadership position.
“With my 17 years of seniority, coupled with the opportunity for a leadership position, it would put me in an excellent position to advocate for this area.”
