Add Valesky To ‘Syracuse Billion’ Push

Sen. David Valesky of Oneida is joining the push for a “Syracuse Billion.”

The Independent Democratic Conference member on Monday said in a statement he backed the plan as proposed by Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner to have the state commit to a massive infrastructure investment in the central New York city.

“Mayor Miner’s proposal contains exactly the components we need to propel Syracuse and Central New York into economic growth in the 21st Century,” Valesky said in a statement. “This plan’s singular focus is on infrastructure—investing in the physical needs and human capital to create a playing field where the entire community can grow. The Syracuse Billion proposal is a comprehensive plan that has my wholehearted support.”

Though the proposal has echos of the “Buffalo Billion” — a program that targeted private-sector job growth through specific state investment — this program Miner backs is aimed at upgrading Syracuse’s roads, bridges and sewer systems which are increasingly costly to maintain on the local level.

Republican Sen. John DeFrancisco, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, last week announced he also backed Miner’s proposal.

Miner will be a guest on Capital Tonight this evening.

http://www.nystateofpolitics.com/2014/12/add-valesky-to-syracuse-billion-push/