In Cortland visit, Senator Seward outlines legislative priorities

New York State Sen. James Seward [R-Oneonta] addressing local lawmakers and community stakeholders in the Cortland County Legislature chambers Thursday morning (Photo: Peter Blanchard/Cortland Voice)

CORTLAND, N.Y. — High property taxes, a declining upstate New York populace and the heroin and opioid crisis are some of the key issues that New York State Sen. James Seward plans to address in 2017.

The senator held a press conference in the chambers of the Cortland County Legislature Thursday morning to outline what he says are his legislative priorities for the year.

Seward, who was recently elected to a sixteenth term in office, has served in the Senate for more than three decades. He represents the 51st senate district, which includes Cortland, Greene, Herkimer, Otsego and Schoharie counties and portions of Tompkins, Chenango and Ulster counties.

Highlighting the importance of economic development and job creation in retaining residents, Seward noted that more people are leaving upstate New York than are arriving. A recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that more than 30,000 people have left New York state since 2010.

"When I look at this report, I say this is a wakeup call," Seward said, adding that a majority of people are leaving upstate New York to pursue greater economic opportunities outside the Empire State. He presented possible solutions for reversing this trend, including broad-based tax relief programs and greater workforce training opportunities to connect educators with employers.

Legislator Amy Cobb, who is also a real estate agent, said high property taxes are driving people away from the region.

"They can't afford to stay here," Cobb said. "It's sad when your tax payment is more than the principal and interest of your mortgage."

James Denkeberger, also a county legislator, posed a poignant question to Seward: What will motivate young people to stay in the area?

"Obviously, they're looking for a job and an opportunity to generate income," Seward said. "It's also quality of life issues. They like to live in a community that is vibrant, where you can walk to entertainment venues and restaurants."

Denkeberger said the county rarely realizes the benefits of the many students they help prepare for the workforce, whether through SUNY Cortland, Tompkins Cortland Community College or a high school or vocational program.

"We spend literally millions every year to educate kids who then move away," Denkeberger said. "That community that they've moved to gains the benefit of all that education that we paid for."

Seward said he also plans to address the heroin crisis in New York State. He serves on the Senate's Joint Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Addiction and has been vocal on the issue since the task force was formed in 2014.

"The heroin crisis has reached every segment of our population and is destroying individuals, families and communities," he said.

Going forward, Seward said the state should "target drug kingpins who profit and prey on the addiction of others" while also increasing access to treatment and recovery for drug users.