AUGUST 15, 2008

CHAIR MARINELLI CREATES ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE 21st CENTURY COMMISSION

Given the many colleague and constituent proposals for reforms, I am pleased to create the Erie County Legislature 21st Century Commission. This group will be charged to comprehensively review the chartered powers, duties, structure, function and organization of the Erie County Legislature.

After the success of the Charter Review Commission, in which over 70% of the voters approved county government changes, the next phase assesses the representative branch in view of the static and shifting population, challenging fiscal times and the service to our citizens. Along with the priorities of economic development, energy costs and budget constraints, the reforms of government operations must reflect the realities of today and project for our future.

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, six chosen by me as Chair of the County Legislature, and one each chosen by the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Legislature, as well as the Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. Of the chair's appointments, I am reaching out to academic institutions, business groups, public sector unions and not-for-profit organizations for membership. This will ensure a cross-section of our community with thoughtful, deliberative people to serve. I expect the group to begin its work in September.

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

This suggested timetable will allow the Commission to fully consider information submitted by all parties, including residents of all political and philosophical backgrounds. Notably, the county's representative branch has seen a progression of changes and downsizings. It went from a 54-member Board of Supervisors through the 1950s, to a Legislature with 20 members, then 17, and five years ago voters approved a 15-member body. The future of Erie County and of the Erie County Legislature is so important that a full vetting of all issues and concerns, and the gathering of as much accurate, related material will allow the Commission to make informed, prudent decisions. So far, we have received a positive response to this important, civic task!

Readers can contact their legislators concerning the Commission, and my constituents can reach me at Lynn.Marinelli@erie.gov.

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