2016 Predictions

1. 2016 Predictions
The Rochesterian

2. Performing Arts Center Moves Ahead
Mayor Lovely Warren has made no secret of the fact she wants a theater at
Midtown. A feasibility study is due in June. It will recommend going ahead with the
theater and attach dollar figures for construction and operation.

3. Lowengard Stays Through 2016
The Rochester school board discovers finding a superintendent is no easy task.
The interim, Daniel Lowengard will remain through the year.

4. Slaughter Wins
Rep. Louise Slaughter wins reelection in another squeaker against Gates Town
Supervisor Mark Assini. She’s bolstered by city turnout, which is always stronger
in a presidential year. It will be her final term.

5. Uber and Lyft Allowed in Upstate New York
The ride-sharing companies succeed in getting the state legislature to allow them
to do business in Rochester and other Upstate cities.

6. Turn Out for Tom Reemerges
With the election of former police chief Jim Sheppard to the County Legislature
and Molly Clifford to City Council, expect to see some maneuvering against Lovely
Warren in the coming year. Many believe Sheppard will challenge Lovely Warren
in 2017. She has a huge war chest and a solid base of voters. Can Sheppard chip
away enough votes to bear her? The picture will be clearer by the end of the year.

7. Opt Outs Remain Strong
If the governor thought parents would be placated by his walkback of Common
Core, testing frequency and teacher evaluations, think again. The next round of
state tests will show just how hard it is to win back trust.

8. Not Much Happens With Photonics
The thousands of promised jobs will not materialize anytime soon. By the end of
2016, we will have fewer than 100 people working on the new institute. Attempts
to get answers on spending, timeline and projects will be stonewalled.

9. Red Light Cameras Go Away
This won’t actually happen until 2017. But the city’s contract with Redflex expires
at the end of 2016. City Council will be hard-pressed to continue the unpopular
program. The mayor, possibly facing a reelection fight, will recommend nixing the
cameras in a bid to gain voters.

10. Casino Mania
With Lago poised to open, the Senecas will take a hard look at Rochester. They
will get a warm reception from City Hall.

11. Business as Usual in Albany
Despite the convictions of Dean Skelos and Sheldon Silver, the state legislature
will not pass meaningful ethics reform or close the LLC loophole. U.S. Attorney
Preet Bharara may snag his biggest fish yet. But it’s more likely reform will come
from voters who may throw at least some of the bums out.