Syracuse Democratic Councilor Khalid Bey is looking to expand his influence by running for an open at-large seat on the Common Council in November. Bey is the chair of economic development in a city where growth is lacking. The city of Syracuse is ranked last in economic growth out of the top 100 municipalities in the U.S., according to a new study from the Brookings Institution. Bey said it is at the discretion of the mayor of Syracuse, Stephanie Miner, to negotiate and enter business contracts and to decide how to spend the city's money. “That leaves the council only with the ability to approve what the mayor wants to spend or any contract that they may want to enter in and the ability to foster an environment for a business to come," Bey said. "So we write legislation to make it easier to do business. We streamline some permit processes and alike.” Bey said there are good tax agreements being made like the ones with hotel developer Ed Riley to renovate the former Hotel Syracuse and
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