SCHUMER REACHES HALF-WAY POINT OF PLEDGE TO VISIT ALL 62 NEW YORK COUNTIES

US Senator Charles E. Schumer reached the halfway point of his pledge to visit all 62 New York counties after only three months in office. Throughout his visits to 31 counties, Schumer has talked with thousands of individuals about the issues and concerns important to them and their communities. He has made revitalization of Upstate's economy, and returning wellpaying jobs to Upstate, his top priority in the Senate.

"Upstate New York should be a thriving region," said Schumer. "It is a wonderful place to live, with excellent schools and a dedicated and highly educated workforce. But high power costs, skyhigh airfares and property taxes that are through the roof make businesses reluctant to locate there. I am committed to changing this."

During his visits, Schumer has met with residents, business leaders and elected officials in communities in 31 of New York's 62 counties. So far, Schumer has held office hours in cities and towns like Utica, Cortland and Amsterdam in order to meet directly with citizens, and hear what issues matter most to them.

Chambers of Commerce in seven counties Broome, Chautauqua, Genessee, Orleans, Rockland, Schenectady and Wayne have hosted Schumer to discuss ways to reinvigorate the local and regional economies.

Schumer's visits have brought him to factories throughout Upstate, where he talks with business leaders representing international manufacturers, like Kodak, and small businesses, like Batavia's Offhaus Farms dairy, looking to learn from businesses of all sizes ways that will help Upstate.

He has conferred with numerous elected officials throughout Upstate for ways government can help spur the economy back to health. Schumer is focused on getting lowcost, regular air service to Upstate. There have been promising developments in this effort, with New Air, TIE Air and Shuttle America announcing their plans to serve Upstate markets.

In Buffalo, Schumer has worked with Sen. Moynihan in support of a replacement for the Peace Bridge, which can help reestablish the city as an international business center as commerce will flow more readily between Canada and the Northeastern United States. In Oneida, Madison and Cayuga counties, Schumer has taken a lead role in the effort to remove landowners from Indian Land Claim lawsuits.

Schumer has opened 4 regional offices Upstate Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse and has held public forums in cities and towns across the state, including Auburn, Rochester and Glens Falls, in order to reach out to residents and listen to their concerns and ideas.

"Since my election, I have been working tirelessly to let all New Yorkers know that my door is always open," said Schumer. "Every time I travel to a different county, I learn something new ideas that I can bring back to Washington that help me better serve the people of New York State."

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Following is a list of the 31 counties Schumer has visited, with the date of his first appearance: