Press Releases: 03/15/10 Republican Caucus applauds County Executive's efforts, plans for $44 million surplus 12/01/09 Legislative Republican Caucus Opposes Passage of Budget Amendments in 2010 Budget 10/02/09 ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE'S MINORITY CAUCUS COMMENTS ON 2010 PROPOSED BUDGET 09/10/09 Legislative Republican Caucus Votes to Sustain County Executive's Veto of Local Law 09/08/09 Erie County Legislature Demands Equal Funding for Road and Bridge Projects From State

John J. Mills - District 13 March 10, 2009 LEGISLATURE MINORITY CAUCUS TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE DISCUSSING OVER $7 MILLION OWED ERIE COUNTY (Buffalo, NY) - The Erie County Legislature Minority Caucus held a press conference today requesting that New York State remit the over $7 million still owed to the county as a result of the recovery efforts after the October 2006 storm. The conference focused on the need for funds provided by the State Emergency Management Office (SEMO). Although Erie County did receive funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) soon after the storm, the funds promised by SEMO were never delivered, and thus, are still needed. These funds, in the amount of $7 million, were to be used to reimburse contractors and vendors for their work during the storm. These funds are needed to replenish accounts that were utilized for recovery efforts. At the morning conference, led by Erie County Legislature Minority Leader John J. Mills, 13th District, Edward A. Rath III, 15th District and Raymond W. Walter, 4th District, the legislators discussed that while Erie County was promised over $7 million in funds during the October 2006 storm to aid in recovery costs, funds were not delivered, forcing the county to borrow from other sources to pay vendors and contractors. "It is imperative that Erie County receives these funds," Rath said. "Delaying payment of these funds could contribute to a cash-flow crunch, causing delays in payments to vendors and contractors on other projects." The Legislators also explained that although Erie County qualified for SEMO assistance, funds have still not been delivered almost three years later, which has created more hardship for the people of Erie County. "The tax payers of Erie County have suffered long enough," Mills said. "Every day that we do not receive these funds is another day that we cannot address urgent safety concerns, such as rebuilding our roads and bridges." The legislators called on Erie Comptroller Poloncarz to make every effort to ensure that these funds are paid to Erie County. Legislator Walter stated, "The failure to collect this money could cause a significant cash-flow crunch. I urge the Comptroller, as keeper of the County's checkbook, to ensure that Erie County taxpayers are not harmed by the three year delay in receiving these funds." The legislators submitted a resolution calling on New York State to release these funds immediately. The legislators hope that the resolution will be brought before the full Erie County Legislature for immediate consideration at the session on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Back to District 13 Homepage