Belmont, N.Y., April 24 – More than 100 people attended a joint town hall hosted Thursday by state Senator Tom O'Mara (R,C-Big Flats), Senator George Borrello (R,C–57th Senate District), and Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski (R,C-148th Assembly District) at Genesee Valley Central School in Belmont.

O'Mara said, “We appreciate all of the Allegany County residents who took the time to join us at this Town Hall meeting to share their thoughts on many of the critical issues facing local communities, the Southern Tier and Western New York, and all of New York State,” Senator O’Mara said. “We welcomed the opportunity to answer questions, and we appreciated the input and suggestions for addressing the goals and priorities we share for local communities and our entire region. Most importantly, we look forward to continuing to work together to better address these challenges and build stronger and safer communities.”

Sempolinski said, “We had a great turnout, especially for such a nice spring evening. I want to thank everyone who came to the town hall for spending some time with me, Senator Borrello and Senator O’Mara to talk about what’s going on in Albany and for sharing their concerns and advice and with us."

Topics included the late state budget, which is now three weeks overdue, New York’s high cost of living, the crisis at understaffed state prisons caused by Gov. Hochul’s decision to fire more than 2,000 corrections officers, and Albany’s renewable energy policies that are driving up utility costs and running roughshod over local control of wind and solar projects.

The joint town hall gave constituents an opportunity to talk to all three of their state Legislature representatives at one event. Sempolinski represents all of Allegany County, Borrello represents western Allegany County, and O'Mara's district covers the eastern part of Allegany County.

Borrello said the high turnout for the town hall is a clear signal that residents are paying attention and are deeply concerned about where Albany is taking this state.

“We heard passionate, substantive input on issues that hit close to home, from massive solar installations consuming prime farmland and clear-cut forests, to rising violence in our correctional facilities, rampant Medicaid fraud, and a tax burden that is driving families and businesses out of New York. These aren't abstract policy debates, they are real consequences being felt by real people in our communities. This is exactly the kind of honest conversation that representative government should reflect, and we are grateful to the residents of Allegany County for showing up, speaking out, and making their voices heard. We will keep fighting to make sure Albany hears them too,” Borrello said.

The legislators thanked Genesee Valley Central School for hosting the town hall and for Allegany County Board of Legislators Chairman Brooke Harris for leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

“It’s incredibly important for us to meet with the folks we represent face-to-face, to hear their concerns and let them know what we are doing in Albany,” Sempolinski said. “These are unprecedented times in New York. The cost of necessities like heating our homes and electricity are going up and up. It’s the policies of the governor and the Democrat majority in the Assembly and state Senate that are driving those costs. The only thing that’s clear is that one-party rule is failing New York’s families. The three of us are fighting to restore common-sense spending and policy making to Albany.”