SEPTEMBER 16, 2008

COUNTY LEGISLATURE CHAIR MARINELLI CALLING FOR HIRING FREEZE

Erie County Legislature Chair Lynn Marinelli (D-Buffalo, Tonawanda) is calling for a hiring freeze in Erie County.

"Considering the current crisis in the financial sectors, which will affect the rest of the economy, and as part of my continued efforts to institute responsible fiscal policies, a hiring freeze is in order," Legislator Marinelli said. "There should be no exception unless a strong, justified application is made for public health and safety."

"We are currently in the midst of a fiscal tsunami, and people realize just how serious things are," Legislator Marinelli added. "Correspondingly, I am instituting a hiring freeze at the County Legislature."

Legislator Marinelli noted that, as indicated in the Legislature's Finance and Management Committee's report on the mid-year 2008 budget hearings, the administration has established a vacancy control period. This basically imposes a 30-day hold on all job vacancies except those controlled by the other elected officials, as well as certain public safety positions.

"We must act in a cautious, fiscally prudent manner and do so now," Legislator Marinelli concluded. "Everything that we in the County Legislature can accomplish to control expenses while delivering the necessary services, including public health and safety, must be considered."

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