Money for Albany is a lifeline, not a “windfall”

The Times Union has published a number of stories referring to what they call the city of Albany’s “windfall” from the American Rescue Plan. The term “windfall” is misleading in a number of ways.

First, as mayor, I have advocated and educated state, federal and our local leadership on the capital city’s financial challenges. Albany receives less state aid per capita than most other cities in the state, including Utica, Schenectady and Troy. Albany has far more tax-exempt property and was, until recently, the most fiscally stressed city in New York.

Second, the American Rescue Plan used a longestablished HUD formula to allocate funds to municipalities. Places with higher poverty levels receive more relief. This isn’t a “windfall,” it’s economic justice.

Moreover, last year, Albany lost nearly $16 million in revenue, and we project additional revenue losses for the next three years. Like other businesses and not-for-profits, we must reimagine our workspaces and workforce for a post-pandemic world and ensure that we have resources to address the racial inequities that were laid bare by COVID -19.

Finally, it’s presumptuous and irresponsible to refer to this lifeline of long-awaited federal funding as a “windfall” for a city that has suffered the consequences of decades of redlining and structural racism. We will make decisions about how to invest this funding through a lens of equity, and I can assure the residents of Albany that their voices will be the ones we listen to as we seek to build back better.

Kathy Sheehan Albany Mayor