Press Releases: 02/28/08 Mills announces Additional Springville HEAP Outreach 02/28/08 Mills Announces Orchard Park HEAP Outreach 02/15/08 Mills Announces Springville HEAP Outreach 02/05/08 Bee Column 02/08 01/04/08 Mills announces HEAP outreach efforts

John J. Mills - District 13 April 11, 2007 Mills Outlines Budget Reforms (Amherst-NY) This morning Legislators Dr. Barry A. Weinstein, John J. Mills, & Cynthia E. Locklear will present the first phase of a plan that reduces County Executive Joel Giambra's proposed 2007 budget by $36,845,161. These initial reductions affected several areas of the budget and were accomplished by limiting job creation, eliminating unnecessary positions, decreasing expenditures on office supplies, contracts, professional services and overtime. In addition to specific budget reductions, Legislators also rejected Giambra's proposal to spend $15 million on expanding Erie Community College's Downtown Campus. Minority Leader Dr. Barry A. Weinstein described the plan by saying "it is very reasonable and this plan eliminates the need for the ¾% sales tax addition in December of 2007 and reduces the proposed property tax levy." Legislator John J. Mills agreed with Weinstein, adding "this plan is extremely realistic. It doesn't eliminate services or close parks and libraries, rather, it acknowledges that Erie County hires too many people and spends too much of the taxpayer's money." Legislator Michael H. Ranzenhofer stated additionally that "Erie County needs to enact the three R's - that is the reduction, reorganization, and re-engineering of county government." Majority Legislator Cynthia E. Locklear agrees with her Republican colleagues, adding that "I am not abandoning my fellow Democrats, I am still working with them, but I understand and appreciate the work of the Minority Caucus and I wanted to be part of their plan as well. Hopefully I can successfully work as a conduit between our parties by identifying the strengths of each plan and finding a way to bring them together." While several budget reductions occurred, several areas of the budget saw increases in funding and staff, particularly in the areas of public safety, public health, public defense and literacy. Reductions in overtime and office supply spending provided the funding for new Sheriffs and Corrections Officers. These positions were badly needed to continue meeting state standards for operating our corrections facilities. In addition to adding staff to the Sheriff's Department, the Legislators recognized a need for updated equipment, and appropriated the funding for the purchase of 21 new Sheriff's Department patrol vehicles. These vehicles will replace some of their aging fleet, add new patrol units to the streets, and reduce department repair and maintenance costs. As a commitment to education, Legislators agreed to fund the Buffalo and Erie County Library system with an additional $1,000,000 for books and educational materials. The plan also recognizes the need for additional staff in the Probation Department and the District Attorney's Office. Significant staff reductions took place in both departments in 2005 that left the departments functioning inefficiently ever since. Department leaders were able to demonstrate how additions in staff could potentially save taxpayers money, and Erie County Legislators Weinstein, Ranzenhofer, Mills, & Locklear listened. Back to District 13 Homepage