Republican Assembly candidate John Byrne has shot back at Democratic opponent Addie Russell for her recent comments regarding efforts to bring videoconferencing for Workers’ Compensation claims to lawyer’s offices.

Byrne supports bill S4661 written by Sen. Patty Ritchie, to create a Workman’s Comp office in Canton so St. Lawrence County residents don’t have to travel to Saranac Lake or Watertown. He and Ogdensburg Attorney Preston Carlisle appeared together at a press conference in October where Russell was criticized for failing to support Ritchie’s bill.

Byrne and Russell are running in the 116th Assembly District, which includes all communities along the St. Lawrence Seaway in St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties, along with Potsdam and Canton.

Byrne questioned why Russell has only recently spoken up on the issue, now saying she’s working independently with the Workers’ Compensation Board to establish videoconferencing capabilities. Russell says St. Lawrence County would be in a pilot program where Workers' Comp cases would be heard right in the lawyer's office, via teleconference, according to WWNY-tv.

Byrne noted legislation in 2015, Senate Bill S6225, also sponsored by Ritchie and passed in the Senate but not in the Assembly, would have provided for the use of video conferencing technology to broadcast certain proceedings of the Workers' Compensation Board in St. Lawrence County.

“Ms. Russell once again had the opportunity to work across the aisle to accomplish something for the greater good of the North Country, but showed her true colors and put politics ahead of us,” said Byrne.

“My opponent is committed to doing what’s right for her first and everyone else is second. This is a sad attempt to try to claim she’s doing something when votes are at stake. We deserve better.”

Byrne continued, “I was shocked when I found out that Ms. Russell refused to work in a bipartisan manner and carry Sen. Ritchie’s legislation in the state Assembly.

“Had Ms. Russell done the right thing and sponsored this legislation in the Assembly, many lawmakers I spoke with were confident this would have been sent to the governor for his approval. This could already have become law if Ms. Russell hadn’t chosen to let politics get in the way. We would not need to have this conversation,” said Byrne.

Byrne has signaled his support for this legislation should he be elected to the state Assembly.

“I have committed my support for this legislation to Sen. Ritchie because she deserves to have a partner in the state Assembly who’s willing to work with her. This legislation would have saved time, resources and money for many in our community struggling to make ends meet,” he said.

Byrne is also running on the Conservative, Independence and Reform party lines in the Nov. 8 election.