When an item comes before the Legislature for a vote, I ask myself a simple question: "How will this benefit the Taxpayers of Erie County?" If the answer is that it will likely promote economic development, significantly improve the quality of life or protect the safety and well being of Erie County residents, then I will vote to approve the item. It is an obvious question to ask in a government created, as Abraham Lincoln once stated, "by the people and for the people." I encourage my colleagues to ask themselves the same question before voting on items.

Unfortunately, it does not seem that this question is asked enough. The recent vote regarding creating a mechanism for non-profits to secure low-interest loans for capital projects is an indication that the question was not asked. County Executive Collins proposed a mechanism whereby non-profits could secure these low-interest loans. This same mechanism has been used successfully in other counties to promote economic growth and I supported it. The majority in our Legislature, however, approved the item only after adding special interest friendly provision that raise the cost of projects up to 30%. Any benefit of the low-interest loans was thereby nullified. I asked myself how the amended item would benefit Erie County. The answer was that it wouldn't, so I voted against it.

The majority in the legislature imposed additional costs on Erie County Taxpayers when it required apprenticeship programs on the County's capital projects and in disingenuous language used in its Lowest Responsible Bidder law. In both cases the majority took the side of a select few over the needs of the many. I am not sure what question is being asked, but it seems to focus on how the item will benefit a particular special interest and not Taxpayers in general. This is the wrong question to ask and it is a disservice to all the citizens of this county. We cannot move forward economically by rewarding a select few. We can only move forward by improving economic conditions across the region.

I encourage Taxpayers to hold our elected officials accountable. Ask your legislators, at the local, county and state levels, "how does your vote benefit the Taxpayers." The question is not asked enough of our elected officials. The current state of the New York State budget is a testament to that. By holding your elected officials accountable, we can improve Erie County, Western New York and New York State.

As always, I would like to hear your thoughts on economic growth and the Erie County Legislature. Please contact me at my District Office, located at 8180 Main Street. I can also be contacted at 631-7650 or by e-mail at raymond.walter@erie.gov.

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