Mo’s Thoughts on Current Events

That is what makes this endorsement feel so special.

To have someone who helped define one of the most important political movements of my lifetime look at me and say that I am someone who can help carry this work forward means a great deal to me.

Especially because I have seen firsthand how often institutions resist generational change instead of embracing it.

According to a recent NPR report, communities nationwide are raising alarms over rising utility costs, increased water usage, noise pollution, environmental degradation, and secrecy around how many of these projects are negotiated. In Louisiana, residents near a Meta data center reported concerns about discolored drinking water after construction began. In other states, residents have pushed local governments to reject projects entirely because they fear long-term environmental damage and higher household costs.

But Syracuse also faces a challenge that makes its financial situation even more complicated. Roughly half of the parcels in the city are tax exempt, which significantly limits the city’s ability to generate property tax revenue. Major institutions like Syracuse University and large hospital systems such as SUNY Upstate Medical University and St. Joseph's Health occupy valuable real estate while contributing little or no property tax revenue because of their tax exempt status.

These institutions are important anchors in our community, but it creates a difficult reality for city government when so much prime land is removed from the tax rolls while residents are still expected to carry the burden of funding essential services.

If we are serious about economic development, then we must be equally serious about protecting the natural resources that make this region livable in the first place. Central New York should not be forced to choose between economic growth and environmental protection. We need both. Institutions like SUNY ESF make both possible.

That’s why now is the wrong time to cut funding. It is time to protect what makes this region special and invest in the people who will protect it for generations to come.

We had enough information last year to know this was a bad idea. We had enough information to understand that allowing large sums of private money to move around a major public project without stronger guardrails could create transparency concerns. We had enough information to prevent what ultimately happened.

Instead, 11 of my colleagues voted to move forward anyway and only changed course after the consequences became impossible to ignore.

It started with reporting that a “secret donor” connected to the aquarium project was actually Onondaga County itself. That raised immediate concerns about transparency and whether public dollars were being routed in a way that avoided clear public accountability. For a lot of legislators, myself included, that moment shifted the conversation from general unease to very specific questions about how this project is being handled.

That led directly to calls from our Democratic Caucus for more oversight of donations tied to the aquarium. The core issue here is simple. If public money is involved, directly or indirectly, then the public deserves to know how it’s being used and who is making those decisions. The lack of clarity has created real tension between the legislature and the executive’s office.

This moment requires leadership that not only meets it, but makes the most of it. We have a rare opportunity to shape Syracuse’s future in a way that delivers real, lasting benefits for our community. I believe I am prepared to do that work, and with your support, we can make sure this moment leads to the outcomes our city deserves.

I strongly oppose what is happening at the federal level on immigration.

Not just because of the methods, which are cruel and in many cases inhumane, but because the entire premise is wrong. Immigration is not a crisis that is destroying our communities. Immigration is, and has always been, one of the reasons this country works at all.

Jo Bennett is stepping forward as a candidate grounded in real community experience. Their campaign is rooted in listening to residents, understanding local challenges, and making sure government reflects the needs of the people it serves.

They are running because too many people feel disconnected from local government. Jo believes representation should be accessible, responsive, and focused on delivering results that improve daily life.

Tammy is a lifelong resident of Onondaga County who has spent more than 15 years in public service. She worked for over a decade with the Onondaga County Department of Social Services and now serves at the New York State Department of Health.

Her experience is not just inside the government. Tammy has also been a leader in organized labor, serving in multiple union roles including Executive Vice President of Local 834, representing thousands of public employees across the county and city.

Supporting the aquarium moving forward does not mean I believe it was the right investment. We got the idea wrong, but we got the scale right. Investing over 100 million dollars into Syracuse isn't a bad thing. The problem is that we don't need an Aquarium, what we need is an Aquarium-sized investment into affordable Housing, childcare and essential services are community needs to restore our social safety net.

At its core, the housing crisis is a basic supply and demand issue.

For years, housing construction has lagged behind population needs while much of our existing housing stock has aged and deteriorated. The result is simple: there are not enough homes available for the people who need them.

If we want to bring housing costs down and stabilize neighborhoods, we need to increase supply.

Another good moment recently was attending a Tax the Rich rally. I have said before that I am sometimes skeptical about the electoral impact of rallies and protests. I am not always convinced a rally alone changes votes or passes laws. But there is another impact that is harder to measure.Being around people who care deeply about fairness, dignity, and building a better economy does something to your spirit. It reminds you that you are not alone in wanting a better system.

Our bus service remains unreliable, even though our district’s representative chairs the Assembly Transportation Committee. If we cannot deliver dependable public transit with that level of influence, something is not working. Or as the young people would say, “The math is not mathing”

I posted about the idea that we really have two Syracuses. They coexist within the same municipal lines but experience completely different realities. In reality, there are probably far more than 2 Syracuse’s; however, it’s always jarring to me how close we live to each other while remaining so far from one another.

While I am honored, they view me to be so influential, I think referring to the entire Democratic caucus as “Far Left Chaos” says far more about their approach than it does about ours. For what it is worth, it is also an elite trivia team name, and I will absolutely be using it if I find myself at trivia night anytime soon.

Credit should be given when it is due. Hosting a candidate information session, advertising it openly, and putting the process on the table is a positive move. It is not the finish line, but it is a step in the right direction.

I am asking questions, getting feedback, learning about the incumbent, learning more about myself, and trying to understand how different people see this race playing out. An exploration is a long conversation where you ask for many perspectives, and you listen carefully to what they say back.

The final session of 2025 brings a full slate of committee meetings at the Legislature. Here is a breakdown of what each committee will discuss, organized by date and time. We’re going to discuss board appointments at committee this month instead of straight to session, but there’s a complete

A lot is happening at once. Government decisions, political departures, new campaigns, and conversations about what comes next. I will continue to keep you updated as we move through the December 2 vote and into the early stages of the 2026 cycle. Our county is at a moment of transition and clarity matters.

The excitement of the election and the chair nominations has overshadowed the fact that we still have work to accomplish.

The legislature has a lighter committee week, but there are still a few items that will shape our parks, wastewater infrastructure, and support for children and families.

Here is what we are going to evaluate this week:

Locally, we had significant victories. We flipped the Onondaga County Legislature for the first time in over 4 decades. We won in the city of Syracuse, but we also won in Salina, Dewitt, Manlius, Geddes, and Skaneateles among other places. Across the country we saw it as well. Virginia, New Jersey, New York City to name a few.

Food stamps are being cut again, and it’s wrong. SNAP isn’t about laziness, it’s about survival. When we decide that struggling families don’t deserve support, we’re choosing cruelty over community.

If we continue to undervalue the people who make our healthcare system function, we will lose the workers who care for our loved ones. We cannot build strong healthcare systems by underpaying the people who make them work.

At Tuesday’s Public Safety Committee meeting, legislators heard updates from Emergency Management and Emergency Communications, two departments that play a critical role in how our county responds when residents call for help.

Every protest, every march, every chant for justice means nothing if we don’t carry that same energy to the ballot box. Real change doesn’t stop in the streets; it shows up on Election Day. Voting is the most direct way to make your voice heard, shape policy, and hold power accountable.

Every budget reveals who we choose to see and who we ignore. The 2026 budget shows we are still looking away from families in crisis. My hope is that by calling that out publicly, by naming what we could have done, we move closer to a county that matches its values with its spending

We reviewed a request for a SEQRA Negative Declaration for upgrades at the existing Oak Orchard wastewater campus. The County Executive’s administration presented this as work inside a previously disturbed footprint that adds capacity for homes and businesses. If that is correct and impacts are not significant, a negative declaration may be appropriate. My focus was to place key issues on the record and to ask for public facing steps before final approval. We did not vote on the Declaration, instead we used all of the time to get important questions answered.

We have a chance in Syracuse to elect a mayor who listens, leads, and builds from the ground up. Sharon Owens is ready for that job. She understands this city because she has lived it, worked in it, and served it. Together, we can help her move Syracuse forward.

Endorsements are about more than politics. They represent trust, collaboration, and a shared vision for Onondaga County. I’m proud to be endorsed by local leaders who believe in our work, and I’m equally proud to support other candidates who are stepping up for our community this election season.

Every once in a while, I want to pause and give a full update, a basic rundown of what I have been working on, what has been happening politically, and what has been going on in my own life. Right now, we are deep in budget season at the county legislature, I have been active with campaigns and endorsements, and I have even found some time for community events and personal interests. Here is where things stand as of September 29th 2025

Our community thrives when we support one another, not when we tear each other apart. These raids fracture families and communities for no real gain. It is a tragedy that could have been avoided with a better approach.

The Onondaga County Legislature met on September 2nd, 2025 for our September session. I voted yes on all of the agenda items. Here are some highlights

Budget season in Onondaga County is not just about numbers. It is a structured process where every department, agency, and legislator has the chance to lay out priorities, push for amendments, and ultimately shape how taxpayer dollars are spent. It’s the primary function of the County Legislature, and my most important job as your county legislator. This year’s schedule has already been released, and I want to walk through both how the process works and what I hope we can accomplish.

For years, Republicans have leaned on this tactic: do not answer the hard question, change the subject. Donald Trump did it every time Epstein’s name came up. Locally, we see it when County Executive Ryan McMahon is challenged about using lake cleanup funds for his aquarium project. Nationally, we see it whenever the conversation gets uncomfortable.

The goal is not understanding. The goal is distraction, agitation, and frustration.

I’m making a proactive state to simply give more updates on the day to day work of legislators.  Yesterday August 19th 2025, the Onondaga County Legislature’s committees met to review a wide range of issues, from sewer system upgrades to library improvements and a major public safety grant. Here’s a recap of the highlights.

Even if the aquarium and movie studio concept worked perfectly, the optics are horrible. Imagine telling struggling families, homeless children, or parents waiting at food pantries that the county’s priority is a fish tank that occasionally hosts a film crew. The optics say: you do not matter. We are going to use your money to build a fish tank, and if movie stars film at your fish tank, we’re going to use your money to pay for their expenses. TF?

Hundreds of New American families in Syracuse rely on InterFaith Works and Catholic Charities for help with the most basic parts of starting life here. That includes finding housing, enrolling children in school, learning English, and connecting to jobs. Since January, federal funding for refugee resettlement has been halted or delayed, forcing these agencies to cut services and staff. The result is simple: families who came here for safety are left with fewer resources to build their new lives.

If you’ve ever thought about working with heavy machinery, now’s your chance to take the first step. OCM BOCES is hosting an upcoming information session for their part-time Heavy Equipment Operating Class on Tuesday August 26th 2025

It was an inspiring gathering of organizers, electeds, and community leaders from all corners of New York. I had the honor of introducing Syracuse Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens as one of the weekend’s featured speakers, a proud moment for our city and a recognition of the kind of leadership we bring to the table.

The MTP is basically a 25-year blueprint for how we’re going to move. That includes cars, buses, bikes, trains, and walking. It gets updated every five years, and the current draft includes everything from infrastructure and land use data to equity concerns and climate considerations.

But after sitting with it, I said fine. Let’s talk democracy reform. Because if I’m being honest, I’m questioning the job we’re doing too. The public deserves better from all of us, and maybe putting this question to voters is the accountability moment we need.

For over a year, Onondaga County has been extending a state of emergency — but it’s not about the housing crisis, lead contamination, or infrastructure. It’s about blocking the arrival of migrants. Meanwhile, other counties are actually doing the work.

23 million dollars on a brand new building. Plot twist: it turns out it cannot actually be used because the air inside is so toxic that workers are not even allowed to enter.

When people don’t comment, agencies assume there is no concern. But when communities speak up, agencies are obligated to take note.

Campaign spending is often treated like a scoreboard. Who raised the most? Who had the biggest mail piece? Who bought the most ads? But the truth is, how you spend matters just as much as how much you raise.goes here

On February 6th, 2024, Onondaga County Legislators had to decide whether to spend $100,000 on a lawsuit against the state legislature's decision to move all elections to even years. There's been a lot of talk about whether this change in election timing is good or bad, but our decision was largely focused on the lawsuit itself.

I want to be as clear as possible in my opposition to the pending aquarium project. This is a horrendous decision that will have negative consequences for generations to come. I do not agree with spending over 100 million dollars for an Aquarium.

On June 11th 2023 the CNY Solidarity Coalition hosted a public forum featuring Mo & his opponent.

The black maternal health crisis has many underlying factors, including systemic racism, socioeconomic disparities, and limited access to healthcare services.

With the arrival of Micron, and the growth of our health programs we need to ensure everyone in our community has access to those opportunities.

Assemblywoman Pam Hunter deserves our thanks for her leadership and commitment to protecting the rights of tenants.