My job as your assemblyman – first and foremost – is to make sure your concerns heard in Albany. This includes crafting a state budget that helps Central New York and tackling issues facing our part of the state. In order to help serve you better, I developed a survey that covers a variety of topics, including the I-81 project and the county-wide shared services initiative, so I know how you stand on these and other issues. I hope you’ll take the time to let me know your thoughts and opinions so I can do a better job getting results for our families.

One of the major issues facing Syracuse and Central New York is the aging I-81 highway, and I think we can all agree that changes are necessary. Three plans have been put forward to rectify the situation: converting to a community grid, rebuilding the viaduct or building a tunnel. The projects vary widely in terms of cost and duration, and it’s important that I have your input as the state moves forward with the selection process.

The county-wide shared services panel – designed to improve cooperation and consolidation – is another important topic when it comes to moving Central New York forward. By eliminating duplicate services and coordinating efforts on a local level, our local governments could reduce waste, increase purchasing power and lower taxes. The governor has proposed making these panels permanent, but we need to look into whether the initiative has delivered results for Central New York taxpayers.

Other measures that would impact Central New York on the legislative agenda this year include ethics and voting reforms, changes to the bail system and reducing the tax burden, especially in response to the new federal tax plan. It’s important that I hear from you as I tackle these and other issues during this year’s session. The survey is available online at www.nyassembly.gov/Stirpe or at my district office at 7293 Buckley Road, Suite 201 in North Syracuse. I encourage everyone to participate and take an active role in our state government.

The 2018 legislative session holds the potential for promising changes for our communities. I’m looking forward to working with Central New Yorkers and our local leaders to develop real solutions to improve life here. If you have any questions or concerns about this, or any other community issue, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 315-452-1115 or at StirpeA@nyassembly.gov.