Senator Jacobs Comments on Budget Extender, Buffalo Billion

New York State Senator Chris Jacobs (60^th SD), issued the following statement after the State Senate approved a budget extender, funding state government through May 31, 2017.

Senator Chris Jacobs:

“I am very disappointed that a final budget agreement is not in place.  The extender approved this afternoon is necessary to ensure that New York State government continues to operate and provide services uninterrupted to its citizens.  Negotiations are continuing, and I remain optimistic that adoption of a final budget could still happen in the near future.

For months now, I have advocated for a state budget that controls spending and protects taxpayers, reforms the workers’ comp system and helps businesses create new jobs, provides more financial aid to many more middle class families with children in college, makes the largest investment in clean water in state history, and provides a record level of support for our local schools.  I am not going to stop until we achieve those goals.

If there is any silver-lining to the budget extender approved today, it is the fact that funding for the Buffalo Billion II was included.  Now despite the late budget, a second phase of economic development stimulus spending for Buffalo and Western New York will not be delayed, and the economic development momentum that we are working so hard to advance will continue. 

Securing the approval of these funds was one of my top budget priorities.  Now that the Buffalo Billion is funded and in place, we must turn our attention back to ensuring the speedy adoption of a full budget that includes priorities like ridesharing, education funding, job training and economic development for Western New York.”

Examples of Buffalo Billion Strategic Investments in the 60^th Senate District Include:

• Improvements to the Scajaquada Expressway
• Create Buffalo Blueway, access points along City waterways
• Realign Erie Street from Main Street to connect with the waterfront
• Extend Metro Rail to DL&W Terminal and redevelop buildings and surroundings
• Redevelop former Bethlehem Steel Site
• Continue funding for successful 43 North Business Plan Competition
• Create a $10 million Workforce Development Fund
• $10 Million for Say Yes to Education for Buffalo Public and Charter School children
• Invest $10 million in Darwin D Martin House and Graycliff Estate
• Build $20 million Visitor Welcome Center on Grand Island to spur tourism
• $20 million to expand class size at new UB medical school