Winner denounces plan to cut wine foundation funding

 State Sen. George Winner, R-Elmira rejected Gov. David Paterson’s plan to eliminate state support for the New York Wine and Grape Foundation.

 In his proposed 2009-10 state budget, Paterson called for the elimination of state funding to support the foundation’s efforts. The foundation received $2.8 million in state aid last year.

“The rise of New York’s wine industry is one of our state’s most remarkable success stories, and the Wine and Grape Foundation has been a driving force behind the success,” Winner said. “To save a few million dollars, the Paterson plan puts at risk a statewide industry that generates billions of dollars in economic activity, accounts for thousands of livelihoods, forms the backbone of Finger Lakes tourism, and brings national and international acclaim to New York.

“It’s a shortsighted proposal, and I’m urging the new Senate leadership to immediately reject it.”

New York is now America’s third-largest wine producing state, with more than 250 wineries statewide. The industry employs 18,000 workers and annually generates $3.4 billion for the state economy. More than three million people visit the state’s wineries every year. One-third of these visitors come from out of state.

Winner said that he will be reaching out to the Paterson administration to urge reconsideration of the proposal, as well as working with legislative colleagues in both houses to restore the state funding.

“We need to take every necessary and reasonable action to address what we all recognize is a serious fiscal crisis, but this specific action would worsen the crisis in the long run,” Winner said.

Winner also is giving residents of the 53rd Senate District the opportunity to share their opinions on Paterson’s plan to eliminate the foundation’s funding through a poll available on his Web site, www.senatorwinner.com.