Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Molitor sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul urging her to include enabling legislation establishing a state financial control board for the City of Dunkirk in her forthcoming 30-day budget amendments.

The lawmakers said the recent arrest of Dunkirk’s former treasurer on charges of allegedly stealing more than $120,000 from taxpayers, the second such case involving a city official in recent years, underscores the depth of the city’s governance and oversight failures.

“Dunkirk’s problems are systemic and ongoing,” Borrello said Friday. “The city needs more than short-term loans. It needs real, independent oversight, fiscal discipline, and a credible framework to restore transparency and public trust.”

Molitor said a control board is the most responsible way to protect taxpayers and stabilize the city’s finances.

“The State Comptroller has repeatedly warned about Dunkirk’s deteriorating financial condition and poor recordkeeping. A control board would provide the expertise and accountability needed to finally put the city on a sustainable path forward,” he said.

In their letter, the legislators note that while the state’s $13.7 million loan has provided a temporary lifeline, it does not address the structural problems that allowed years of mismanagement and oversight failures to continue unchecked. They argue that a state financial control board would ensure long-term stability while preventing future abuses.

“Including a financial control board in the 30-day budget amendments would send a clear message that the state is serious about fixing the root causes of this crisis and not just papering over the symptoms,” Borrello said.