Central Current reporters have conducted policy-focused Q&As with city and county candidates. See what they said.
Chris Libonati
Chris Libonati is the former managing editor of Central Current. He was a founding editorial member of the organization and was hired as Central Current's first reporter. He previously worked at the Syracuse Post-Standard as crime and policing reporter before briefly covering Syracuse City Hall.
Chris was born and raised in a suburb of Rochester before attending Syracuse University.
Posted inAnnouncements
Central Current to host Syracuse mayoral forum
Syracuse mayoral candidates will be interviewed in a free public forum on October 23rd at the Everson Museum’s Hosmer Auditorium.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Syracuse is set to change how it hands businesses tax breaks for the first time since 2016
The tax breaks intend to incentivize development around bus rapid transit routes, in priority neighborhoods and on brownfield sites.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Draft audit of delayed payroll project delivered to Syracuse officials ahead of Thursday meeting
The Common Council on Thursday is meeting about the draft, which will not yet be made public at the time of the meeting.
Posted inNews
Central Current’s Patrick McCarthy appears on ‘Newsmakers’ program to talk Syracuse’s budget spat
McCarthy spoke with NewsChannel 9 reporter Andrew Donovan about this year’s budget cycle, which showed the divisions in city politics.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Democratic mayoral candidates spar over budget, housing and more at Central Current forum
The three Democratic candidates for mayor — Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, Councilor Pat Hogan and Councilor Chol Majok — will be on the ballot in June. On Thursday, they shared a stage to talk about the challenges facing Syracuse.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Mayor Ben Walsh vetoes 45 budget amendments; Common Council to vote whether to override vetoes
Mayor Ben Walsh’s vetoes preserved about $3.3 million of the $16.3 million in cuts made by the Common Council.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
What could the Common Council’s budget amendments mean for code enforcement, police, and public works?
Spending on all three departments has outpaced the rate of inflation in recent years. A Central Current analysis of the council’s cuts reveal different things about each department’s budgets.
Posted inCity of Syracuse
Compromise tough to come by as Walsh, Common Council leaders meet about budget
Councilors and Walsh met Wednesday for the first time since the Common Council voted to slash Walsh’s proposed budget.
Posted inAnnouncements
Welcome to the new Central Current
Introducing a new layout, new logo, and much more to come. Over the coming months, we will be announcing new contributors and new features.
