SYRACUSE, N.Y. - State Sen. John DeFrancisco is upset that Gov. Andrew Cuomo is excluding state lawmakers from multi-million dollar economic development decisions, like the new nanotechnology hub in DeWitt. <\/p>\n
DeFrancisco learned Tuesday afternoon that Cuomo was headed to Syracuse to announce the new nanotechnology facility in the senator's district. <\/p>\n
Before that phone call from the governor's office, DeFrancisco had no clue the state had picked a developer, a site and a tenant for the Central New York Hub for Emerging Nano Industries.<\/p>\n
DeFrancisco said he's not upset about the new hub and the jobs it could bring. \"It may be a phenomenal thing,\" he said. <\/p>\n
The Legislature approved overall economic development funding in a past budget, but doesn't get to vote on this specific project. <\/p>\n
DeFrancisco said he's not going to drop his criticism of the state's film tax credits, a program that awards $420 million annually to one industry and stands to benefit the hub's first tenant, The Film House, a movie production studio. <\/p>\n
Instead, DeFrancisco is pushing for language in this year's budget that would require the governor have to disclose more information about specific economic development projects throughout the state. <\/p>\n
\"I just think the pendulum's gone too far with gubernatorial control,\" DeFrancisco said. \"Maybe it was too far the other way with the Legislature having too much say. I don't know. But it just seems right now one person should not be able to make same-day announcements of projects that affect the constituents of the legislators in that area.\" <\/p>\n
The governor's office did not respond to questions Friday afternoon about DeFrancisco's comments. <\/p>\n
State lawmakers at one time did have more control over economic development funds. They handed out millions of dollars in \"member items\" to local organizations, legislative pork that drew criticism for lack of transparency and fairness. Then-Gov. David Paterson vetoed hundreds of member items in 2010, essentially stopping the funding streams. <\/p>\n
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Sen. DeFrancisco: Cuomo keeps lawmakers in dark about new nanotechnology hub, other projects<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SYRACUSE, N.Y. - State Sen. John DeFrancisco is upset that Gov Continue reading