Tenney holds roundtable discussion in Herkimer County

Aug. 03--HERKIMER -- U. S. Rep. Claudia Tenney met with Herkimer County leaders Wednesday for a roundtable discussion about the issues that affect them.

Tenney, R-New Hartford, said she wanted to do the visit to "understand where we are in the county and what the needs are."

"What can I do as an advocate to help? I want to know what you guys are feeling," she said during the meeting at the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce.

More than a dozen Herkimer County leaders attended the meeting, with a bulk of the discussion being dedicated to the national health care issue and the recently failed attempt by Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare.

"We're trying to come up with solutions ... we have to figure out health care at some point. It is hurting our small businesses," said Tenney.

There was also discussion about Medicaid and the burden it leaves on the county and small businesses.

"The Medicaid system was created for the poor, but now it's so expansive," Tenney said. "It's huge ... It has to be phased out or you're going to leave people on the street."

Richard Dowe, executive director of the Herkimer Housing Authority, brought up an issue he has seen throughout his time with the housing authority. He asked about the possibility of limiting the amount of time individuals can live in public housing, as a "stepping stone."

"I see some third generations living in public housing in Herkimer and I know it's like that throughout the country," he said.

Tenney said during a roundtable meeting on Tuesday in Oneida County, she said one employer said they wanted to appeal more to those living in the inner city who are available to work, but needed help with reaching out to them.

"Some people want to work, but they don't know the habit," she said.

Tenney started the discussion by saying it was an "exciting" week as they launched their #Renew22 initiative. A sign at the meeting promoting this initiative listed the following goals: Restoring economic opportunity, reforming the tax code, revitalizing the agriculture sector, reinvesting in infrastructure and rebuilding communities.

Before attending the discussion on Wednesday, Tenney did a tour of the Feldmeier Equipment facility in Little Falls, and held a town hall with employees to discuss the questions they have regarding the work being done in Washington to help businesses grow.

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