Acting Commissioner Delivers Budget Testimony to Legislature
Acting Commissioner Brian Lawlor delivered testimony on the Governor's Executive Budget before members of the State Legislature's fiscal and housing committees.
Lawlor noted that the Governor, while focused on reducing costs to address an $8.2 billion deficit in the current budget, has maintained his commitment to the development and preservation of affordable housing. The Governor's budget proposal would provide more than $100 million in new capital funding for housing.
Lawlor also discussed the Governor's new "Sustainable Neighborhoods" initiative, which would create a partnership between state and local officials to address the vacant building crisis that has devastated cities throughout Upstate New York. The program is set to begin in Buffalo, which has more than 23,000 vacant homes.
"This type of bold, forward-thinking initiative can only succeed when scarce government resources are strategically aligned to foster collaboration and innovation," Lawlor said. "Government at its best leads discussion, seeks and encourages creativity and invests in innovative growth opportunities. Those values are the core of the Sustainable Neighborhoods Initiative."
The Governor's plan to consolidate some of the functions of DHCR and nyhomes, as well as the great accomplishments DHCR has enjoyed in recent years were also major themes of Lawlor's testimony.
Last Updated: 2/4/10