The Class of 2006 Erie County Legislature got to work immediately, as we have addressed several pressing issues and continue to work on longer-term initiatives to restore economic health and effective service delivery to Erie County.

All forms of government have had to learn to do more with less, and Erie County is no exception. In 2005 more than 1,000 county positions were cut, including in the Legislature staff. After approximately $60 million in cuts in 2005, we continue to lower spending and borrowing. We know much more needs to be done to change the structure of government and to make its operations more efficient. This is why work continues at the Legislature, as new legislators and returning legislators work on issues through the committee structure and assignments.

One important component, of which I am a cosponsor, is a resolution proposed by Legislator Demone A. Smith, chair of the Finance, Management and Budget Committee, to establish mid-year budget hearings. These are particularly important to conduct as the County Legislature, the County Comptroller and the County Executive work on formulating and maintaining not only sound fiscal and budget policies, but to monitor spending and adhere to the four-year financial plan.

We have several new committee chairs. We re-established the Health Committee, chaired by Legislator Cynthia E. Locklear, in part because of the effects health and related issues such as health care have on our finances, delivery of services and the residents of Erie County as we discuss what health services the county should provide and at what level of spending. The Human Services Committee, chaired by Thomas Mazur, will oversee the changes in the Social Services Department.

Michele Iannello chairs Community Enrichment, Thomas Loughran chairs Energy and Environment, George A. Holt, Jr. chairs Government Affairs, Timothy Kennedy chairs Economic Development and Daniel Kozub chairs Public Safety. Maria Whyte is the Democratic Majority Leader, Kathy Konst is liaison to the Comptroller’s Audit Committee and Robert Reynolds represents us on the Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District as well as the Erie County Farmland Bureau.

The Legislature recently came to a compromise agreement with the leadership of the New York State Assembly and State Senate to share with the cities, towns and villages of Erie County $12.5 million of the traditional 8th percent in county sales. We are confident that offers of assistance from state elected officials will be made good and that the county’s finances will not be adversely impacted in 2007. A Task Force is being established to review the distribution formula; the 8th percent of the sales tax expires Feb. 29, 2008.

We are also working on policy and structural changes, including the discussions and actions with the Erie County Charter Revision Commission, after it presents the County Legislature with a report on its actions and recommendations. We continue to focus on what is best for the residents of Erie County as we work toward a better, more stable future together.

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