AUGUST 6, 2008

MARINELLI ANNOUNCES COMMISSION ON 21st CENTURY ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE
"Charged with Reform"

Erie County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda) announced the creation of the Erie County Legislature 21st Century Commission to comprehensively review the duties, function and organization of the Erie County Legislature.

"We in the County Legislature are answering the community's call for changes to government structure, in view of static and shifting population, fiscal times and service to its citizens," Chair Marinelli said.

"The Commission will study and comment on all government reform issues specific to the Erie County Legislature, including but not limited to:

• Number of legislators.
• Length of terms and potential for staggered or limited terms.
• Scope of responsibility (powers and duties as defined in the Erie County Charter, as well as practices of constituent services and fiscal responsibilities with reflection on budget margins of non-mandated versus mandated programs).
• Consideration of district versus at-large seats (with contemplation of departmental cost-benefit analysis, costs of office seeking, and, in district-based seats, achieving a balance of voice given to Erie County's urban, suburban and rural communities. Avoiding disproportionate, weighted voting).
• Minority representation in conformance with federal law.

The Commission will be composed of nine members in total, six chosen by Chair Marinelli and one each chosen by the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Legislature, as well as the Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. The Commission Chair is to be designated by the Chair of the County Legislature. Terms of Commission members are one year, after which the Commission sunsets.

The suggested timetable for the Commission's work is as follows: organizational work and research in 2008, public comment period, scheduled hearings, draft and final reports in 2009. Any needed public referendum would take place in 2010, with implementation in 2011, in concert with the election cycle and reapportionment laws.

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