GOP Senator Slams Plan to Move Regional Welcome Center to Auburn

Proposal seen as political move by some, but supporters say it's about economic development.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 8:52am

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A Republican state senator is criticizing a proposal to relocate a regional welcome center from Syracuse to Auburn, calling it a political move that benefits a Democrat-leaning area. However, the bill's Democratic sponsor argues the effort is about economic development and correcting the state's earlier decision to abandon Auburn as the original site.

Why it matters

The debate over the welcome center's location highlights partisan divisions in the state legislature and the ongoing tensions between urban and rural economic development priorities.

The details

Sen. Mark Walczyk, a Republican, argued that the current Syracuse location at Destiny USA draws far more visitors than the proposed Auburn site. But Sen. Rachel May, the Democratic sponsor of the bill, pushed back, saying the effort is about boosting economic development in Auburn. The Senate passed the bill 47-15 with some Republican support, but it has stalled in the Assembly without a floor vote.

  • The Senate passed the bill on March 17, 2026.
  • The bill is currently stalled in the Assembly without a floor vote.

The players

Sen. Mark Walczyk

A Republican state senator who is criticizing the proposal to move the regional welcome center to Auburn.

Sen. Rachel May

The Democratic sponsor of the bill to relocate the welcome center to Auburn, arguing it is about economic development.

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What they’re saying

“The effort is about economic development and correcting the state's earlier decision to abandon Auburn as the original site.”

— Sen. Rachel May, Bill Sponsor

“The plan benefits a Democrat-leaning site and the current Syracuse location at Destiny USA draws far more visitors.”

— Sen. Mark Walczyk

What’s next

The bill must still pass the Assembly before it can become law.

The takeaway

The debate over the welcome center's location highlights the ongoing partisan divisions in the state legislature and the challenges of balancing economic development priorities across different regions.