Kurt VanWuyckhuyse
PEOPLE over profit.

No corporate PACs. No special interests. 
Just a working-class voice fighting for the neighbors of District 134.

 

About Kurt

I’m not a career politician. My roots in this community run deep. Growing up in Hamlin and attending Hilton schools means I was raised right here in District 134.

Today, I serve as the General Manager of Chip's Auto, a family-owned business down the road. For years, I’ve had the privilege of serving neighbors from Parma, Hilton, and across our region, learning that real leadership means listening to customers, solving problems, and staying within a budget.

But the connection to this district is more than just history. As a renter in Greece since 2007, the anxiety of rising costs and housing insecurity isn't just a talking point—it's a daily reality. This campaign is about bringing that practical, working-class perspective to Albany.



My commitment to our neighbors isn't theoretical—it comes from real life. I didn't grow up with a silver spoon; I grew up learning how to survive. I’ve lived through the silent battles of complex family trauma, navigated the terrifying uncertainty of my brother’s cancer diagnosis, and walked the painful journey of a sister battling addiction. I know what it feels like when the system fails to catch you, and I know the grit it takes to keep going. I am running to ensure that when families in District 134 face their darkest moments—whether mental, physical, or financial—they have a community and a government that has their back.

I believe you shouldn't have to fit a mold to run for office. I believe in 'what you see is what you get.'

I’ve built my life alongside my partner of six years. I come from a big, close-knit family, so while we don't have children of our own, I take my title as 'Uncle Kurt' very seriously—spoiling my three nieces and three nephews is a top priority.

Music is a huge part of my life. You’ll frequently find me at concerts, usually catching an emo or pop-punk set, though my playlist spans everything from indie to R&B. I’ve also been a fixture in the Kickball League of Rochester since 2009, where I've met some of my closest friends.

I am a proud nerd who shamelessly collects Pokémon cards, and I use that passion to participate in the annual 'Extra Life' fundraiser, streaming video games to raise money for Golisano Children's Hospital. And while I don't have pets of my own right now, I live vicariously through others—meaning I have a strict policy of making friends with every animal I meet.

On The Issues

Our economy should work for the people who build it. As a General Manager, I know small businesses thrive when workers have money in their pockets. Instead of prioritizing corporate profits, we need to focus on living wages and ensuring our local businesses can compete with big corporate monopolies.

The Reality:
In Monroe County, 29% of households live below the ALICE threshold—meaning they are employed but still cannot afford the basic cost of living. For residents aged 25–44, that number spikes to 42%.

My Plan:
  • Support Local: Redirect state grants away from corporate handouts and toward small businesses in Greece, Ogden, and Parma that hire local workers.
  • Living Wages: Support indexing the minimum wage to inflation so workers’ buying power doesn't vanish every year.
  • Strengthen Labor: Protect the right to organize. Strong unions built the middle class in District 134, and they are the key to rebuilding it.
Our seniors built this community and deserve to retire here with dignity. The cost of care shouldn't force families into bankruptcy. We must direct state funding toward home-based services and tax credits for family caregivers, prioritizing care over profit.

The Reality: 
A nursing home in our region can cost over $14,000 a month (~$170,000/year). In-home care costs 70% less. Helping seniors "age in place" isn't just the right thing to do—it saves taxpayers millions.

My Plan:
  • Pass the Caregiver Tax Credit: I support a refundable state tax credit of up to $6,000 for families who care for an elderly relative.
  • Fair Pay for Care: Fight for fair wages for home care workers to ensure a stable, high-quality workforce for our seniors.
  • The "Age in Place" Initiative: Shift state funding toward home modifications (ramps, accessibility) and visiting aides so seniors can stay in their own living rooms, not institutions.
  • End the Savings Penalty: Raise the income eligibility cap for state assistance so middle-class seniors don’t have to "spend down" their life savings to poverty levels just to get help.
We take pride in the independent school districts that anchor our towns. I will oppose budget cuts that hurt our students and teachers. We need to ensure that every school across Greece, Ogden, and Parma receives the full state funding it is owed, so that every child has the same opportunity to succeed, no matter which district line they live within.

The Reality: 
Districts like Greece Central and Hilton face a crisis where special education costs have skyrocketed (up 42% in Greece since 2019), but state funding formulas haven't kept up.

My Plan:
  • Update Foundation Aid: Modernize the funding formula to reflect the real cost of special education and mental health support.
  • Stop the "Take-Backs": Oppose any budget that eliminates "Hold Harmless" provisions for suburban districts.
  • Vocational Training: Increase funding for BOCES to significantly expand vocational training programs, such as automotive technology, electrical work, and HVAC, ensuring they are equipped with modern, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
This is personal. Having navigated my brother’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent battle, and a sister’s struggle with addiction, I know our healthcare system leaves too many families behind. I will fight for universal access to quality care and robust funding for mental health and addiction recovery services, because no one should face a crisis alone.

The Reality:
While overdose deaths dropped in 2024, we still lost nearly 300 neighbors in Monroe County. Fentanyl is present in 72% of deaths, and detox waiting lists are too long.

My Plan:
  • Universal Access: Support the New York Health Act—healthcare is a right, not a privilege.
  • On-Demand Treatment: Fund "beds, not bureaucracy." Ensure immediate access to detox beds without week-long waits.
  • Support the Workers: Subsidize wages for addiction counselors and social workers to solve the staffing shortage.
Whether you rent or own, you deserve a community you can afford to stay in. As a renter, I know the sting of rising costs firsthand, but I also see how high property taxes burden our homeowners and seniors. Stability is the foundation of a strong neighborhood. We must protect tenants from price gouging while ensuring homeowners aren't priced out by rising costs.

The Reality:
Rents have risen nearly 5% in the last year, with averages over $1,500/month. Meanwhile, seniors see property taxes eating up their fixed incomes.

My Plan:
  • Good Cause Eviction: Protect tenants from unfair evictions and predatory rent hikes.
  • Expand STAR: Increase the STAR property tax exemption to protect seniors from rising assessments.
  • First-Time Buyer Help: Increase funding for SONYMA programs to help local families afford down payments.
From the Erie Canal in Ogden and Greece to the shores of Lake Ontario in Greece and Parma, our waterways are the lifeblood of our community. We must take action to stop flooding and keep our parks pristine, while holding utility monopolies accountable for rising costs.

The Reality: 
Lake Ontario operates on a 20-year flood cycle. Many infrastructure projects promised after the 2017/2019 floods are still underfunded. Meanwhile, families face unpredictable utility bills.

My Plan:
  • Energy Democracy: Hold utility monopolies accountable for rising rates and support the transition to affordable, green energy in line with the NY HEAT Act.
  • Shoreline Resiliency: Secure infrastructure funds for breakwalls and storm sewers in Greece and Parma.
  • Canal Tourism: Invest in the Erie Canalway Trail (Spencerport to Henpeck Park) to boost local tourism revenue.
  • Clean Water: Hold polluters accountable to protect the water quality of Lake Ontario and local creeks.
District 134 deserves a representative who answers to neighbors, not corporate PACs or special interests. I am committed to full transparency, campaign finance reform, and being a legislator who is actually present and accountable to the community.

The Reality: 
The "LLC Loophole" allows corporations to bypass donation limits and funnel unlimited money into Albany, drowning out working voices.

My Plan:
  • Close the LLC Loophole: Treat LLCs as corporations to strictly limit their influence.
  • Public Financing: I participate in the clean election system so my vote belongs to you, not lobbyists.
  • Open Door Policy: I will hold monthly town halls in Greece, Ogden, and Parma.

Endorsements

Get Involved

I can't win this without you!

This campaign isn't powered by corporate PACs or special interests—it's powered by neighbors talking to neighbors in Greece, Ogden, and Parma. Whether you have two hours to knock on doors or just enough space in your yard for a sign, every bit of help brings us closer to a government that actually works for us.

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Neighbors, Not Corporations.
We participate in Clean Elections, meaning we answer to neighbors, not special interests. Chip in to fuel the movement.