Leaders of the Rochester Community Coalition - representing business, city and county government, education, faith communities, labor and nonprofits - are asking state leaders to fund six projects totaling $78.5 million to promote job growth and improve the local economy.

A seventh item would increase state revenues and create jobs related to the local wine industry by allowing wine sales in grocery, convenience and drug stores, as Gov. David Paterson has proposed in his draft budget.

The coalition's list of local priorities for state investment is 63 percent less than the seven projects totaling $212 million requested in last year's state budget.

"Recognizing that this is a tough budget year for New York, it's more important than ever to help state leaders identify top priorities for Rochester," said Sandra Parker, president and CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance. "Our group has identified realistic state investments that will allow our community to complete projects and continue programs that offer the biggest payoff in creating jobs."

The 22-member Rochester Community Coalition said its recommended priorities would strengthen education, invest in community development and provide direct support for working families.

• Maintain progress toward equity in Upstate funding and mandate relief. AIM funding finances critical public safety, education and economic development services in Rochester. However, a massive disparity exists between Upstate cities on a per capita distribution basis. Over the last three years, the City has made considerable progress toward closing the cavernous gap. The City also seeks to have at least the same mandate relief measures that have been proposed or provided to New York City and Buffalo. Relieving mandates increases aid to our cities at no cost to the State.
• $8.5 million investment in Child Care for Low-Income Families. More than 12,000 Monroe County children under age 12 live in working families below the poverty level without subsidized child care. The coalition urges state leaders to support a community childcare plan developed by United Way of Greater Rochester and the Early Childhood Development Initiative. The state's investment would allow an estimated 961 low-income families who lost subsidies to be restored to quality care, and would be complemented by private fundraising and lobbying for federal support.
• $30 million for Renaissance Square. The group requests $30 million to complete - with additional private funding - the $230 million transit center, community college campus and performing arts center in downtown Rochester. The projected return is $60 million in additional spending by the time the theater opens and a 100 percent return on this investment in tax dollars within seven years after the theater opens.
• $38 million for the Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology. Last year's state budget included $12 million of a requested $50 million in state dollars to complete this project, which supports sustainability research and technology transfer, building on RIT academic programs and the region's assets in alternative energy. The projected return is 6,000 permanent jobs and $650 million in regional earning potential.
• $1 million to expand the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection. HWSC is a national model, doubling graduation rates for at-risk middle and high school students by providing academic counseling and work experience. The state's investment will combine with local support to serve at least 6,000 students by 2012 - which studies indicate will generate a net return to government of more than $135 million in increased tax revenues and reduced spending.
• $1 million for Rochester Area Colleges Center for Excellence in Math and Science. The Rochester Area Colleges represent 19 institutions of higher learning that have come together with the goal of improving instruction in engineering, math and science. The funding would be used to involve thousands of regional students and their teachers in activities that promote interest in math, science and technology.
• Wine in Grocery Stores. The wine and grape industry contributes an estimated $6 billion annually to the New York economy, with nearly 40 percent of the state's wineries in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region. Currently, 35 states allow wine sales in grocery, drug and convenience stores and New York is the only major wine producing state that does not. A proposal to allow wine sales in these stores, which is already part of Governor Paterson's proposed 2009 budget, would dramatically increase sales and boost state revenues. A coalition composed of the Food Industry Alliance of New York State, the New York Farm Bureau and the Business Council of New York State supports this budget proposal and the positive economic development impact it will have for the state.

Group lobbying effort

In response to the state's financial crisis, Governor Paterson released a proposed $121 billion state budget for 2009-10 budget on December 16 - a month earlier than usual budget submissions. Coalition leaders said they will communicate with officials in the legislature and the governor's office as details of the budget are finalized over the next few months.

On Jan. 16, the coalition met with Rochester-area state legislators to present its list of funding priorities. Over the next few weeks, members of the coalition will plan a lobby day in Albany to meet with officials and staffs involved in budget negotiations. A public communications campaign will encourage area residents to send letters in support of the agenda, and coalition members are encouraged to promote it as part of their individual lobbying efforts.

"Our coalition brings together groups who may disagree on other issues, but who all support this short list of state funding priorities to benefit our region," Parker said. "We appreciate the support of our local legislators, and hope that state leaders will appreciate that our community is united behind this reasonable 'ask' of state government."

Last year the coalition asked for $212 million for seven projects and nearly $133 million was approved. In November, Parker wrote a letter to Governor Paterson asking for his continued support for projects approved in the 2008-09 budget but not yet funded.

About the Rochester Community Coalition
The Rochester Community Coalition (formerly known as the Rochester Fair Share Coalition), an organization convened by the Rochester Business Alliance and representing business, labor unions, academic institutions, faith communities, local government and nonprofits, works to effect change on issues important to Greater Rochester's future.