Kathy Hochul Hits the Ground Running

By Kathy Groob –Upstate New York’s 26^th Congressional District was a seat that no Democrat could win.  That was until Kathy Hochul’s upset victory got the attention of the nation on May 24^th when she became the first woman to win the seat that was previously held by Republicans.  Hochul, a Democrat county clerk form Erie County New York, was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on June 1^st and has wasted no time in getting to work on important legislation.

Last week, Congresswoman Hochul opposed the Republican bill that could hike gas prices back to record highs. The Agriculture Appropriations Bill would slash the budget for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission – the agency tasked with policing price manipulation in oil markets – by $30 million from last year’s budget, and by $136 million or 44% from the President’s request.

“As Western New Yorkers, we have unfortunately become accustomed to paying record prices for gas at the pumps, even paying the highest in the nation back in 2008,” said Congresswoman Hochul.  “But today’s bill to hack funding from the CFTC would essentially get rid of the sheriffs keeping an eye on our consumers.  We’d send them packing and the speculators who drive up our gas prices, would run wild shooting up the town.”

Congresswoman Hochul has a long history of looking out for New York Motorists.  In 1998, then-Town Board Member Hochul was the first elected official to take on the New York State Thruway Authority and fought to remove two tolls on the I-190 near Buffalo, saving motorists millions of dollars.

And while she served as Erie County Clerk, Kathy Hochul opposed Governor Patterson’s plan to mandate new license plates for every single New York State commuter, saving motorists $129 million.

While the new Congresswoman is aware of the significance of her race upon the 2012 strategies of both Democrats and Republicans, she plans to stay focused on the issues important to her constituents.

“I am honored to have been elected by the people of 26^th District and currently serve as their Representative in Congress.  And I am truly quite humbled to not only have won in such a close race, but also serve as first woman ever elected to this seat,” said Hochul.

“Since being sworn in I have received my first committee assignment and taken part in a committee hearing; met with multiple Cabinet members to discuss America’s security and the economy; offered my first amendment to ensure we keep gas prices down and money in the pockets of Western New Yorkers; and met with President Obama at the White House to discuss the need for deficit reduction, while still protecting Medicare and keeping the promises made to our seniors.”