Syracuse’s mayor says the state government is reversing a long tradition of supporting infrastructure investments in its cities.
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner told the Thursday Morning Roundtable that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s reluctance to help Syracuse rebuild its water main system is “completely and totally at odds with New York state’s history.”
Afterward, she told WRVO: "Historically New York state has always been a partner with cities to help alleviate the challenges that come with cities. And you have seen that philosophy change dramatically. I think I would be remiss if I didn’t point that out."
Miner has been asking the state for more than $700 million for years to help repair and replace its aged water main system. Already this year, a hundred pipes have burst.
But Cuomo has brushed off the request, saying Syracuse should create an economy and jobs first, and then it would have the money to fix pipes. State and federal legislators seem more sympathetic to Miner, but so far no money has come through.
Miner and Cuomo have had a strained relationship for a few years and Cuomo has focused his attention and state dollars on the suburbs.
The chilly relationship with Cuomo may be resulting in most state money being spent on projects outside city limits.
"Major drivers of economic development are located in the city and if we want to see growth in those institutions that have already shown themselves to be proven economic development machines, we should be investing in those entities," she said.
But the state is investing heavily in the state fairgrounds and an amphitheater.
