Last Thursday, with Legislator Kennedy leading the way, the Erie County Legislature voted to override County Executive Joel Giambra's veto of the recently passed Worker Training Law by a margin of 10-4. The refined version came after lengthy committee process in which Kennedy, who has worked diligently to see the laws' passage, met with all sides of the issue for discussion to ensure the bill was a strong compromise.

In a bill first brought to the forefront in 2001, Erie County will now require contractors that intend to do business at taxpayer expense to have a New York State certified Workers Training program in place. This bill will specifically target contracts of $250,000 or more.

"This bill is about providing youth in Western New York opportunities they would otherwise not have if this legislation were not enacted," Kennedy said. "For too many years Erie County has been losing individuals between the ages of 21-35 to other areas of the country. This bill goes against the status quo and moves Erie County in a different direction."

The Legislature also approved roughly $90,000 in "primetime" funds that will go to Buffalo community centers. This was a result of a resolution sponsored by Legislator Kennedy and Majority Leader Maria Whyte to ensure several community centers would not close there doors this summer and several others could maintain summer programs.

Many of these centers lost essential primetime funds during last years budget cuts causing them to reduce hours and eliminate programs benefiting youth. These community centers provide interactive programs that keep kids off the streets and out of trouble.

"It costs taxpayers $70,000 per inmate, per year, to house them at Erie County's holding center," Kennedy said, "If this opportunity keeps one person out of our prison system, it will be well worth the investment. We however expect this to keep many out of trouble and out of our criminal justice system."

Some of the community centers in Kennedy's District that may benefit from this money include Tosh Collins, Machnica, Seneca-Babcock, Old First Ward, and the Valley Community Center, all of which have youth programming including after school programs and summer activities.

A resolution was also adopted eliminating the Section 11 Sanitary Code fee for charitable, philanthropic, religious and municipal corporations in Erie County who provide essential social and human services to the our communities. The newly approved resolution to waive the fees will be effective immediately.

"These organizations are holding events to raise money for the community, asking them to pay fees in upwards of $146 would defeat that purpose," Kennedy said. "These organizations raise money to provide a benefit to the community through services, we should be encouraging that instead of asking them to pay fees that would undermine their fundraising goals and diminish any profit."

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