New York’s 19th Congressional Representative Marc Molinaro visited Cortland County yesterday for a Town Hall event at the County Office Buildings Auditorium.
The visit is part of Representative Molinaro’s plan to visit every county in the 19th district. Other stops for the congressman this week included Chenango, Sullivan, and Broome Counties.
Before beginning the town hall, Molinaro asked the audience for a brief moment of silence to honor Bob Howe, who recently passed away earlier this week and before taking questions Molinaro explained why he was conducting a town hall event.
“Being able to get together with residents so that I can hear you and you can hear me. Questions, answers, comments in a respectful way I think is so very very important.” Molinaro said to the audience before opening up for questions.
During the Town Hall event Molinaro answered questions on the state withholding Medicare funding, school tuition costs, taxpayer monies going to foreign nations, taxes, and environmental concerns and responsibility.
One question in particular was how the state is attempting to place a billion dollars that is directed to Medicaid to general funds. Molinaro answered with his opinion on this.
“But I think very clear. That this proposal is not only a counter to Congress’ intent. We take your taxpayer money from you – we send it back to the city and counties. We don’t want it redirected to Albany.” Molinaro said.
Questions continued for about an hour due to the congressman needing to leave for another town hall in Broome county, but Molinaro reiterated to the audience attending that this town hall is only the first and many more will happen and to reach out to his office whenever on concerns.
