11/23/09 - Mayor talks truth in Albany
Mayor Roefaro goes to Albany, asks Senate to be mindful of taxpayers’ financial strains when developing five year transportation capital plan
Utica Mayor David Roefaro was in Albany this week telling the New York State Senate Transportation committee it needs to reevaluate a $25.8 billion dollar capital plan project because it’s too unpredictable and too risky for taxpayers.
The projected five-year plan seeks to accomplish many goals, but as Roefaro found while reviewing the plan, it will require an unspecified amount of ‘local investment.’
“The five-year capital plan is very good and well thought out, but I just don’t see how the state is going to pay for it. The report even admits, funding has dried up, and that a local investment will have to be made,” the mayor said.
The Mayor, who is facing his own unpredictable budget, headed for Albany hoping to send a message of transparency and prudent fiscal management.
During the testimony Roefaro said to the Senate, “Mr. Chairman, we all recognize the great deal of planning and work that has gone into this five-year capital plan, and the needs it hopes to address, but do we really know where New York will be in five years? I am asking this committee and the state department of transportation to consider a one-year capital plan, instead of five.”
“A one-year plan will allow all of us to honestly address our needs with our ability to pay for them. A one-year plan will show our stakeholders, our creditors, and most importantly, our taxpayers, that we aren’t living beyond our means, that we aren’t turning a blind eye to the perilous economic situation facing New Yorkers.
Mr. Chairman, I implore this hardworking committee to remake this five-year capital plan into a one-year plan. Perhaps, a one-year plan that specifically details the amount of ‘local investment’ needed to accomplish this work.
In closing, I’d like to reiterate my support for the overall capital plan, and my hope that like New Yorkers, our state too, realizes we can’t keep charging our hopes,” the mayor ended.
Aside from testifying at the Transportation Committee hearing, the Mayor also scheduled a meeting with Governor Paterson’s top aides, and the state’s labor department, where he vetted his own ideas for dealing with Utica’s 2010-2011 budget.
READ THE MAYOR'S WORDS. Click the PDF Below:
