JULY 30, 2009

LEGISLATURE CHAIR WILL CALL VOTE TO OVERRIDE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S VETO OF LOCAL LAW REDUCING LEGISLATURE SIZE TO 13 MEMBERS FROM 15

The Erie County Legislature's unanimous vote to reduce the size of the Legislature to 13 members from 15 and increase the length of terms to four years from two at its July 2 session was vetoed by the county executive today. The local law that would reduce the size of the Legislature and lengthen the terms of office will go before the voters of Erie County in November upon a successful override vote.

"The action of the county legislature makes reform a reality. As chair, I will call for an override vote of the executive's veto. Then the voters can make the decision this November," Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli said. "The Legislature honored the work and effort of the 21st Century Commission in downsizing the legislative seats and lengthening the term. The Legislature has also initiated its own reforms through the chair's instituted policies and procedures and by cutting our own budgets. We continue working to improve Erie County and giving our residents a voice in government."

The County Legislature will officially receive the veto letter at its Thursday, September 10, regular session, and has 30 days from that receipt to act upon it. The Erie County Legislature was originally made up of 20 members, was downsized first to 17 members and downsized again to 15 members in 2003.

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