Issue Position: About Steve

Issue Position

In contrast to many of the career politicians that populate the New York State Assembly, Steve brings a unique perspective to the debate in Albany -- that of a small business owner. As former owner and operator of Hawley Farms, and owner of Stephen M. Hawley & Assoc., LLC, a property/casualty insurance agency, for over 35 years, Steve knows what it takes to create good paying jobs and operate a successful small business.

Steve also knows how difficult it is to run a successful business in New York State. For decades career politicians have continually introduced anti-job and anti-business legislation resulting in higher taxes, more intrusive government regulation, and out of control government spending. These policies have hindered the economy in New York State forcing future generations out of state in search of opportunity.

Steve knows that the key to New York's economic revival is to let the free market do its job. In order to save New York State, we must return to the principles of capitalism upon which our nation was founded.

Committed to his community, Hawley comes to Albany with a long history of public and charitable service. He served on the Genesee County Legislature, the Board of Directors of the Genesee Community College Foundation, Genesee Center for Independent Living, Genesee County Planning Board and Genesee Valley BOCES Board of Education. Hawley also served on the Board of Directors of the Genesee Area YMCA, United Way, as President of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County and President of the Genesee County Farm Bureau. He is a member of the Batavia Rotary Club, American Legion Glenn J. Loomis Post 332 and a life member of the Stafford Volunteer Fire Department. He also is a member of the St. James Episcopal Church in Batavia.

He authors legislation that would assist the agricultural industry including exempting owners of farms and multiple dwellings from the Scaffold Law, establishing the Agricultural Assistance Program and extending the eligibility of the agricultural property tax credit. He has legislation that would enact a 90 day residency requirement for recipients of public assistance and a bill to repeal the Utility Tax 18(a).

Assemblyman Hawley is committed to veterans and their families. He has served 12 out of his 14 years as a member of the Assembly Veterans' Affairs Committee and has sponsored meaningful legislation that will aid veterans and current service personnel. His commitment is further evidenced by the various local veterans' events he attends and hosting his annual Patriot Trip to Washington D.C.

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