HEUVELTON -- Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, told seniors in the economics classes at Heuvelton Central High School that her experiences as a student played a major role in shaping her priorities as a state lawmaker.

"Education sets the stage for what options you have in the future, and life is about having options. That's why education funding for our schools is a major focus for me," Assemblywoman Russell explained.

She said she benefitted from challenging academic classes and had the opportunity to interact with a diverse student population, including the sons and daughters of soldiers at Fort Drum that had lived in various posts around the world before moving to Jefferson County.

The visit stemmed from correspondence she received from senior Miranda Donnelly asking her about her position on the legalization of marijuana.

Teacher Margaret Whalen had given her Participation in Government classes a public policy project asking each student to contact a public official and ask their position on an issue.

Assemblywoman Russell, after receiving the correspondence, offered to visit the school to discuss public policy with Ms. Donnelly and her classmates.

Whalen said she quickly accepted the offer, and was “excited about the opportunity. It is so important for the students to be exposed to elected officials,” she said, noting she was also pleased that Assemblywoman Russell walked the students through the budget process during her visit.

Assemblywoman Russell noted she has an opportunity to advocate for the needs of the North County during the budget process as a member of the majority party in the New York State Assembly.

She walked the students through the budget process, noting the governor's staff starts building the spending plan in October, and the governor unveils his spending proposal in January.

Lawmakers in the state Senate and state Assembly review that proposal and spend the next three months working on their one house spending plans before legislative leaders and the governor negotiate a budget that is brought back to the two legislative bodies for approval.

She said one of her priorities during the budget process is making sure there is funding designed to help stimulate the economy, ranging from incentives aimed at assisting businesses stay in the North Country to incentives aimed at attracting new businesses to the region.

"We fund environmental projects and road and bridge work. We put a ton of money into roads and bridges this year.. I fought to make sure those new dollars came down to bridge and road work for villages and towns as well, not just projects for road and bridge repairs on state highways," she said.

Assemblywoman Russell said her critics sometimes question her ability to represent the North Country since many of the members of her party represent Assembly Districts in New York City.

She said as an assemblywoman from rural New York she has ability to fight for the region's needs in that conference. Assemblywoman Russell also brought Speaker Carl Heastie to the North Country after he took over the top post in the state Assembly.

"Many of our members in the majority are from New York City, but there are a few of us represent rural parts of upstate New York. My critics like to say I only do what the leaders from New York City want, but they forget my district and other Assembly Districts in the North Country have many similarities to districts in New York City when it comes to economic challenges.

"We both have a high percentage of low-wealth, high needs schools so aid to education is important to us. Even our middle class is poor compared to middle class wages in other parts of the state. We have high teenage pregnancy rates and poor health outcomes. We don't have the opportunities that are available in other areas of the state," Assemblywoman Russell said.

"Poverty is poverty whether you are in New York City or Buffalo or Heuvelton. We want to make sure people have access to health care, stick up to make sure our community colleges and SUNY schools are funded appropriately and pump money into our schools to provide our students with the education they need to get out of poverty said," Assemblywoman Russell said, noting those are concerns she shares with her colleagues from New York City in the majority conference.

Assemblywoman Russell also had a lively exchange with the students about the recent decision to increase the minimum wage. Some students expressed concern the minimum wage increase could harm the economy and cost them their minimum wage jobs.

The assemblywoman said she feels the increase in the minimum wage will actually stimulate the economy, particularly in rural areas like the North Country.

When the minimum wage increases to $12.50 per hour over the next few years, she said earners likely won't be putting those higher wages into savings accounts.

"Every penny will be spent in our communities, spent on necessities that create cash flow in all our communities. In fact, that money could help some people get out of the cycle of poverty," Assemblywoman Russell said.

She pointed out the buying power of the minimum wage will still be lower than it was in the late 1960s.

"We are playing catch up. Most minimum wage earners in our state are single women with children. Keeping our minimum wage low means we need to assist those families with food, fuel, health care, child care and rent. That means you, the taxpayers, are subsidizing businesses. Property taxes could actually go down if minimum wage earners need to rely less on the safety net programs," Assemblywoman Russell suggested.

She pledged to continue to fight for the North Country in the future to make sure North Country residents, including the Heuvelton students, have options so they can succeed in life.

She encouraged students to make good decisions, but she acknowledged many may face challenges in their future.

"It is never too late to get back on the right path. Even if you make a mistake, you have to move on. Deal with the consequences and move forward," she urged the students.

Assemblywoman Russell said she will continue to work on and support legislation that can help mitigate problems and provide additional opportunities for residents of her Assembly District and the state.