NY Dem co-chair urges rejection of Cuomo budget

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The co-chairwoman of the state Democratic Party says Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget should be rejected because it doesn't include measures to save upstate cities from insolvency.

Stephanie Miner, who's also the mayor of Syracuse, says Cuomo needs to show leadership by holding a meeting with legislators and local government officials to find ways to ease the burden on local taxpayers. Miner's strongest criticism yet came in an opinion piece in Thursday's New York Times.

Cuomo has offered a plan that would allow governments to bank on projected future savings, but Miner and others have said that's risky.

Cuomo has held what he called "summits" to boost the Greek yogurt and the beer and wine industries, but has so far not called for one on the local government crisis.

©2013 Associated Press