26 Jun 2008
Fellow State Senators from across upstate New York have created the Senate Democratic Upstate Caucus to better focus on upstate issues. Our group of Senators, which includes representatives from Western New York, The North Country, Central New York and the Capital Region, has worked closely for some time, but we wanted to create a more organized effort.
There are issues of specific concern to the people we represent, whether they are from Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse, Watertown or any other part of Upstate. This caucus means that by working together we can use the individual strengths and abilities of the entire group to address these issues and better promote practical solutions for these regions.
The Senate Republicans have often abandoned Upstate New York in recent years in favor of the larger Downstate. The school aid discussions in particular over the past several years are a prime example of how Downstate has been the focus of these Republican Senators. So while Republican led policies have often placated Upstate concerns, they have actually done little to promote and protect the Upstate areas. It is Upstate and Western New York in particular that has been hit hardest by job loss, high property taxes and a shrinking population. So the lack of focus on Upstate by the Senate Republicans has only added to our problems. The Upstate solutions that have been proposed and passed by the Republican majority have regularly been too little and much too late.
The formation of our Upstate Caucus will give the Democrats a unified effort and voice. The strength in numbers concept will enhance our future efforts to help the Upstate constituent. We will meet on a regular basis to discuss various issues that affect our individual areas and seek proper solutions.
The Western New York region has had a rich history. The same can be said for Rochester, Syracuse, Ithaca and other Upstate population centers. We were once leaders in an industrial age that has since passed. The efforts for revival in the new millennium presents challenges and issues that will not go away with empty Republican promises and lip service. The Upstate Democrat Caucus will address these problems and seek solutions that will genuinely help those who are proud citizens of Upstate New York.
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