Leaders of the Rochester Community Coalition are asking state leaders to support five projects aimed at promoting job growth and improving the local economy.

For the first time in the coalition's history, not all the projects are seeking actual state funding. In fact, two of the five address changes to state policy that the coalition believes are essential to revitalizing the Greater Rochester economy.

"The purpose of the Rochester Community Coalition's agenda is to help our state representatives identify and support the top priorities for Rochester," said Sandy Parker, president and CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance. "In recognition of the state's financial situation, we opted to limit the projects for which we are seeking state dollar investment and broaden the focus to include legislative action that can be taken to support the community's goals."

The Rochester Community Coalition said its recommended priorities retain the group's original focus on economic development and community investment.

The three projects identified are:

• $5 million over four years to expand a Rochester After-School Initiative
  This program, developed through collaboration among the City of Rochester, Rochester City School District, United Way and Community Foundation, is designed to help our youth find safe and constructive options, develop critical social skills, establish mentor relationships with caring adults, and provide access to academic enrichment.
  The investment will be used to bolster this program and develop a long-term implementation strategy, as well as allow the program to serve an additional 625 youth annually, aimed at helping reduce youth crime and improve graduation rates.
• $40 million for the Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology
  The state investment is essential to completing a total public-private partnership fundraising goal of $107 million. In addition to providing up to 6,000 new jobs regionally, 100 professional and technical positions at RIT and 140 construction jobs over two years, the institute will establish the region as a global hub for the emerging green-tech economy.
  
• $150 million for Interstate 390 Interchange Project
  This project will provide a comprehensive overhaul of the corridor from the Genesee River to the I-390-/I-590 Interchange to sufficiently support and accommodate the increased traffic flow associated with planned and future growth of the University of Rochester, as well as from planned projects along Mt. Hope Avenue and East Henrietta Road. It will allow our region to fully realize the University's potential for growth, which includes a $500 million strategic plan, and result in hiring 771 new staff at the UR Medical Center, creation of 1,000 permanent jobs in the community, and an average 1,400 construction jobs per year to accommodate the associated major capital projects.
  

For the first time, the coalition also addressed the need for changes in state policies that affect local government and businesses operations and budgets. Among the policies the coalition wants to see addressed are:

• Local Government Control - Mandate Relief
  Local governments are frequently required to support state-directed programs and regulations without the necessary funding or decision-making power. These mandates often follow a "one-size-fits-all" approach with little regard for issues unique to localities, particularly the economy and taxpayer concerns. Albany should refrain from enacting new mandates, and revise existing ones that fail to factor in municipalities' ability to pay and restrict local governments' ability to manage.
  2010 goals include amending Taylor Law, a labor relations statute, to require that an arbitration panel accord substantial weight to "ability to pay," without increasing taxes and fees, when making an award, and expanding waiver implementation so that all counties are made aware of existing and newly granted waivers and allowed to opt in.
• Empire Zones and IDA Reform
  Several bills are under consideration to reform programs such as Empire Zones and Industrial Development Agencies, which play a crucial role in creating and retaining jobs. The coalition is telling Albany that provisions that increase program transparency and accountability should be supported, while provisions that will increase costs and stifle development, such as prevailing wage requirements and mandating project labor agreements, should be defeated.
  

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.

The coalition met Jan. 14 with Rochester-area state legislators to present its list of 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 list of priorities that we believe will benefit our region," Parker said. "We appreciate the support of our local legislators, and look forward to working with them as we stand united as a community."