Griffo seeks NNY or CNY hearing on cutting deficit

State Sen. Joseph A. Griffo is calling for the addition of a Senate Finance Committee hearing on the governor's deficit reduction plan in Central or Northern New York.

Mr. Griffo, R-Rome, on Monday released a letter he sent to President of the Senate Malcolm Smith and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Carl Kruger suggesting that Mr. Kruger's committee add a hearing to those already scheduled in Erie and Westchester counties, Long Island and New York City.

This region "has been hit the hardest in the long, slow decline of manufacturing jobs" and "remains waiting for the promises of new economic growth to be realized," Mr. Griffo wrote.

"I strongly encourage you to set a time, date and place as soon as possible so that the people of this important region can exercise one of the foremost rights in our democracy — that of speaking out to their elected leaders," he said.