Press Releases: 05/20/08 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO PARTICIPATES IN ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM 05/07/08 LEGISLATORS IANNELLO AND KONST RELEASE 2008 DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE 05/02/08 Media Advisory 03/26/08 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO ANNOUNCES INCREASED AID FOR LIBRARIES 01/15/08 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO APPOINTED TO STATE COMMITTEE

Michele M. Iannello - District 10 February 8, 2006 Letter to the Editor Dear Editor: I want to express to my constituents of the 10th District my reasons for last week's support of the NYS Assembly proposal to share a portion of the 1% sales tax. I had a last minute change of heart and want everyone to know the reasoning behind my vote. "My original plan was to vote against this Assembly proposal. I knew that the sharing would result in an additional deficit of 12.5 million to the already 40 million in the four year plan. After consulting with the County Comptroller the realization was that a no vote would hinder our credit rating and trigger a hard control board, thus, put a halt to any reform I have in mind freezing all Erie County services. In August of 2005, before I took office, New York State imposed a Fiscal Stability Authority upon the Erie County Legislature. Additionally, they required a four-year plan. They accepted the four-year plan, knowing it did not include sharing of the sales tax. The State legislators, both Senators and Assemblymen, knew the history of the sharing proposal, and by their own actions, neglected to incorporate the sharing they were attempting to force upon us, the new Erie County Legislature. "In a last minute verbal agreement from Assemblyman Paul Tokasz, stating that he would help Erie County recoup the $12.5 million from the sharing, plus the $40m deficit, I reversed my decision and joined my colleagues in supporting the proposal as long as Assemblyman Tokasz agreed to a personally appear before the Legislature to confirm this commitment. I struggled long and hard over the concern of doing what is right and responsible for my constituents in the 10th District vs. the difficult situation placed upon us by the Assembly proposal. "I made a promise to act responsibly on behalf of the constituents in the 10th District and to uphold my message of fiscal reform. I am working with other legislators to begin a reform agenda. Unfortunately, we have been pre-occupied with the sales tax issue. To keep the promise I made, I have given up my district office. I am using one in County Hall and satellite offices throughout the district. This results in more than $11,000 in savings to the taxpayers of Erie County. I give you my word that I have already begun working hard for fiscal reform and preservation of services for you, the taxpayers of Erie County and I will not stop as long as I am your Legislator." Sincerely, Michele Iannello Erie County Legislator 10th District Back to District 10 Homepage