In response to Governor Cuomo's State of the State, Mayor Lovely Warren says the agenda mirrors some of her priorities.
Warren called Cuomo's budget proposal ambitious, but says she was inspired by some points of the proposal, like when Cuomo talked about expanding Minority/Women Owned Business opportunities.
She's also proud to have Rochester serving as an example for other communities.
"Talking about the anti-poverty initiative as something that will be replicated across the state."
Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle, a Democrat from Irondequoit, also approved of Cuomo's plan to expand RMAPI, according to a statement he released following the governor's speech.
"I am particularly pleased that the Governor has highlighted the early work of the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative, and as a result of our work chosen to replicate our efforts in communities across New York through the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative. Working together we can develop and implement community-driven plans that will confront head-on the specific challenges facing families and individuals living in poverty. I look forward to working with the Governor on this Initiative as we seek to deliver real results for those most in need."
Morelle's statement reads that a great deal of work lies ahead, but he's proud to partner with the governor.
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo was at Cuomo's state of the state and budget message, and she says overall, she likes a lot of the things she heard him talk about. She is especially glad he talked about an emphasis on upstate.
"I was very pleased, his attention to upstate New York, he mentioned Monroe County, he mentioned Rochester, I think that was terrific , and I'm glad that he's focusing on infrastructure, and bridges, road improvements, which is really part and parcel of economic development in Upstate New York.
Dinolfo is glad Cuomo made reference to cutting some taxes.
"He did mention lowering taxes, or the tax rate on small businesses, and certainly small business is the backbone of our economic engine in Upstate New York and Monroe County so I was thrilled to hear that as well."
Dinolfo, who is a Republican who just took office in January, says she looks forward to working with the Democratic governor. She says that government leaders from all levels must work together, no matter what party they come from.
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and former Lt. Governor Bob Duffy issued a statement praising Cuomo’s plan to cut small business taxes and he says the Chamber looks forward to learning more details on the governor’s proposals.
Unshackle Upstate, the business group that has roots in Rochester applauded Cuomo for proposing a budget that adheres to a two percent spending cap and makes significant investment in the state’s infrastructure. But the organization says there were also several proposals that it strongly disagrees with including Cuomo’s push for a $15 minimum wage which it contends will lead to the loss of thousands of jobs.
