×

Cuomo’s Arrival Could Be A Welcome One

Gov. Andrew Cuomo will visit Jamestown today to get a firsthand look at what the state’s $9 million investment is building at the corner of Second and Washington streets.

He could make the day a complete success, however, by signing a law approved by the state Senate and Assembly before the end of the legislative session and formally rescind the remaining $2.9 million Panama Central School owes the state Education Department. Passage of such legislation has been common. Getting the governor — whether it was Gov. David Paterson or Eliot Spitzer — to sign it has been more difficult. Panama is a different case than many.

Thanks to state Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown, and state Sen. Catharine Young, R-Olean, the district gets $500,000 in additional state aid that is then paid back to the state Education Department. While the fine is hanging over the district and could be a problem if the additional state aid is ever not included in the budget, the state could save itself $500,000 a year by rescinding the fine and ending the additional payment. Rescinding the fine is good policy for the governor, too, since Panama is in active merger discussions with Clymer. The fine has been a topic of discussion during merger meetings, particularly from Clymer residents.

It would be ironic if the state’s fine against Panama was the reason a merger was voted down if Cuomo vetoes legislation that would have removed the fine from the equation. The governor has more good sense than that, though. What better time to announce his signature on the Goodell and Young bill than today in Jamestown?

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today