Each Thursday, we put one of our local newsmakers On The Spot. This week: U.S. Rep.-elect Dan Maffei

This week's question: What will be your first priority when you take office?

My primary concern is making sure central and upstate New York's economy is helped as much as possible by whatever solutions are agreed upon between Congress and the Obama administration.

I have a few priorities I would like to see implemented as quickly as possible that I think could really help in our area.

First, as I often discussed during the election, Syracuse has a federal “empowerment zone” designation, which is intended to encourage economic growth in urban areas by giving tax credits and bonds to local employers.

For a number of reasons, the legislation as written has not been as useful as it could be. When it is up for renewal this year I would like improvements to make it more beneficial for Syracuse.

We also could benefit from new investments in infrastructure such as Interstate 81, other area roads and bridges and the Erie Canal, as well as alternative fuel research and development.

Interstate 81 is going to require major renovation in the next few years, and with federal assistance, undertaking such a project could help reinvigorate our construction industry.

Central and upstate New York are also uniquely positioned to become leaders in alternative fuel research and development.

We are home to an emerging biofuel industry and have access to natural, renewable resources and local universities conducting research in this area.

If the federal government is prepared to make a substantial investment in moving the nation off of foreign fossil fuel, our area could reap the economic and environmental benefits.

Obviously, there is much to be done.

I look forward to hitting the ground running as soon as I am sworn into Congress in January.

There is a tangible desire for change right now, from our area and the country, and the actions that our leaders in Washington take over the coming months will be critical.

If you have an On The Spot

question, call news editor Mike Dowd at 253-5311 ext. 234 or e-mail michael.dowd@lee.net