Letter to the Editor printed in the Eagle Bulletin, Week of August 20, 2025
I want to thank our federal representatives, Congressman John W. Mannion, Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for continuing to stand up for Central NY. Every Democrat in Congress voted against the disastrous Republican Budget Bill that cut funding for the Community Development Block Grant. It also cuts Medicaid, Medicare, food assistance, hurts our hospitals, raises our healthcare premiums, and cancels $30 million for Syracuse neighborhoods. All to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.
My opponent sent a letter to our Democratic federal representatives expressing his opposition to the cuts to the CDBG funding. Yet he didn’t send it to anyone who voted for or signed the bill into law. Spare us the grandstanding, if he really wants to reverse the funding cuts he can send a letter to those responsible for the cuts.
Onondaga County received over $142 million in federal aid this past year. We will shortly learn how these cuts will impact the 2026 budget and what gaps will need to be filled by the state or our county reserves. Not the best time to funnel money into an aquarium when the needs for child care, food assistance and healthcare are increasing across Onondaga County.
We do deserve a federal government that stands with the people in meeting basic needs. Thank you Congressman Mannion for standing up to this administration.
Elaine Denton
Candidate for County Legislator, District 10
Manlius, NY
