The delegation from Rochester greeted Governor Spitzer’s billion dollar plan with a renewed sense of hope and optimism for the upstate. Assemblyman Joe Morelle who the governor mentioned in his speech for his advocacy for small businesses says the Governor is finally giving the upstate the attention it deserves. “It’s a comprehensive plan for revitalizing upstate New York,” said Morelle. Sandy Parker of the Rochester Business Alliance says much of what the governor proposed if part of what she's been fighting for with Unshackle Upstate. “We did hear brown field reform, cutting property taxes, energy cuts. Those are part of the Unshackle Upstate agenda so there’s support there,” said Parker. But the one billion dollar boost does raise some questions. Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks supports the governor in principal but wonders where the money will come from. “I support the governor in his agenda his strategic direction to improve the economy reduce taxes and bring people in to the state. I just need a little bit more detail in how were going to pay for some of these initiatives and really what's in it for the counties,” said Brooks. Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy says we'll just have to wait to see what Spitzer and state lawmakers work out. “He'll certainly get into specifics with the budget process with the legislature every investment will have them a way to pay for it and I'm assuming that's being thought through right now,” said Duffy.
