Jeremy Boyer

6 days ago | syracuse.com | Jeremy Boyer

Syracuse, N.Y. — In a meeting packed with about 100 concerned city employees, the Syracuse Common Council unanimously — and without any discussion — passed more than 80 budget amendments that cut proposed spending by about $16 million. It was the final step in a budget review process that Mayor Ben Walsh said was “unprecedented” in its secrecy, and one that he and his senior staff are taking as a personal affront.

1 week ago | syracuse.com | Jeremy Boyer

Syracuse, N.Y. — The environmental impact of the planned Micron microchip complex north of Syracuse was the most contentious issue at a Wednesday night debate for candidates seeking the Democratic nomination in the city’s mayoral race. Syracuse Common Councilors Chol Majok and Pat Hogan and Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens spent about 50 minutes answering questions related to the environment at a forum hosted by WCNY in partnership with the New York League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.

1 week ago | syracuse.com | Jeremy Boyer

Syracuse, N.Y. — City lawmakers are planning to take an axe to Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh’s budget, cutting millions in proposed spending in an effort to avoid a property tax rate increase. In what long-time Syracuse Common Councilor Pat Hogan called an “unprecedented” level of budget amendments, lawmakers are poised to cut about $16 million from the $348.4 million plan Walsh presented on April 9.

1 week ago | syracuse.com | Jeremy Boyer

Syracuse, N.Y. — At least three more debates in the Syracuse Democratic primary for mayor will take place ahead of the June vote, including one set for Wednesday. Campaigns for Syracuse Common Councilors Chol Majok and Pat Hogan and Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens have confirmed that they’ll be participating in a WCNY debate on the environment this week. They will also attend a forum toward the end of May hosted by Central Current and a WSYR-TV/NewsChannel 9 debate in June.

1 week ago | syracuse.com | Jeremy Boyer

Syracuse, N.Y. — When syracuse.com reporters investigated city property assessments six years ago and found severe inequities favoring wealthier homeowners, Mayor Ben Walsh promised his administration would do something about it. While pushing the city’s assessment department to appraise more properties each year to chip away at the issue, the administration has also worked toward the ultimate solution: an expensive citywide revaluation of more than 40,000 properties.