Newly elected Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos (R, Rockville Centre) is in town today at the request of State Senator John A. DeFrancisco (R-I-C-WF, Syracuse). This afternoon Senator Skelos joined Senator DeFrancisco at the Oncenter to meet with leaders from the local business community to discuss issues that impact Central New York.

"I am very pleased that Senator Skelos has made Central New York a priority," said Senator DeFrancisco. "By meeting with local leaders and listening to their concerns he is taking a proactive approach to addressing the issues we all face. I am confident that Senator Skelos will follow through with his commitment to Upstate New York and that we will see positive results from this early visit."

"I have made it very clear that my priorities are property tax relief and revitalizing the Upstate economy," said Senator Skelos. "We have to deliver real results that will bring new businesses and new jobs to Upstate New York, provide more economic and financial security to families and relief for hardworking taxpayers. I conducted this tour of Upstate cities because I wanted to listen to the concerns and recommendations of community leaders about how we can provide greater job security now and more career opportunities for our children tomorrow."

Senator Skelos has been visiting cities across Upstate New York to meet with community leaders and to work with his colleagues in the Senate Majority and their constituents to address their needs and concerns, particularly in the critical areas of job creation and property tax relief. Last week Senator Skelos visited Buffalo and Rochester and this week he traveled to Utica, Binghamton and Syracuse.