Issues: Economic Development

ALBANY, 03/25/13 – As the 2013-14 state budget is finalized, Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) announced today that  local counties will receive a substantial increase in funding to support highway improvements.

“After meeting with county and town highway superintendents from throughout my district it was clear that the state needed to boost funding available through the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Plan (CHIPs),” said Senator Seward.  “I fought hard for new money during the state budget negotiations and was successful in securing an additional $75 million in CHIPs funding – the first CHIPs increase in five years.”

First Funding Hike for Local Highways in Five Years; Investments to Help Create Jobs 

 Kennedy announces the beginnings of commission to pursue historic designation – and the rehabilitation tax credits that come with it – for the Old First Ward.

Community leaders join Kennedy to encourage residents, local preservationists to participate in the effort. 

Kennedy: Buffalo’s First Ward is a relic to the hard work, sweat and endurance that our region is known for. It’s going to take similar determination to secure historic designation, but this extensive process begins today as we start forming our ‘green-ribbon commission’. 

BUDGET PLAN WOULD CHANGE THE STATE’S FILM PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT TO LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR WNY

The New York State Senate today approved a 2013-14 budget resolution, proposed by the Senate Majority Coalition, that focuses on helping businesses create new jobs, investing additional funds in education and transportation, providing mandate relief to local governments, and restoring proposed cuts to women’s health programs as well programs for the developmentally disabled.  The budget also includes proposals to implement a two-percent state spending cap and reform the State’s film production tax credit program to level the playing field for Upstate.