Biden advisor promotes infrastructure at Upstate homecoming
Editorial StaffThe Facts -
- Tom Perez, White House director of intergovernmental affairs, toured projects funded by the federal infrastructure law in Syracuse and Buffalo.
- Local leaders claim projects such as the I-81 viaduct and Kensington Expressway have contributed to racial inequity and poverty in their communities.
- Perez emphasized equity and listening to communities, promising a fair review for all pending grant proposals for infrastructure projects.
Presidential Advisor Tom Perez Tours Infrastructure Projects in Western New York
On Tuesday, Tom Perez, the White House director of intergovernmental affairs and Western New York native, returned home to tour projects partially funded by the bipartisan federal infrastructure law. His day started in Syracuse before heading to Buffalo, all while embracing the potential of these cities.
"This is a moment of incredible opportunity for gritty cities like Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester," Perez said.
During his tour, Perez observed the utilization of millions of federal dollars to fund significant infrastructure projects. These include the teardown of the I-81 viaduct in Syracuse and a partial coverage of the Kensington Expressway in Buffalo.
Perez acknowledged the positive impact for New York, citing the compelling project in Syracuse, which President Biden has previously spotlighted. He stated, "When the president introduced the notion of reconnecting communities, Syracuse was a prime example."
Perez also spoke about addressing racial inequality and poverty caused by the division of communities by the I-81 viaduct and the Kensington Expressway. He emphasized the importance of community consults to determine the way forward.
As part of his visit, Perez inspected other infrastructure projects in Buffalo such as the expansion of an initiative to return cars to Main Street and improvements to the Jefferson Avenue streetscape. He also visited the site of the racially motivated mass shooting at a Tops Supermarket, acknowledging the push for equity in President Biden's agenda.
In this election year, the administration is promoting its achievements such as the infrastructure bill and the passage of the CHIPS and Science act. However, Perez stated that his visit was not politically motivated and praised the support from Gov. Hochul, Sen. Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand.
"It's not about red and blue," he stated. "It's about red, white, and blue."
Perez also highlighted the strong representation New York enjoys within the federal government, with several powerful figures of the Democratic conference hailing from the state.
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