Schumer: What the New Obama Administration Means for Rochester- Finger Lakes Area - Senator Lays Out Kinds of New Help Region Can Expect Under Next Presidency

Press Release

SCHUMER: WHAT THE NEW OBAMA ADMINISTRATION MEANS FOR ROCHESTER- FINGER LAKES AREA - SENATOR LAYS OUT KINDS OF NEW HELP REGION CAN EXPECT UNDER NEXT PRESIDENCY

Schumer, a Member of the Senate Leadership, Discussed Ways New Administration and Democratic Majorities in Congress Could Bring Benefits to Rochester Area -- Both Economically and Through Major Policy Changes

New President and Dem Congress Will Renew Focus on Issues Critical to Upstate New York Communities Like Rochester- Finger Lakes Region - Could Mean Multiple Millions in New Federa

In the wake of last week's historic election, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today discussed the ways in which an Obama Administration and a Democratic Congress will help the Rochester-Finger Lakes region by renewing focus on major state issues that have been neglected for the last eight years. Schumer said that for the past eight years, the Bush Administration has ignored the needs and concerns of the Rochester region by gutting critical infrastructure and transportation projects, slashing Medicaid funding which increases pressure on states and localities to raise taxes, cutting down on crime programs, unemployment benefits and food assistance programs. Schumer discussed how the new Congress and the new Democratic administration will shift focus and list the top policy areas where Rochester-Finger Lakes residents can expect change that will benefit their communities.

"The Obama Administration and a Democratic Congress will be a shot in the arm for the ailing Rochester-Finger Lakes Region," Schumer said. "For the last eight years, we have endured an Administration that has put the needs of our communities on the back burner by taking money away from job-creating infrastructure projects and slashing critical health care funding , which forces states and localities to raise taxes. We are going to work together to undue the damage done in the past and bring change to how the federal government treats our communities."

"These initiatives will change the way our communities are treated by the federal government and could mean hundreds of millions of dollars in new federal funding for New York State to help create jobs, ease the crunch facing our state's budget, and avoid tax hikes," Schumer added.

Schumer pointed out six different ways the new Administration and the Democratic Congress will refocus on the needs of the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region. Schumer said that these changes could both mean millions of dollars for New York State but also bring significant policy changes. Schumer said the pressing concerns of highly populated areas, particularly needs to beef up security, repair aging transportation infrastructure, preserve affordable housing, and keep guns off the street have been put on the back burner for the last eight years.

Below are the five areas where New Yorkers can expect significant change:

1) Funding for Infrastructure

For years, New Yorkers have watched as roads, bridges, highways, and water and sewer infrastructure slowly deteriorate as funding for infrastructure projects continues to dwindle significantly. On the brink of the collapse of the Highway Trust Fund, the Bush Administration proposed an imprudent "Rob Peter to Pay Paul" plan of taking funds from the federal account for mass transit to refurbish the Highway Trust Fund. This short-term solution would only have hurt Rochester and other Upstate New York cities' efforts to improve their public transportation system.

The Obama administration as well as Democrats in Congress favor dramatically increasing federal spending on transportation infrastructure not only as a way to repair and modernize our aging transportation system, but as a way to create jobs during the current economic downturn. Specifically, the Administration and Congress will focus on expanding and improving the federal investment for infrastructure, including highways, technology, and other projects. President-elect Obama and Senator Schumer have both supported the creation of a National Infrastructure Bank which would dedicate financial assistance to critical infrastructure improvements throughout the United States' aging infrastructure systems.

2) Aid to States

Over the past eight years, the Bush administration dramatically slashed funding to the states for critical programs, which in turn has forced state and local governments to raise property taxes on middle class families. Senator Schumer has long called for a stimulus plan that would include this critical funding to states to help stave off state and local tax increases, and the severe cutbacks that have had a weakening effect on an economy that is already on thin ice.

President-Elect Obama has made this a top priority. The stimulus would invest in immediate efforts to create jobs and provide relief to middle class families. Economists agree that dollar for dollar, funding to the states are effective means of economic stimulus. Senator Schumer and the Obama administration want to ensure that more federal health care funding comes into New York State. A second stimulus would mean a significant boost to the Rochester-Finger Lakes region as the state struggles to cope with these conditions in the economic downturn.

3) Foreclosures/Vacant Housing Crisis

During the past eight years, the Bush Administration dramatically cut back on funding for critical housing programs that enabled municipalities to respond to rising foreclosures and declining property values. As a result, vacant homes have littered Upstate New York neighborhoods, including Rochester and the Finger-Lakes region. There are about 3,000 vacant homes in Rochester alone that could be razed or renovated if the funding was available, which would help strengthen up neighboring property values. These annual cuts have cost New York State billions of dollars in redevelopment funding that has exacerbated the housing crisis that has taken its toll on household wealth.

The Obama Administration and Democrats in Congress will make addressing the housing crisis a top priority and will work to reverse the damage done to critical housing programs by the Bush administration. In particular, they will work to slow the pace of foreclosures and make sure that community development grants are tailored to effectively address the blight of vacant housing.

4) Keep Crime Down

The COPS program has been one of the most successful federal programs, providing vital funding to local law enforcement to put more cops on the street and ensure they have the equipment they have to keep New Yorkers safe. Nearly every year in office, President Bush eliminated funding for the COPS programs, reducing resources available to Rochester and the Finger-Lakes community's local police departments just as Rochester reports increases in crime and a high rate of gang-related violence.

Schumer and Vice President-Elect Joe Biden are two of the original sponsors of the bill that created the COPS program and will work together to not only restore this program, but expand it to ensure the local police departments have the resources they need to keep crime down during the economic down turn and avoid more severe staffing cuts.

5) Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)/New York's Child Health Plus

The Bush Administration repeatedly cut several children's health care programs and vetoed the Democratic Congress's attempts to expand those programs, including CHIP. This significantly limited the amount of federal funding available to New York's Child Health Plus program - which is even more essential to Upstate kids and families as the state budget situation continues to worsen. Last year, CHIP helped cover nearly 400,000 kids in New York State. Increased funding would help cover the over 400,000 more children and teens - 12,000 of whom live in Monroe County - that still lack health insurance.

Schumer said that not only will the Democratic Congress restore funding for CHIP, sending millions of federal health dollars to New York State, but President-Elect Obama has prioritized comprehensive health coverage for all children across the country. This commitment to our children will not only ensure that more kids are covered and receive better and more affordable care, but will ease the pressure on New York State and other state budgets under strain as the economic climate gets worse.

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