Many upstate New York representatives shared their thoughts after President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech Tuesday night.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) applauded Obama for focusing on the middle class and economic opportunity in a statement.
“Tonight President Obama presented a plan to ensure a fair shot at the American dream for anyone willing to earn it," Gillibrand said. "As I travel throughout the state, New Yorkers tell me they are still struggling even as the economy begins to show signs of recovery. They want action from Congress to ease the burden of the basic costs of living so they can provide for their families, afford to send their kids to college, work good paying jobs, and retire with dignity."
Gillibrand did express her dissatisfaction that the president did not use his speech to highlight the issue of sexual assaults on college campuses.
The senator's guest for the speech was a representative of a grassroots movement of young women holding Congress and the system accountable for keeping college campuses safe.
Rep. John Katko (R-Camillus) attended his first State of the Union last night. Katko says Obama's proposal to eliminate a tax loophole for inherited wealth would have unintended consequences, especially for upstate New York farmers.
"Those farmers aren’t rich, but they do have a valuable asset, that being their land," he said. "If you talk about eliminating that inheritance tax, the tax break for inheritance, those farms are gone."
Rep. Katko says tax reform shouldn't include what he calls 'class warfare.'
In general, Katko believes the president should have focused more on alleviating poverty, a problem that grips many upstate New York cities.
On the topic of Obama's proposal for free community college, things are a bit less black and white for Katko. He isn't backing the president's plan for free community college, but Katko says it's a discussion worth having and that it could be a place to find common ground.
More on Katko's response to the State of the Union here.
Another freshman member of Congress, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-Willsboro), issued a statement following the State of the Union. Stefanik commented on the need for bipartisan problem solving, quality of life for the North Country, and economic development in her region.
"I hope that the president will work with Congress on behalf of American people. American's are tired of divisive politics and sent a clear message in the last election that they want us to work together, solve problems, and protect the future of our nation," Stefanik said in the statement.
The North Country congresswoman also highlighted progress made on bipartisan measures to help veterans, families and businesses; and the controversial Keystone XL pipeline.
Sen. Charles Schumer, A Democrat, also offered a statement following Obama's speech. He called the State of the Union optimistic, forward-looking and non-partisan.
"President Obama didn't point any fingers, and without any anger or negativity, he simply said 'let's come together for the good of America and the good of the middle class. President Obama's speech was uplifting for Democrats and for the country, and we hope our Republican colleagues will join us in coming together in the spirit of the speech," Schumer said.
Rep. Richard Hanna (R-Barneveld) says that the country’s economic picture is more complicated than what President Obama presented. Hanna represents an area of central New York stretching from Utica to Binghamton, which has struggled economically -- including with retaining jobs.
“People are dropping out of the workforce. So the way we track numbers doesn’t give an accurate picture, doesn’t take away that a great many people have found employment.”
Hanna does not agree with the president’s free community college plan. Hanna says he does not support the president’s plan to offer two years free community college. And he said that Obama’s threat to veto certain bills was not a helpful start to the year.
But Hanna, a moderate, says Republicans and Democrats need to compromise to get things done. He's hopeful funding infrastructure projects may be one area where the two sides can find some common ground.
