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Surplus should be used for Upstate economic stimulus, Hawley says

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) said today that Upstate economic development would be the best option for the state’s $610 million surplus, obtained as result of a recent bank settlement. Hawley criticized Gov. Cuomo’s proposed Upstate Revitalization Fund for pitting communities against each other and said surplus funding should be appropriated in a more equitable fashion.

“The surplus would best serve the people of this state by promoting economic revitalization in Upstate New York,” Hawley said. “The governor’s competition plan is a misguided approach that pits communities against each other and creates three winners and four losers. By splitting this money evenly among the seven regions or combining it with the governor’s plan, we could ensure that more regions see tangible economic development. The state’s financial investments in businesses and local projects over the past several years have been hugely beneficial, especially in the rural areas of my district. This surplus funding should be invested back into Upstate communities and support projects that will attract new businesses and jobs to many struggling areas of the state.”

Hawley’s comments come after a press release issued by the New York State Department of Financial Services revealed that Commerzbank has paid a $610 million fine to New York State as part of a punitive package for financial and accountability crimes.

Marc Staley

Not even 1 week ago, Mr. Hawley issued a press release referring to the economic aid we receive upstate as "Scraps!" Now he says : "The state’s financial investments in businesses and local projects over the past several years have been hugely beneficial, especially in the rural areas of my district."

I'm starting to wonder less why our region has a hard time getting the attention of the decision makers in Albany. Screaming for secession one day, and then begging for money from those you are trying to split from the next. Interesting strategy!

Imagine a 17 year old screaming at his parents that "He wants to move out, because they don't understand him, and they are the problem".....and then asks for an allowance increase a few days later! Most Parents would tell their kids exactly what Albany is telling us. GO POUND SALT!

Mar 25, 2015, 10:48am Permalink
Brian Graz

Here is why nothing will come of Assemblyman Hawley's proposition...
Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida: "Overall, the Executive Budget proposal addresses issues we face every day, including property taxes, jobs, and infrastructure, while keeping spending in check. I am especially encouraged by Governor Cuomo's continuing commitment to invest in Upstate New York."

Valesky is an upstate colleague of Hawley, and obviously he is quite content with the current financial landscape and pending 2015-16 Budget. There is one major difference however. Valesky is a Democrat and Hawley a Republican, and the Democrats have a 70% majority in the Assembly. So unless the Republican majority in the Senate suddenly decide to stand up and be counted by refusing to pass the Budget unless their team gets some of the things it wants, that surplus money will likely find it's way to the Tappan Zee bridge project, or show up as some of the Buffalo Billion that the Cuomo criminal collaborators are refusing to account for. Until then, Dave's suggestion of giving the taxpayers a refund would be much more likely to happen, because by just sheer numbers the Democrats would get the bulk of it.

If state money is what matters [and Albany is making it more and more difficult to live without it], then Genesee County should elect Democrats to represent us there.

Mar 25, 2015, 11:34pm Permalink
Raymond Richardson

The state should use the money the way the $150 million stimulus funds should have been used instead of loading up a bonus on EBT cards like the previous Governor did.

Mar 27, 2015, 8:09am Permalink

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