MAYOR MASIELLO PRAISES STATE ASSEMBLY BUDGET PROPOSAL
March 17, 2000
Contact: Peter K. Cutler (716) 851-5841

BUFFALO (3/17/00) - Mayor Anthony M. Masiello today hailed the New York State Assembly's $78.2 billion budget resolution, stating the Assembly action brings further recognition to the fiscal needs of the upstate economy.

"Speaker Sheldon Silver and his Assembly colleagues are to be commended for delivering a budget resolution that addresses responsibly the financial needs of cities like Buffalo and underscores the essential role New York State must play in the continuing effort to revitalize the upstate economy," stated Mayor Masiello. "Last year I joined my mayoral colleagues from Rochester, Syracuse and Albany to emphasize the shared plight of our vital, but economically lagging municipalities. The Assembly's budget resolution tells me that our individual and collective efforts have successfully conveyed our message."

The Mayor noted that the Assembly budget plan addresses the individual needs of the state's various municipalities in a very positive fashion, without jeopardizing the state's projected surplus, and the Assembly has boldly proposed an across-the-board 20% percent revenue-sharing package that will significantly help the various cities and towns across the state. Added to this important component of the budget resolution, Mayor Masiello praised the Assembly for its proposed $50.5 million appropriation for the Upstate Cities Revitalization initiative.

"What's important is that the legislative and executive branches of our state government have all stated publicly that greater attention must be focused on the upstate economy," noted Mayor Masiello. "The future success of our state is inextricably linked to the vitality and viability of the upstate economy. We are making important strides in revitalizing Buffalo and Western New York, and I am extremely appreciative of the effort coming from our state legislative delegation, Speaker Silver, Majority Leader Bruno and Governor Pataki. Their collective effort on passing the state budget will benefit us all."