City of Rochester
News Release
(Tuesday, January 21, 2014) – We welcome Governor Cuomo’s tax relief for upstate manufacturers and his pledge of $40 million in support for the Eastman Business Park – both of which are critical to our job creation needs. I support the Governor’s initiative to provide universal pre-k for all children; and remain deeply appreciative for the Governor’s NY Youth Works program. I know the Governor is well-aware that we have a critical need to fund jobs for Rochester’s youth.
While we commend Governor Cuomo for his incentivized municipal consolidation plan, there must be recognition from Albany that here in Rochester and Monroe County, we are years ahead of the curve when it comes to consolidation.
I will be making the case to the Governor and our Legislative Delegation that it is simply unfair for Rochester to be shut out of funding that is available to other municipalities due to our own initiative, resourcefulness and prudent planning that in fact pre-dates the Governor’s own consolidation policy goals. Our long-standing success with consolidation and inter-municipal agreements should not be a barrier to our progress now. I will be asking for an increase to our AIM aid—which at this point is budgeted to be flat—to offset the funding that we simply are not eligible for under this new state aid paradigm.
I am proud to join with Governor Cuomo in building on New York’s success for all, especially the people of Rochester. In partnership with New York State, I believe we can restore economic opportunity and forge community in new and important ways.
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News media: For more information, contact Communications Director Christine Christopher at 428-7405.