Members of the Rockland Business Association attended a luncheon Monday in Pearl River to get some advice from Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) amid a grim economic landscape.

The economic downturn has forced local governments and businesses to ask the federal government for help. Sen. Schumer says billions of federal dollars should be going to "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects in Rockland County soon after the new president, Barack Obama, takes office. However, he says that higher taxes should not accompany any stimulus package.

"Well, I think during a recession it's a bad time to raise taxes," Schumer says.