Press Releases: 07/31/08 COUNTY LEGISLATOR IANNELLO ANNOUNCES FREE RABIES CLINIC SCHEDULED AT SPCA AUGUST 20 07/29/08 COUNTY LEGISLATOR IANNELLO ANNOUNCES THREE SUMMER ACTIVITY PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE 07/25/08 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO APPLAUDS COUNTY'S GREEN COMPUTING INITIATIVE 05/20/08 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO PARTICIPATES IN ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM 05/07/08 LEGISLATORS IANNELLO AND KONST RELEASE 2008 DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE

Michele M. Iannello - District 10 March 15, 2007 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO INTRODUCES HISTORIC BUDGET REFORM LOCAL LAW Erie County 10th District Legislator Michele M. Iannello is introducing a Local Law at the March 15th session of the Legislature. The new Local Law is to further address the on-going fiscal difficulties the County and represents historic fiscal reform. Legislator Iannello stated that one of the methods by which the spending and size of the budget of Erie County may be contained or reduced, is by careful review of expenditures presented by the administration, and thereafter, the elimination of unnecessary expenditures and/or hiring if deemed necessary and appropriate. Therefore, the purpose of this new Local Law is to amend the "Powers and Duties" of the Erie County Legislature. The law would add the specific authority of the Legislature, subject to veto by the Executive and override by a 2/3 vote of the Legislature, to DECREASE or DELETE any line item or expenditure including personnel and allow for cancellation of contracts (including professional service contracts and any specific position under a collective bargaining agreement) from the County budget, after February 1st of any budget year. The new Local Law would not give authority to the Legislature to increase spending, only the authority to decrease spending. "The law would offer us one more mechanism toward closing the gap on the balance of powers between the administration and the elected body of the Legislature,' said Legislator Iannello. "The reason behind this law," added Legislator Iannello, "has been evidenced once again just last month. The County Executive recently re-hired his former Budget Director (who was Director at the height of the Budget crisis) as a Budget Department Consultant, with a salary of $1,000 a month for six months. Under current law, contracts worth $10,000 or more must go before the Legislature, and filling of regular county posts requires consent of the Control Board. The County Executive has successfully circumvented both bodies with his recent action," added the Legislator. "From an elected official's point of view, I am optimistic that this new Local Law will be looked on favorably by my colleagues. It will offer you, the residents, additional strength to have your voices heard." Legislator Iannello's objective is to allow you the voters to have a say once again and put this referendum on the November 2007 ballot for an Erie County Charter Change. "I see this as a necessary step toward fiscal responsibility, particularly since the County Executive continues to reinstate his "Friends and Family Plan," and will not initiate such cuts in spending. Back to District 10 Homepage