ROME, NEW YORK - Rome City Hall opened its Common Council Chambers to Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica) last night for a Town Hall Session. Residents filled the room to have questions and concerns addressed by Buttenschon. Also in attendance were members of the Rome City School Board, Rome Common Council, David W. Lundquist, the new CEO of Rome Memorial Hospital, and the Mayor of Rome, Jacqeline M. Izzo, welcomed all to the chamber.

Discussion took place regarding education, economic development, business owner concerns and taxes.

Foundation Aid was an important concern to which Buttenschon was thanked for her support of Rome Schools. Rome City School District took the largest hit of all schools in our area. "I asked the Education Chair to create a subcommittee to oversee and clarify the process of Foundation Aid," Buttenschon said. "In 2008, the Foundation Aid formula may have made sense. It was brought forward so the districts could have predictability in funding. But today, The formula doesn’t make sense. Thus, a subcommittee will be charged with bringing forth transparency and making sure the Foundation Aid formulas is understood by those that request an understanding ."

Buttenschon will be hosting two more Town Hall Sessions this week, Tuesday, April 23rd at the Village of Whitesboro Fire Department, and Thursday, April 25th at the Marcy Town Hall.

Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon is a New York State Assembly Member covering the 119th District which encompasses much of the Mohawk Valley.