Richard Moody in Columbia-Greene Media reports that Greene and Rensselaer counties, and parts of Columbia County, are unrepresented in the New York State Assembly as lawmakers decide on a state budget and pass new laws. Pete Lopez resigned from his District 102 seat in September to become director of federal Environmental Protection Agency Region 2. Steve McLaughlin represented Assembly District 107 in parts of Columbia County and all of Rensselaer County until he was elected Rensselaer County Executive in November and and started his job in January. Gov. Andrew Cuomo could have called special elections Jan. 1, but whenever he calls the elections, they cannot take place until 70 days after that announcement. “We are hoping that the governor will call special elections because Assembly seats 102 and 107 are empty,” said Congressional District 19 Indivisible co-founder Pamela Kline. “It is important that the elections take place before the budget vote because that will enable people living in those districts to have a voice in the making of the budget. Otherwise, they will have no input or representation.” The budget is due April 1, so it is already too late for citizens in Greene, Rensselaer, and parts of Columbia County to have any say in the process in the Assembly. In all, there are nine Assembly seats and two Senate seats districts without representation, and the two Senate seats could swing control of the chamber. Read the full story at HudsonValley360.com.