Paul Tonko
Paul Tonko has spent his career putting idealism into practice. He represents New York’s 20th Congressional District, a post he’s held since 2009. Before that, the 69-year-old Democrat represented the 105th District in the New York Assembly, from 1983 to 2007. (Between his posts in the State Assembly and declaring his candidacy for U.S. Congress, Rep. Tonko was president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.)
Idealism, of course, is an immaterial, mental construct and can appear in many guises, but Rep. Tonko’s is sprawling and inclusive, yet highly specific and laser focused.
Rep. Tonko’s signature brand of idealism was blended on his grandparents’ Florida dairy farm and refined by the audacious visions of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. that enraptured him as a boy. Since graduating with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering (Clarkson University, class of 1971), Rep. Tonko has endeavored to use his rigorous, fact-based approach to policymaking to promote science and help the underdog in society.
Edible Capital District sat down with Rep. Tonko in his Albany office on Dove Street, a comfortable, classically appointed space (leather couches, recessed lighting), replete with visual signifiers of Rep. Tonko’s love of country (American flags), the region (photos and paintings) and civics (vintage political posters).
Edible Capital District: I understand that you are a lifelong resident of Amsterdam and that your grandparents were dairy farmers. Can you share any early memories you have from your time at the farm?
Rep. Tonko: Baling and stacking hay is a big one. I did that through school, and even up to when I started serving in the Assembly. The hay-baling season requires a lot of work in a short time, and it taught me how to work with and respect the environment, and of course, it helped me develop a strong work ethic. I also learned a lot just being around the cattle and witnessing the amount of work that goes into a dairy farm. I know personally, and respect, the strong effort required, the sweat and toil that goes into putting food on our tables.
ECD: How has the 20th Congressional District—which you represent—changed in the time since you were a child?
Rep. Tonko: It’s changed a lot in some ways. Amsterdam used to be a mill town, heavily concentrated in the carpet industry. Located right along the Erie Canal, our waterways were used for freight and production. Growing up, I remember playing in and near the Schoharie Creek—which flows to the Mohawk River and is part of the Hudson River’s drainage system—and noticing the different color variations in the water, resulting from pollution from various industrial manufacturers. Of course, that work eventually moved south and then off shore. Th ankfully, we are entering a new era of high-precision, high-tech manufacturing here. And at the same time, we have become much more aware of the need to protect the environment. I am working to incorporate an agenda that will both allow us to create manufacturing jobs and respect the environment here in the Capital District.
ECD: Which of your favorite childhood landmarks remain?
Rep. Tonko: Russo’s was a landmark even when I was a kid [editor’s note: it was opened in 1920], and it is still one my favorite places to get great, classic Italian food. Some are actually physical buildings, like the Wilbur H. Lynch High School I went to, now a middle school. It was built in 1930, and the grandness, appeal and rock solid nature of the structure still speaks to the value placed then on infrastructure and education. Th is reverence for education still speaks to many of us today and inspires me and others in our community to continue investing in our children, because they are our country’s future. No one has to talk about making America great. Just look at the greatness we built, and let us maintain it.
ECD: In the New York Assembly from 1983 to 2007, you were a member or a chairman of several committees, including the Committee on Energy and committees on agriculture, transportation and education. Can you tell us about some of the work you’ve accomplished in the agricultural sector?
Rep. Tonko: I held the chairmanship on the Committee on Energy, the others I was a member of the task force. One of the very first things I got involved with was the bill to enforce prompt payment to farmers in 1992. There was pushback, but once we began to discuss the nutritional value of dairy products and talk about the economic crisis many farmers who just weren’t getting paid were going through— and explained the ripple eff ect it could have on other districts in the state—it passed. The bill provided stability and certainty. I’m also very proud of the policies put in place to make farmers more energy effi cient. Energy is a commodity, and it affects us all. Our programs, which included retrofitting and saving historic barns and installing anaerobic digesters, have helped save farmers money on their bills. It’s more ecologically sound and it makes for happier cows. Happy cows deliver more milk, and that makes everyone happy.
ECD: The Northeast Dairy Compact is a piece of inside-baseball legislation that has had an enormous effect on agriculture, farming and land stewardship. Can you share some of the effects it’s had?
Rep. Tonko: The Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact was an agreement among six states in New England to help ensure dairy farmers got a fair price for the milk. It opened up membership to New York and other Northeastern states. It served as the first link in a chain from farmer to retailer to market. If farmers’ work isn’t respected, the rural economy falls apart. [Editor’s note: while the dairy compact expired in 2001, it was replaced with the Milk Income Loss Contract in 2002, which aims to accomplish the same ends.]
ECD: You’ve also spoken out about the dangers of chlorpyrifos. Can you tell me about your concerns?
Rep. Tonko: It’s a pesticide that can cause developmental disability and can be dangerous to farmers, according to multiple scientific studies. President Trump, via the EPA, allowed for its continued use last year, despite the overwhelming evidence of its danger. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, meanwhile, ruled that there was no justification for the EPA’s decision and moved forward with the ban. He wants to talk about fake news? Let’s talk about fake facts.
ECD: You joined the U.S. House of Representatives in 2009 [elected in 2008]. You’ve been called one of the most liberal House members; do you wear that with pride or dispute the characterization?
Rep. Tonko: I don’t pay attention to labels. I vote for what’s good for our state and our nation. My goal is to strengthen both the individual and the family, and fight for social justice.
ECD: What’s on the horizon for the 20th District? The state? The country?
Rep. Tonko: We are in the midst of an innovation economy here. Our region is one of the top-five centers of green collar work in the country; I see a good balance of jobs in agriculture, the environment and innovation continuing to pour in. I see continued sustainable economic growth, underpinned by policies. Just yesterday, I visited Tommell Farm in Berne making carbonated water that is a by-product of the maple industry. It was delicious and, more importantly, it demonstrated the kind of innovative, resourceful thinking our region is becoming known for. My hope is that with the energy and tech firms in the region, we can continue to use fact-based research to tackle issues like climate change. Even if you—unlike 97% of the world’s scientists—don’t believe that humans are the cause of climate change, I think we can all agree that it’s an honorable mission to make our air safer to breathe, our soil safer to grow food in and our water safer to drink.
Five Rapid Fire
Breakfast today?
Orange juice.
Favorite childhood meal?
Oh, that’s a tough one because I grew up as part of an ethnic patchwork. It’s a tie between spaghetti and meatballs and pierogies.
Cake, pie or cookies?
Pie. Any fruit pie. Nothing with custard. Peach, strawberry, citrus. I could go on. A great raspberry crumb?
Guilty indulgence?
Ice cream.
Late-night snack?
Popcorn or ice cream. Ice cream. I’m the grandson of dairy farmers.
Paul Tonko | @reppaultonko
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Russo’s
The Northeast Dairy Compact
