For the first time in over 20 years since the original temporary one-penny sales tax was enacted, the City of Buffalo and local municipalities will receive their deserved cut in the amount of $12.5 million thanks in a large part to the efforts of Erie County Legislator Tim Kennedy.

Kennedy was on the front lines leading the fight to get the sharing approved in the Erie County Legislature, while working cooperatively with newly elected Mayor Byron Brown and New York State’s Western New York delegation including Assemblyman Mark J.F. Schroeder.

“This is another demonstration of positive outcomes that can happen when all levels of Government work together for the betterment of the community,” Kennedy said.

The final tally of the Legislature’s vote was 11-4 in favor of sharing, which only two weeks prior had no where near the amount of votes necessary to pass the legislation.

Legislator Kennedy lobbied relentlessly over that two-week period to garnish the necessary votes from his colleagues to ensure the bill’s passage.

“I am very proud to have played a part in this historic legislation,” Kennedy said, “This is an incredible victory for the City of Buffalo and all municipalities of Erie County.”

The City of Buffalo will receive the most generous amount, totaling upwards of six million dollars. The remainder of the $12.5 million will be disbursed among all other municipalities in Erie County.

The bill will travel to Albany for approval from New York State Legislature. If approved the sharing will be initiated in 2007, twenty-two years after it was initially promised.

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