Senate releases member item requests

Money would fund projects in the Town of Vernon and the cities of Oneida and Sherrill

ALBANY >> The Senate released a list of local projects slated for funding through member items in this year’s budget, including several in the Oneida region.

The list follows by a few days one published online by the Assembly. Both houses of the Legislature are seeking final approval for projects under the “State and Municipal Facilities Program” that hands out grants for local projects at the request of legislators.

The projects will undergo further review by the state Budget Division and individual state agencies before final approval is given to send out the funds. The proposed Senate-backed projects backed by Senator David Valesky (D-Oneida) include:

•$50,000 to the City of Oneida to restart the city’s sidewalk replacement program.

Most of Valesky’s projects are proposed for Syracuse, where $1.2 million is earmarked for city pools, parks, the War Memorial and street cameras.

Senator Joseph Griffo ( R-Rome) has proposed:

• $50,000 for sidewalk replacement and expansion in the City of Sherrill.

• $50,000 to install a culvert extension to the bridge on Betsinger Road in the Town of Vernon.

Most of Griffo’s projects are proposed for Utica and neighboring communities, including:

• $1.5 million for improvements to the Upper Mohawk Valley Memorial Auditorium.

Since taking office in 2011, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has revamped the member item system that was subject to abuse by legislators and their political supporters.

Cuomo has consolidated control of the money, depriving legislators of the ability to funnel state cash to private non-profit groups controlled by themselves or their political operatives.