Paul Szmal: FLX Morning continues, it is 8.39, we've got sunny skies, it's 62, and we are joined by the assemblyman from the 120th district, that would be Brian Mangtolo, one of our regular guests here on FLX Morning. Assemblyman, good morning, how are you this morning, sir?
Brian Manktelow: I'm doing well, Paul, and good morning to you and your listeners.
Paul Szmal: What have you been up to recently? I know you're probably enjoying the fact that you actually get to spend time in the district this time of year.
Brian Manktelow: Yeah, absolutely, as we get wrapped up from finishing up Albany business here at the end of June, now we're in through July now, hard to believe it's already August, and I'm looking forward to spending some time with our businesses, our property owners, our residents, it's really a great time to get out there and see the public.
Paul Szmal: And what are some of the things that your constituents have been talking to you about of late that are important to them?
Brian Manktelow: Well, Paul, one of the things that we failed to do in the state budget this year was for the last couple of years, the governor had pushed for some funding in there to help families with daycare costs. We wanted to get people back to work, there's a lot of jobs out there that aren't being filled, so in the past few years, there was funding in there that was funneled through our Department of Social Services within all of our counties. Well, that funding was stopped this year and was not in the budget. And we are working with the governor's office right now to see if we can get some changes there. And the thing I tell the people that call our office, Paul, is look, the state budget is very complicated, and unfortunately, there's a lot of things that aren't right within the state budget. And one thing that I feel very strongly about, Paul, is we have now in New York State a thing called public campaign finance. And that's where taxpayers fund funding for individuals, whether it's the governor, assembly, senate, to run campaigns. And I don't agree with that, I don't take any of that money, I think that's wrong. We're going to fund public campaigns when we should be funding things through our DSS to help these families with their daycare, and that's the one thing I'm going to push with the governor's office.
Paul Szmal: I'm a little surprised that this DSS funding didn't make it into the budget considering it's been in the last couple of go-rounds. That doesn't sound like something that would be the governor's MO.
Brian Manktelow: Yeah, there was a lot of pushback from the assembly, and I believe the senate probably would have done the same. Speaking to the chair, have a seat, him and I had multiple conversations, he's a majority member, about getting that funding in there. I know he's trying, I'm trying. It just doesn't make sense when we're going to fund something like public finance for our campaigns, but yet we can't fund things that are really, really crucial to families that need this funding. And a lot of families have single parents now, and they want to work, but unfortunately if this funding's not put back in there, or we can't come up with a solution, then these people are going to go again back on unemployment, unfortunately.
Paul Szmal: How do you wind up trying to put something back in after it doesn't make the budget? That sounds like it might be a tricky process.
Brian Manktelow: It could be, Paul, I know the governor's got some cushion money out there that she could funnel one way or another. Or we could go back to Albany and make a change to the budget. This is affecting everyone across the state, from our Finger Lakes area to the western part to New York City, Long Island, and it's something that we want to push. Something that's good, something that comes out of it that's really good for these families. But again, we just can't seem to come to a consensus that the way we spend money.
Paul Szmal: Is this one of those issues where there may be a rare amount of bipartisan support?
Brian Manktelow: Oh yeah, absolutely is, Paul, across the board. Like I said, no matter what part of New York State you're in, Paul, I'm sure all the members of the Assembly, and I'm sure the Senate, is getting the same phone calls and emails that we're getting. I actually did have a phone meeting this morning at 930 with one of the constituents about this, and I've talked to our local DSSs around here, Monroe County, Wayne County, and the parts that I represent, and they just don't have the funding to make this gap. And that's our job, and that's what we're trying to do.
Paul Szmal: We're talking with Assemblyman Brian Mantelow here on FLX Morning, and one of the other things I know that you're getting ready for are some town hall meetings.
Brian Manktelow: Yeah, as we get through the summer, probably starting first part of September, Paul, you know, people will be done with their summer vacations, and people are wrapping back up, schools back in. And I think it's so important that I make myself accessible across the district and setting up times where people can just come and talk to me, sit across the table, tell me what's important to them. And I need to hear that because, you know, we talk about representing the people within our district. Well, how can we represent when I don't talk to them? I don't get to see them firsthand, and I always strive to do that, whether it's something like this, going to the county fair, going to all these different events. That's the reason we're there. That's the reason I'm there, because I need to hear from the people I represent and what's important to them.
Paul Szmal: And speaking of county fairs, of course, your home county's fair in the heart of your district, the Wayne County Fair is happening this week in Palmyra.
Brian Manktelow: That is correct, Paul. Actually, today at one o'clock is the opening ceremonies at the fairgrounds. I'll be there. And I'm looking forward to it. It's an extended day, so it'll be a full seven days this year. They've moved the parade back to Saturday nights instead of Friday nights. And I just love going because I get to meet a lot of people, but more so to see the young people there, the children with the goats and the rabbits and the chickens and the cows. I mean, that's what it's all about. It's an egg fair and really looking forward to that. And I believe you're going to be there too as well, correct?
Paul Szmal: Yeah, I'm going to be there on Friday night. So maybe you and I will have a chance to meet up and say hello.
Brian Manktelow: That would be awesome. It's my understanding, too, that the governor might be there this afternoon at about five o'clock. So I'll probably try to be around there if I can. It's short notice, of course. So I think it's important that I'll be there as well.
Paul Szmal: That's a surprise to me. I would not expect, wouldn't expect Governor Hochul to come for a county fair opening like that. But then again, if there's an opportunity for PR, I totally understand.
Brian Manktelow: Yeah. We did not get that information from her office. We got that from some of the members at the fair that she was going to be there around five o'clock this afternoon. I spoke with Senator Humm as well about that because we try to work together as a team. And well, we'll see if we can be there. We have tight schedules. I know the senator does. I know I do. But we'll see if we can wiggle some time out to get there because I think it's important that, you know, we're there. Hopefully we can make that happen.
Paul Szmal: Yeah, absolutely. I haven't had a chance to ask you about this before, or maybe it's been a while since we've talked about it. But how long have you been an assemblyman now?
Brian Manktelow: So I'm on my seventh year, Paul, and next year will be my eighth year already.
Paul Szmal: Oh, wow. What got you into this in the first place?
Brian Manktelow: Into the assembly or just in general in politics?
Paul Szmal: Well, let's start with the politics in general.
Brian Manktelow: Well, it started many years ago when I had my farm business going full bore, Paul, and we had a big operation. And I saw how local politics played into a part of my business with land values and what we were doing from the ag side. So I thought it was important to get in after I had gotten out of the military. So it's important to serve. And I just kind of did that, started as a town councilman and supervisor for nine years, county legislator at the same time. And then Bob Oakes called me one Friday night and asked if I would consider running because he was going to step down. And I said, give me a day or so to think about it. And we did. And that's the way we went. And here we are.
Paul Szmal: So that is a pretty, it sounds like a pretty rapid, rapid curve in political terms to get to where you are now.
Brian Manktelow: It is. But, you know, I've been very blessed, Paul, with my background from the ag side, from, you know, local politics, county politics, families, you know, coaching indoor soccer at the community center and knowing what young people want. I have such a diverse background. It really serves me very well in the assembly. I bring a lot to the table, not to pat myself on the back, but the more things we have like that, the better chances we have of making changes to bills or laws. And that's really why we do it. And I think, you know, and I know I'm a strong believer of term limits. This is not a career. I'm not supposed to be there for 20 some years, getting paid for 20 some years. I believe in term limits. You work hard, you do your job, and then you let somebody else do it.
Paul Szmal: And what is the plan for you after you complete your service as an assemblyman? Any desires to move up to a higher level than state government or?
Brian Manktelow: I really don't know. I think wherever the Lord pushes me, Paul, I'll go. I know one thing that's on my heart near and dear is our veterans and, you know, being involved in their lives, if I ever did step down from this and move forward, that's big and dear to my heart as well as just service. I enjoy helping people. I think that's why I do this. But at the same time, as I said, it's not a career and you need to let other people do it as well.
Paul Szmal: So as you look forward to going back to Albany at the turn of the new year, what's on the priority list for you?
Brian Manktelow: I think probably once we get back there, of course, it'll be an election year. So the way Albany works is we'll probably have a few less controversial bills coming through, much like this year we had the medical aid in dying that finally went through. We've had some other tougher bills this past year. I think we'll see a little less of that. But I think getting back to the dollars and cents of Albany, and to be honest with you, I think I shouldn't say that. I don't like that saying. To share with you, making sure that we're trying to cut the budget, making sure we cut costs where we can, and that's always my push, is making sure that we keep dollars in our people's pocket back home, not in Albany, because Albany's not the place it should go.
Paul Szmal: Very well said. And as always, it is a pleasure to talk to you, Assemblyman. Thank you so much. And hopefully you and I will get a chance to meet up on Friday at the Wayne County Fair. I will make it a point to come look you up, and I'm looking forward to seeing you there.
Brian Manktelow: And I hope you have a great time, and I hope everybody going to the fair has a fun time as well.
Paul Szmal: Yeah, I'm definitely going to have a fun time this year. I'm not milking a goat this year, but I'm still going to have fun.
Brian Manktelow: Yeah, I think I'm going to milk, or try to milk the goat again, see if I can come up with some better techniques, though, that's for sure. You know, you need to ask that Lonsbury guy, because he seems to be pretty darn good at it if he's doing it.
Paul Szmal: Oh, really? Okay, I'm going to have to give Bob a call and see if he can give me some pointers.
Brian Manktelow: Yeah, there you go.
