Statement from CEO Sandy Parker: "Deeply disappointed" the region overlooked in State of the State Address

"While I certainly recognize Buffalo's economic needs and do not begrudge our Thruway neighbor any assistance it can get from the state in addressing those needs, I am deeply disappointed that Rochester and the Finger Lakes were again overlooked by the powers in Albany.

Like Buffalo, Rochester also has a very high poverty rate - the latest U.S. Census reports that 30.4 percent of the city's residents live below the poverty line. Yet Rochester, which funds its school district at a much higher rate than other New York cities - still continues to receive the lowest per capita rate of state aid to municipalities.

And requests through the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council to bolster our economy and job creation through major projects such a state investment in redeveloping Eastman Business Park, the largest manufacturing site in North America, largely went unfilled.

The long-held view in Albany that Rochester can take care of itself is unfair- and punitive. It's time our elected officials at the state level pay some attention to Rochester's needs as well. We can only hope that our concerns will be addressed in the governor's upcoming budget.

Furthermore, while I was pleased to hear Gov. Cuomo call for action on mandate relief during this legislative session, I urge our elected officials not to delay this necessary action too much further with a lengthy public hearing process. A delay that lasts until the end of the legislative session will seriously hamper the ability of the state's public schools to develop realistic budgets without harming the students they serve, and will put local governments at all levels in a serious bind."

Sandy Parker is president and CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance, the chamber of commerce for the nine-county Greater Rochester region.