Politics & Government

Syracuse mayoral candidate Pat Hogan wrapped up his weekly policy agenda announcements Monday by unveiling his plan to re-build the city’s neighborhoods.  

In previous weeks, Hogan has released his plans for improving education, equal rights, public safety, and jobs and the economy.  Hogan says focusing on the social fabric of the city is also important. 

Hogan says he’ll be just as engaged and accessible when he’s mayor as he is as common councilor.  Alfonso Davis is also in the race to try and unseat incumbent Stephanie Miner. 

The incident of Syracuse police using a taser on a man on a Centro bus has raised questions about use of force policies.  Among the complaints are charges that top city officials are ignoring the issue.

Onondaga County lawmakers are holding off for now on funding any new “Save the Rain” projects.  The Ways and Means Committee met today to discuss plans for $2 million worth of ‘installation and infiltration’ projects—or INI’s—to manage rainfall in suburban communities. 

Legislator Casey Jordan says the projects sound promising, but he wants to know what it will cost the County to collect each gallon of rainwater.

Syracuse’s Democratic state lawmakers say Mayor Stephanie Miner has been a tireless advocate of Syracuse and a close partner in government. 

Assemblymembers Bill Magnarelli and Sam Roberts, plus Senator Dave Valesky endorsed Miner’s campaign for re-election today in front of H.W. Smith school.  The building is the last to be renovated under phase one of the massive Joint Schools Construction Project.  Bill Magnarelli says Miner made sure legislation for phase two made it through the legislature:

The Syracuse Common Council is contemplating merging city vehicle maintenance and repairs under one roof. Councilors met with city department heads Monday morning.

With more than one-thousand City-owned vehicles on the streets, Council Committee members think one building will be enough to service all five departments. Councilor Helen Hudson says cutting costs is the main reason behind the proposal.