Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor have formally requested Governor Kathy Hochul to veto a bill that would permit a $13.7 million state-backed loan to the City of Dunkirk. The legislators expressed concerns that this financial plan could impose nearly $10 million in interest over 15 years on city taxpayers while eliminating the city’s $1.5 million annual Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding.
Senator Borrello stated, “This isn’t a rescue, it’s a high-interest burden that will worsen the city’s fiscal standing.” He emphasized the need for “structure and discipline” rather than another loan perceived as rewarding failure. Borrello also mentioned feedback from city residents who are worried about the proposal, viewing it as a temporary fix with long-term negative impacts.
Assemblyman Molitor highlighted growing bipartisan opposition among local officials, noting that three out of five Dunkirk City Council members—Nancy Nichols, James Stoyle, and Abigail Zatorski—oppose the bill. Chautauqua County Legislator Bob Bankowski has also voiced his concerns. Molitor remarked, “They want and deserve real solutions, not another fiscal band-aid that kicks the can down the road.”
Borrello criticized the legislative process behind the bill, pointing out that it was advanced by New York City lawmakers unfamiliar with Dunkirk’s situation and bypassed standard procedural practices like receiving a home rule message.
The two lawmakers are advocating for an alternative proposal, S.7497/A.8019, which aims to establish an independent financial control board to help guide Dunkirk toward fiscal stability.
A copy of their letter to Governor Hochul accompanies their request.
