April 14, 2022

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free

thursday

april 14, 2022 high 70°, low 41°

t h e i n de p e n de n t s t u de n t n e w s pa p e r of s y r a c u s e , n e w yor k |

dailyorange.com

N • History in context

S • Coast to coast impact

Two Syracuse University students, Maggie Sardino and Mehak Saroha, co-directed a short film detailing the history of the city’s historical 15th Ward and Interstate 81. Page 3

Tucker Dordevic’s lacrosse career has spanned from the “non-hotbed” area of Oregon to Syracuse, where he leads the team in goals. Page 12

$294 million

Breaking down Mayor Ben Walsh’s budget for fiscal year 2023

FRONT PAGE Walsh’s budget proposal establishes that the university will pay the city of Syracuse, through tax revenue and service agreements, over $2.5 million. There is also half a million dollars allocated for University Neighborhood Grants. will fudge staff photographer

By Kyle Chouinard

S

asst. news editor

yracuse Mayor Ben Walsh unveiled his proposed city budget for the 2023 fiscal year to the Syracuse Common Council on Monday. While giving the presentation, a series of signs were presented across the room. On one of the signs, Walsh highlighted an increasing tax base, a lack of a property tax increase and a budget totaling over $294 million. But Walsh said in the presentation that under his proposal for fiscal year 2023, which will last from July 2022 to June 2023, the city

will be running a deficit. Walsh also said during the press conference that there will be no increase in property taxes with the proposed budget. “Working together, we have made tremendous progress to fiscal sustainability for city government,” Walsh said while addressing the council. “This budget stands on that progress.” Syracuse University appears multiple times on Walsh’s proposed budget. One of the largest changes related to the university will be an increase in SU’s supplemental service payment to the city. SU’s payment was $1 million in fiscal year 2022, but Walsh’s proposal would have the

university paying $1.5 million in fiscal year 2023. Other revenue sources for the city from SU will remain at their fiscal year 2022 levels for fiscal year 2023 under Walsh’s budget. The SU service agreement will remain at $500,000 and tax revenue from the Carrier Dome will remain at $100,000. The Carrier Dome traffic reimbursement will also remain at $420,000. There is also $500,000 allocated for University Neighborhood Grants in fiscal year 2023, the same amount as fiscal year 2022. Another one of Walsh’s signs during his presentation to the Common Council was labeled “A see

budget page 4

state

Lt. Gov. Benjamin resigns following arrest, bribery charge By Kyle Chouinard asst. news editor

New York State Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned from his office on Tuesday after being arrested on bribery charges earlier in the day. In a press conference held by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York,

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams detailed the crimes Benjamin has been charged with. While serving as a state senator, Benjamin and another party labeled by the U.S. Attorney as “CC-1” engaged in a bribe, Williams said in the press conference Tuesday afternoon. Williams said Benjamin directed $50,000 in state grants to a non-

profit run by CC-1 in exchange for campaign donations during his time as state senator. He served as a state senator from 2017 to 2021. “Taxpayer money for campaign contributions. ‘Quid pro quo,’ this for that. That’s bribery, plain and simple,” Williams said. Williams also said that following the bribery scheme, Benjamin

falsified campaign forms and misled New York City regulators to cover up the act. Benjamin pleaded not guilty on the charges. Prior to Benjamin’s resignation, State Senator Rachel May was one of the first Democrats in the State Senate to say Benjamin should step down.

“I am very sad to hear this news, but I firmly believe we need accountability at all levels of government,” May, who represents Syracuse, said to The Daily Orange in an email statement. “These allegations, if true, are inconsistent with the spirit of public service, and I believe that LG Benjamin should resign.” see

resignation page 4


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