Valesky, Aubertine to Host Federal Stimulus Town Hall

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (March 17, 2009)—State Senators David Valesky (D-Oneida) and Darrel Aubertine (D-Cape Vincent) will host a town hall meeting at which the Governor’s Office and state agencies will share information and answer questions about the federal stimulus package.

The forum will be held 6 p.m. Thursday at the Syracuse City Council Chambers, 233 East Washington St., and will be open to the public.

Representatives from Governor Paterson’s office and several state agencies will be on hand to discuss how local communities and programs can benefit from the federal stimulus package, what projects are eligible for funding, and what they need to know to obtain that funding.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes more than $24 billion for New York State, much of which will be available for infrastructure projects and other programs in local communities.

“Our federal congressional delegation, especially Congressman Daniel Maffei and Congressman Michael Arcuri, should be commended for their hard work in bringing federal stimulus funding to New York State,” Senator David Valesky said.  “The federal stimulus funding represents an important opportunity for Central New York. This town hall meeting will provide our deserving communities, businesses and civic organizations with the information they need to move forward in the process, and the opportunity to ask the right people questions.”

“This forum is more than an ordinary, 'town hall.' It’s another resource for the communities of Central and Northern New York," Senator Aubertine said. "This is an opportunity for community leaders and local elected officials, including many who will be traveling great distances to take part in the discussions, to network with the people who can help them bring in stimulus money and make investments that will help us emerge stronger from this economic crisis.”

Representatives from the following state agencies are confirmed to attend: Department of Transportation, Thruway Authority, Department of Environmental Conservation, New York Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), Foundation for Science, Technology & Innovation (NYSTAR), Department of Labor, Division of Housing & Community Renewal, Environmental Facilities Corporation, and the State University of New York. Other invited agencies include the Department of Health and Department of Education.

The event was organized by the New York State Senate in collaboration with the New York State Congressional Delegation as one of five town hall meetings. Previous forums were held in Long Island and Albany. Two more are scheduled for March 21 in Buffalo and March 26 in Rochester.

“Job creation and protection as well as sound economic development are absolutely essential to the long-term economic growth of our state. Through the prudent use of federal stimulus funds we can start to build the foundation of a new economy - one that from Buffalo to Brooklyn, Watertown to Staten Island, will put New Yorkers back to work and help to maintain our status as the Empire State,” said Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith.

For more information or to RSVP, please visit www.nystimulus.org. Reservations are not required.