New York Governor Puts Infrastructure Burden On Cities

Who should pay for water infrastructure repairs: states or cities?

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is facing off with a city mayor on this question, which is plaguing policymakers in every region of the country. The issue is a contentious one since the nation's water infrastructure requires an influx of cash to halt its fall into disrepair, but budgets are tight at every level of government.

The estimated cost to replace water mains in Syracuse is $726 million, according to the Daily Orange. "In 2014, there were 391 water main breaks. In the first six weeks of 2015 there have already been 45 water main breaks," the report said.

Despite public pressure, Cuomo has said he has no plans to send millions of dollars to Syracuse to fund an overhaul of its water system. Cuomo explained the decision in an interview with Syracuse Media Group.

"Because you are going bankrupt," Cuomo said of Syracuse, speaking metaphorically. "You are unsustainable. You need jobs, an economy, business."

"The upstate cities have to be stronger economically. They have to do better," Cuomo said, per the report.

Cuomo is advocating for these cities to shoulder their own cost burdens.

"He wants Syracuse and other urban centers to come up with their own plans to fix themselves. Those plans should include job creation, strengthening regional economies and rebuilding local tax revenues," the report said.

Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner did not seem impressed with the governor's remarks.

"He is the governor of New York," Miner said, per the report. "The infrastructure of the Tappan Zee Bridge is important. But so are the roads in Syracuse. To come upstate and say: Find some developers, then fix your own water mains? I find a complete inconsistency in his message."

Miner may have better luck lobbying the federal government for funding.

"Only days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he won't help fix Syracuse's crumbling water pipes, Mayor Stephanie Miner heard a more receptive tone from U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY," Syracuse Media Group reported.

Miner met with Schumer at his Capitol Hill office this month. He said she may be able to get funding via an infrastructure bill that could get approved later this year.

"The legislation could help provide federal loans or grants to Syracuse, jump-starting a long-term project," the report said.

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