Sen. Charles Schumer, in tandem with newly appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, issued nearly twenty press releases this morning on funding earmarked for upstate New York communities in the upcoming federal omnibus bill. None of that money has yet been tagged for projects in Genesee County, at least not according to the announcements out of Schumer's office. Buffalo and Niagara Falls were both listed as recipients of significant funding.
Buffalo was awarded $950,000 for its Main Street revitilization project. Niagara Falls will receivie $950,000 to ramp up its "international railway station." Tack on funding for university and medical projects, railway infrastructure and tourism, and the funding level for the greater Buffalo region tops $3 million.
From an article in the Buffalo News this morning:
The money for Buffalo and Niagara Falls will be included in an omnibus federal spending bill funding government operations through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill today, with Senate consideration set for next week.
Rochester also looks to benefit. The George Eastman House is on the bill for $381,000 "to preserve and allow access to museum library collections through new Web applications."
From the press release:
"This is terrific news for the entire Rochester community," said Schumer. "The George Eastman House is one of the oldest and most revered photography and film museums worldwide. In these technology-driven times, it’s important for the federal government to do everything in its power to ensure that such historic, cultural gems as this one are able to adapt in ways that allow them to both preserve their heritage and expand their resources.”
“These federal dollars will go a long way to preserve the collections at the George Eastman House while making them accessible through the internet,” said Senator Gillibrand. “These snapshots are an important part of our history. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer to ensure that New York receives its fair share of federal funding.”
A significant portion has been eyed for higher education in the state. St. John Fisher College is on tap for $475,000. Albany's College of Nanoscience and Engineering is marked for $1 million. Binghamton University is in line to receive $2 million.
Batavia City Council members Charlie Mallow and Marianne Clattenburg were in Albany recently meeting with "key officials," according to Mallow, in the hopes of securing fundig for the city. We hope to soon hear what progress they made.
I wonder how much party
I wonder how much party affiliation is playing in who gets what money -- Democrats only giving to districts covered by Democrats?
Obviously, any such partisanship is ethically reprehensible. The money should be distributed without favor based on need and reasonable proportion.
When the political parties play partisan games, we all lose.
That would really stink. I'm
That would really stink. I'm sure that Charlie won't let that happen.
"The money should be
"The money should be distributed without favor based on need and reasonable proportion."
Ha ha, you're too funny Howard. What planet are you livin' on?
Now, back to reality. All one need do is look at the stimulus bill and match up the geographical areas targeted for earmarks with the party affiliation of that area's representative in the House or Senate to see that is precisely what is going to happen once again. It's called; "job security".
"Rock, paper, scissors, draw"
"Rock, paper, scissors, draw" !
I thought we had to spend
I thought we had to spend 450,000 dollars to have all these shovel ready projects..this was going to allow us to get 4.5 million dollars..
There's an emphasis on
There's an emphasis on getting money to projects that are ready to start. As local projects move forward beyond the imagining stage, they will have a better chance at gaining stimulus money.
Andy, show me proof of your claim. Where did you find the information or map you allude to? If you go to http://www.stimuluswatch.org/ , you can see that the money that is in the pipeline is to projects that have been on the drawing board, waiting for the funding. You're just making statements you think people already agree with and won't fact-check.