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MCC trial balloon

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During its July 10 meeting, the Monroe County Legislature will vote on its multi-year plan for county projects, called the Capital Improvement Plan. | This year's plan is controversial because it includes Monroe Community College's move from the Sibley Building in the heart of downtown, to Kodak-owned buildings on State Street. | Rochester Mayor Tom Richards wants the college to stay in the Sibley Building, and Legislature Democrats appear to be behind him. | If the capital plan doesn't use neutral language regarding the downtown campus location, some Lej Democrats say they may not vote for it. | Republicans, who have the majority in the Legislature, can pass the plan on their own. But the December vote to borrow the money to finance the projects in the capital plan is trickier. That requires a two-thirds vote, which means several Democratic votes are necessary. | If enough Democrats won't go along, that could stall not just the campus relocation, but a whole list of county construction projects. | "I don't think anybody in the caucus has made a hard and fast decision," says Democratic Leader Ted O'Brien."