Campaign Issues
So many issues face the constituents of AD131, Phillip Fleming can tackle them and make our community a better place.
Major issues facing New York State Assembly District 131 center on economic affordability, public safety, and protecting rural infrastructure. Key concerns include high inflation, excessive state spending, crime rates, bail reform policies, and protecting farmland from foreign ownership.
Key issues for the 131st District include:
Economic Affordability: Addressing high taxes, rising inflation, and the cost of living for families in the Finger Lakes region.
Public Safety and Criminal Justice: Calls to pass legislation to severely limit and keep in check United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel that have been invading cities and towns across the country, including in parts of AD131
Economic Development: Provide funding and infrastructure to increase commercial development for constituents to buy essential daily and weekly goods and services;
Infrastructure and Land Protection: Proposing legislation to prevent foreign entities, specifically from China, from purchasing local farmland and infrastructure; funding to support adequate public transportation in rural cities, towns, and villages;
Behavioral Health: Advocating against involuntary commitment laws for individuals with severe mental health issues in favor of psychosocial clubhouse development, in-person/hybrid/virtual support groups; access to trainings to become certified peer specialists; peer drop-in centers
Democratic Concerns for the 2026 State Legislative Session
Based on discussions regarding New York State legislative priorities, Democratic concerns for the 2026 session, and general regional issues, the following are considered major issues in NYS Assembly District 131, which covers parts of Ontario, Seneca, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Chenango, and Broome counties:
Economic Affordability and Taxes: A major focus is on reducing the overall cost of living, with specific attention on lowering property taxes, which are frequently cited as a burden in rural and suburban areas.
Child Care and Workforce Stability: As regional industries grow, there is a recognized need to increase investment in child care to support parents returning to work and to address workforce shortages.
Housing Availability: While the area has experienced economic growth, this has also led to housing inventory shortages and high prices, necessitating a push for more affordable housing.
Environmental Protection: Policies to protect local natural resources and water quality are consistently cited as priorities.
School Funding and Infrastructure: Increased state aid for local school districts to manage rising operational costs is a key, long-term issue.
Broadband and Infrastructure Development: Ensuring reliable, high-speed internet access for rural communities and maintaining local infrastructure is essential for economic development.
What I stand for and how I will represent the constituents of AD131
My top issues are:
Public school education, community engagement, immigration rights (pro-immigrant but definitely anti-ICE as a personal military machine for the current president of the United States), behavioral health, agricultural economics, public transportation in rural areas, and economic development.
On Day 1, I make a pledge to the constituents of AD131 to:
- Work with school administrators at school districts who don’t have adequate numbers of school psychologists, social workers, and guidance counselors to secure funding to hire and retain mental health professionals in public schools that need the funding
- Ensure that there is funding to help finance public transportation systems and expansion initiatives in the AD131 region
- Work with community advocacy groups to keep ICE agents at bay and to protect immigrants who live, work, and visit the AD131 region from ICE invasions
- Provide information and resources about the Request For Proposals from the Office of Mental Health to bring at least one psychosocial clubhouse to the AD131 region
- Making sure that there are adequate and accessible commercial establishments for people to buy everyday goods and services
- Do an inventory of behavioral health facilities and programs in the area, identify gaps, and determine how to increase behavioral health supports in AD131, including peer support services, trainings, etc.
- Work with community advocates to close down toxic dumps and landfills and consider alternatives such as conservation, recycling, and composting to cut down on waste and trash in AD131
- Work with constituents to increase community engagement using tools like in-person appearances, email, social media, and video conferencing platforms
- Open at least two satellite constituency offices outside of the office that is located in Geneva NY
On November 3, 2026, vote for Phillip Fleming for NYS Assembly District 131.
