Richard Moody is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media representatives of Columbia and Greene counties in the state Senate are defining their legislative priorities as the second portion of the current Senate term begins and potential re-election looms. Republicans George Amedore Jr., who represents the 46th Senate District, and Kathy Marchione, of the 43rd Senate District, are both up for re-election in November. Amedore, who is in the second year of his second term, said he will be working to combat the opioid and heroin epidemic faced by both the state and the nation. “We can throw as much money as we want at the problem, but we need to establish and help localities maintain proactive and preventative measures,” said Amedore, who co-chairs the Joint Senate Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction. The state is also facing a possible $4.4 billion deficit in 2018-19, after years of Cuomo touting budget surpluses — something Amedore said needs to be addressed through economic development. Marchione said, “Going forward this session, my focus as senator is affordability, opportunity and security, and working to advance our Senate Republican Conference’s ‘Blueprint for a Stronger New York,’ our positive agenda to protect taxpayers, grow our economy, provide more good-paying jobs and help ensure the safety and security of all New Yorkers.” Marchione said. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.