Buffalo Mayor optimistic despite upcoming financial challenges

Buffalo Mayor Christopher Scanlon delivered his State of the City address on Thursday, expressing optimism for the city's future. He celebrated accomplishments during his time on the Buffalo Common Council and the beginning of his term as acting mayor. However, he also acknowledged significant challenges, especially with the city’s financial situation. Scanlon became acting mayor in October when former Mayor Byron W. Brown resigned. He is now running to keep the position. He pointed out recent growth in affordable housing and noted that Buffalo's population showed its first increase in decades, according to the 2020 census. Despite these positive developments, Scanlon warned about a possible budget deficit of around $40 million for the upcoming year. This could mean cuts to city services and increased property taxes. His administration managed to balance the current year's budget with a small surplus, but the long-term outlook remains uncertain. To tackle the budget issues, Scanlon plans to propose a 3% hotel occupancy tax and seek more state funding. He is also focused on improving city services, such as snow removal and street maintenance. He promised residents that he would work to keep neighborhoods safe and clean. Scanlon faces tough competition in the upcoming election, as several candidates have announced their intentions to run, including state Senator Sean Ryan, who received the Erie County Democratic Committee’s endorsement. As the race heats up, Scanlon is exploring strategies to secure his spot on the ballot, which may include running as an independent candidate.