When we elect and then send our upstate legislators to Albany, we expect that they will be inspirational and unique individuals who will lead rather than blindly follow the wishes of others who have special interests to satisfy. 

Who do these legislators truly represent: ordinary, hard-working, middle-class Americans or wealthy, elite developers who care little about the rural environment we love so much?

Right now, Albany legislators and Gov. Hochul are negotiating the final terms of the state budget, which should have been passed by March 31 but is already late. Proponents of the Faith-Based Affordable Housing Act (FBAHA) (S03397A/A03647A) are trying to sneak this legislation into the final version of the budget bill rather than have our legislators stand up before us and say “yea” or “nay” for the public record.

This FBAHA legislation, if approved, will radically change our upstate towns and negatively impact our fragile natural resources, while taking away forever our reasonable local zoning rights.

To our elected state officials: Remember who you really represent. Be courageous, not cowardly! Have the guts to stop sneaking this terrible legislation into law in the dark of night, or we will remember in November what you do to us today.

John Maniec
Kauneonga Lake, NY