Gov. Andrew Cuomo's running mate this fall, former Buffalo-area Rep. Kathy Hochul, says the governor's initiatives, including Start-Up NY and the establishment of ten regional economic development councils, have helped spur additional growth in all areas, particularly upstate.
"I have seen so many elected officials come and go," Hochul said. "They make all sorts of promises, we won't forget upstate, but they're from downstate and it's forgotten. That did not happen under this governor, and I can personally attest to that with the transformation I've seen in downtown Buffalo, which has seen a tough 50 years."
While visiting Oswego, the lieutenant governor hopeful says many of Cuomo's economic development policies are specifically designed to help upstate.
"The governor has actually transformed the delivery of economic development dollars through the regional economic development councils," Hochul explained. "By creating these ten councils, he has put the power in the hands of the local governments, business leaders and community leaders who know their community best."
Cuomo's Republican opponent Rob Astorino has previously said the governor's programs are smoke and mirrors and that they don't provide the state with real growth. A Quinnipiac poll released earlier this month shows Cuomo with a 20 point lead over Astorino.
Hochul also visited Le Moyne College in Syracuse to speak on the issue of sexual assault on college campuses.
