Tom Reed (left) and Donald Trump
WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning, NY 23) says he doesn’t agree with recent statements made by President Donald Trump, suggesting Upstate New Yorkers move elsewhere for better job prospects and not worry about their homes. But, the corning Republican adds that he understands why the president said them.
On Monday Congressman Reed held his weekly conference call with regional media, and WRFA asked him his thoughts on the President’s comments in a Wall Street Journal article from last week, in which Trump called out residents from “Upper New York State,” saying they should move to areas like Wisconsin, Iowa and Colorado that are adding manufacturing jobs.
Reed said he obviously doesn’t share that sentiment, but adds that given the lack of economic growth in upstate New York the past few decades, he understands where the president is coming from.
“The president is saying there are great swaths of America that are falling behind because they just don’t have the jobs for their kids and grand kids to be able to have the opportunity to put food on their tables, roofs over their kids,, and clothes on their back, Reed said. “So I understand where the president is coming from. Obviously I will defend our area. I will fight for our area because I love it so much and I think it’s the best place to raise a family. But I think it’s recognition that there are parts of the country that struggling and Upstate/Western New York has experienced the ‘Rust Belt’ effect and we’ve seen it first hand.”
Congressman Reed went on to say that it’s been poor economic policy by the state that has led to the decline of quality jobs and the overall economy.
“You don’t lose four of five members of congress because New York State is doing well. You lose those populations because people don’t have the opportunity… and I think that’s what the president is tapping into,” Reed said.
Following last week’s article, political leaders from across upstate New York spoke out against Trump’s comments, including Oneida County Executive and Republican Anthony Picente Jr. who publicly said he was Disappointed that president from New York State would bash Upstate New York.
During the 2016 election, President Trump lost New York State to Democratic Rival Hillary Clinton. However, he won the vast majority of counties located in Upstate New York by a significant margin.
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