Joining the show today is former New York State Assemblyman and former State Senator Greg Ball. Ball represented the towns in our newspaper coverage area, Mahopac, Somers, Yorktown, North Salem, Katonah, Lewisboro, and other surrounding towns, from 2007 to 2014, before moving to Fredericksburg, Texas and embracing family life on the farm. Today he speaks with host Brett Freeman about his time in politics, where his journey has taken him since leaving New York State, and how entrepreneurship has pushed him to grow. He shares his appreciation for small business owners, offers his perspective on the difference between doing business in Texas versus New York State, and tells Freeman about his farm and upcoming winery. You’ll also hear Ball’s opinions regarding our country’s handling of COVID, the current political and racial divisions in America, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s recent resignation, as well as illegal immigration. Finally, Ball details his decision to leave politics behind him and concludes with his plans for the future.

Episode Highlights:

• Today’s guest is former New York State Assemblyman and former State Senator Greg Ball
• Ball represented the 40th Senate District, comprised of all of Putnam County, northern Westchester County, and eastern Dutchess County from 2007 to 2014
• He has since moved to Texas, where he has started a family, launched a business, and hosts polo tournaments
• Ball recently opened a seafood restaurant called Martini’s
• Doing business in Texas versus New York State
• Small business owners have to pass on costs of increased taxes and fees - this creates an environment where you only have the very rich and the very poor
• Taxes, regulations, and fees are much more expensive and stringent in New York, making Texas a much easier environment to do business
• Ball operates a working farm with several different types of animals and an upcoming winery
• Ball’s current thoughts about how we as a country have handled COVID
• He also shares his opinion about the critical race theory debate and feels that there is racism on both sides in this country
• Governor Andrew Cuomo’s resignation
• Illegal immigration concerns in America
• Ball’s decision to leave politics and his plans for the future

Quotes

“It's been a tremendous journey after leaving the People's Republic of New York State.”

“I started with nothing. I came here - people probably wouldn't believe it, but I was probably $300,000 in debt and got in my truck with my dog and...drove to Texas and had no clue what I was going to do. And where I am today - it's been a huge sacrifice and tons of work. And we're not out of the woods yet. But I continue to push and grow and push and grow.”

“I have so much more respect now for small business owners and what they put up with every day.”

“Highly driven, successful people are going to push forward no matter what.”

“I believe that you can treat people like adults, you can treat small business owners like adults, you can treat superintendents of schools like adults. Governments should trust the people, people should not trust the government. And the people were completely capable of instituting best practices throughout this without running a nanny state and dividing the country into essential and non-essential.”

“[The pandemic] showed how willing the American people, including in the great state of Texas, how willing people are to give up their liberty.”

“You could have allowed businesses to do what they do best, which is they could have been the frontline of defense, to protect their customers and protect their employees.”

“We have a deeply divided country. It