New York State Assembly

"Today's announcement is welcome news for the Finger Lakes Region. Important local projects will receive needed funding, with the goal of bolstering our region's economy. I congratulate those who have worked hard to prepare this winning proposal.

However, a grant program that pits upstate regions against each other is not a catalyst for sustained revitalization. Regional "winners" are hand-picked by the governor, and as a recent report points out there is little evidence to show that lofty job-creation promises have been kept.

Fair and equitable investment is critical across New York State. But true economic development must come in the form of lowering taxes and fees on job-creators, reducing onerous regulations, and helping the thousands of small businesses that will never see a nickel from programs like the Upstate Revitalization Initiative."