For the second time in two weeks, the state's budget message reached the Southern Tier — this time in Allegany County.

What You Need To Know

  • NYS budget message delivered virtually in Allegany County Wednesday
  • State leaders say vaccinating WNYers is the key to jumpstarting the local economy
  • County leaders are calling on the state to stop reducing local funding
​​

"We were all very much glad to see 2020 in the rearview mirror," said Marie Therese Dominguez, NYS Department of Transportation commissioner.

Dominguez brought Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget message to Allegany County virtually Wednesday.

As part of the state's seven-point action plan to reimagine, rebuild, and renew New York, Dominguez says the key to jump-starting the local economy is to get all Western New Yorkers vaccinated for COVID-19.

"When people can go back to work, kids are back in school, that we get some more stability to drive us forward," said Dominguez.

"What's good for Allegany County, is good for New York state. Let's not ignore the small rural counties like Allegany County," said Curt Crandall, Allegany County Legislative chairman.

Crandall, who announced Tuesday he's not seeking reelection, says the county has a number of projects together with Empire State Development.

Crandall called on state leaders to keep pushing federal lawmakers for aid to balance the budget, and to stop reducing funding on the county level.

"That hurts and impacts us a great deal. Even though we are small and we're rural, we have some projects that can impact New York state in a great way," said Crandall.

"We don't want to be in a position where we're taking more from local aid. What we want to be able to do is to make New York whole," said Dominguez.

Dominguez outlined a number of revenue generating initiatives including mobile sports betting and legalizing recreational marijuana.

And while she faced some criticism on that subject, Dominguez says the state must move forward with short and long term investments. 

"Whether that's in health care, whether that's in schools, job training, in infrastructure investment. All of those go toward rebuilding our economy," said Dominguez.

Dominguez also discussed issues like election reform, green energy, and child care.