Worried about Centro's proposed service cuts? Here's what you can do
By Teri Weaver on February 03, 2015 at 10:23 AM, updated February 04, 2015 at 2:27 PM
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Centro, last week, announced proposed cuts to late-night and weekend services to make up for a $4.5 million budget gap.
The proposals are preliminary.
But they are significant: Centro would end bus routes after 9 p.m. on weeknights, after 7 p.m. on Saturdays and all service on Sundays.
Centro officials are talking with state leaders about solutions to its budget woes to avoid the drastic changes and steer the bus authority onto better, long-term financial footing. Centro officials also have asked the public to weigh in.
Now is crunch time. Both the state and Centro must finalize budgets by March 31.
Would this affect you and your family? Feeling thunderstruck by the news but don't know what to do? I've put together some ideas and links for you. Got other ideas? Please let me know in the comments below.
Read Centro's proposed budget
There's a lot there. Go to page 14. See for yourself where Centro gets its revenues (only about 20 percent from rider fares) and what it spends that money on (fuel prices are going down). You can see at the bottom of the page a line titled "operating income." The corresponding number for the upcoming budget is in parentheses. That represents a loss.
Contact your state lawmaker
The largest chunk of money in Centro's $67 million proposed budget comes from the state. The New York State Legislature is considering Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget proposal right now. Cuomo is calling for the state to keep Centro's funding flat, at $29.3 million.
The Syracuse-area lawmakers with Centro service in their districts are in the New York State Senate: Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, Sen. David Valesky, D-Oneida, Sen. Joseph Griffo, R-Rome; and in the New York State Assembly: Assemblymen Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, Gary Finch, R-Springport, Bill Magnarelli, D-Syracuse, Sam Roberts, D-Syracuse, Al Stirpe, D-Cicero.
Call Centro
Here's the contact information for the bus authority.
Centro's budget is prepared by its staff. But Centro's board members must approve it. That should happen before March 31. The board members are: Brian Schultz, Nicholas Laino, Darlene DeRosa Lattimore, Robert Cuculich, Deraux Branch, H.J. Hubert, Mary Davis, Donna Reese, and Louella Williams.
Talk to your employer and/or union
Late-night workers at some of the area's largest employers -- hospitals, malls, universities, big box stores, factories -- would be affected by this change. What is your employer doing in response to the proposal? What about your union?
Reach out to other political leadersCentro is a state authority, which means it operates under the government umbrella of the state Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner and Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney have no direct say over Centro's budget. Still, they both have a stake in Centro's future and certainly carry political clout.
Same goes for the Syracuse Common Council and the Onondaga County Legislature -- they have little direct say, but they're your elected representatives.
Centro does get some money from the federal government. U.S. Rep. John Katko, R-Camillus and Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer represent you there.
Tell me your story
How would these changes affect you? What action have you and your friends at work taken? Who are you reaching out to for help? Please let me know. Call, email or tell us your reaction in the comments below.
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