Interview: Senator Mark Walczyk makes debut appearance on North Country News; talks concerns of overspending in the budget

ALBANY, NY- Things were shaken up last fall across New York for state and federal representation with the re-redistricting process.

Here locally, there were some noticeable changes, including the 49th Senate District. For quite a stretch of time, Lewis County was represented by Senator Joseph Griffo (R,C-Rome).

But his district has become more focused in the lower end of our listening area. Taking over the helm is Senator Mark Walczyk (R-Watertown).

He joins the Senate after previously serving constituents as an Assemblyman. "I look forward to representing the county after everything shook out this season," he told us.

Senator Walczyk made his debut on-air appearance Tuesday for North Country News. He has high hopes for tackling and confronting some important issues, including bail reform. But right now amidst Governor Hochul's proposed Fiscal Year 2024 State Budget, the Senator says overspending is a main concern of his. 

"There's no question that the policies that we put forward in Albany right now with one party rule are devastating, especially in Upstate New York," the Senator added.

"And we continue, and Kathy Hochul is leading the charge right now, continue to spend way beyond our means." Listen to Walczyk's Moose debut on-air coverage here:

Walczyk says the past couple of budget years were "fluffed up" a bit with federal COVID funding, but that money is no longer available. The Senator criticized the state budget for not sizing back down to a pre-pandemic level. 

Meanwhile, Senator Walczyk did comment with positive notes regarding the budget. We will share that segment, with his remarks, sometime soon here on North Country News. 

Mark graduated from the University of Albany and began a career in public service with a focus on statewide policy and desire to improve life for residents of Upstate New York.

Mark joined the staff of state Senator Patty Ritchie in 2011 where his passion for constituent services first emerged.

In 2015, Mark was elected to the Watertown City Council, a nonpartisan council.

As an assemblyman, Mark has helped to cultivate an environment for job creation in Northern New York.

He has proven to be committed to investing in aging infrastructure all while protecting our precious rivers and lakes.

He remains a strong proponent of policy that empowers teachers and gives students the opportunity to be successful in job preparation training at the secondary and collegiate levels.

Image via the office of New York State Senator Mark Walczyk.