Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski in Salamanca on Tuesday night.

SALAMANCA – Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski met with constituents during his first town hall of 2026 in the city of Salamanca Municipal Building Tuesday night.

“We had a great discussion and I want to thank everyone who made the time to come to the town hall and share their concerns and advice with me and give me an opportunity to talk about what I’m doing in Albany as their voice in the Assembly,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said. “I also want to thank Salamanca Mayor Sandy Magiera for opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and for hosting us.”

Topics included Gov. Kathy Hochul’s over-the-top $260 billion state budget proposal, the failure of cashless “bail” reform, the push for all-renewal, all-electric energy that’s driving up energy costs and the need for the Hochul administration to negotiate a new gaming compact with the Seneca Nation that protects the interest of host communities like Salamanca and the those of the Seneca Nation.

“Salamanca is unique and I’m very proud to represent the people of Salamanca in the New York State Assembly. I don’t work for anyone in Albany. I work for the people of Salamanca and everyone in the 148th Assembly District,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said. “It’s my job to fight for their interests and make sure their concerns are heard in the halls of power in Albany.”

Sempolinski said holding town halls and meeting with constituents around the district helps him when he’s debating bills in Albany.

“This is about transparency and accountability. In America, the people are sovereign, they are in charge. So, it’s critically important for me to hear what the folks I represent think to make sure I am representing them with fidelity,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said.

Voters sent Assemblyman Sempolinski to Albany in 2025. A lifelong resident of the Southern Tier, Assemblyman Sempolinski was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 23rd Congressional District. Assemblyman Sempolinski was also district director for former U.S. Rep. Tom Reed and was development director for Archbishop Walsh Academy in Olean.

He is the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Mental Health and a member of the Assembly Education, Environmental Conservation, Higher Education, Labor and People with Disabilities committees. He and his wife Angie have two daughters, Joselyn and Madelyn.

Sempolinski represents the 148th New York Assembly District, which consists of all of Cattaraugus and Allegany counties and portions of Steuben County. For more information, visit Assemblyman Sempolinski’s website.