Press Releases: 10/30/09 Legislators Iannello, Reynolds Call for a County Tax Abatement Law for Home Improvements 10/08/09 Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello News Release 09/30/09 Iannello Calls on County Executive to Include Tax Cut in Budget 08/26/09 IANNELLO APPOINTED CO-CHAIR OF THE NIAGARA ERIE REGIONAL COALITION BY LEGISLATURE CHAIR MARINELLI 08/07/09 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO DEFENDS PREVAILING WAGE VOTE

Michele M. Iannello - District 10 MARCH 16, 2008 LEGISLATOR IANNELLO LEADS COUNTY LEGISLATURE IN APPROVING TAX PAYER PROTECTION LAW Erie County Legislator Michele M. Iannello (D-Kenmore) is pleased that the Erie County Legislature approved local law No. 3 referred to as the Tax Payer Protection, which she sponsored, at its March 12 session. The local law will provide new authority to the County Legislature by amending the County Charter, to cancel or decrease spending of any professional/personal service contract entered into by the County whether or not such contract is subject to approval by the County Legislature, provided that no such cancellation shall limit the contractors' right to receive payment for services provided up to the date of cancellation." The local law states "Upon on the Legislature's vote to cancel a professional/personal service contract pursuant to this subsection, the Clerk of the Legislature shall immediately notify the contractor and the County Executive that the contract is cancelled effective ten (10) days from the date of said vote." Legislator Iannello stressed that in light of the County Executive's recent disregard for the proper policies and procedures, she was able to gain support from seven (7) of her fellow Legislators for approval of the law which will allow the County Legislature to perform the mandated checks and balances role of financial oversight that it was elected to do. "This local law authorizes the Legislature to exercise its role of cutting expenses in a certain budget line referred to as the professional services contracts, which amounts to about $15 million of discretionary spending in the 2009 budget," Legislator Iannello said. "This law does not give the Legislature any ability to make any increases in spending, only decreases. Because the budget deliberations take place in the prior year, there may be need for post-budget decreases. This is a tool in our toolbox should we need it; it allows for accountability and transparency," Legislator Iannello added. "At a time when county residents are struggling financially, they are looking to us to keep spending in Erie County under control." The Taxpayer Protection Act, if not vetoed by the County Executive, will go before the voters of Erie County for approval November. Back to District 10 Homepage