December 1, 2008

Erie County Legislature Minority Caucus Announces Property Tax Cut Plan

Plan would reduce size of government and cut property taxes

(Erie County Legislature - Buffalo, New York) The Erie County Legislature Minority Caucus discussed their plan to eliminate the proposed property tax increase, as well as reducing the hike caused by increased assessments for Erie County tax payers. "Our plan is simple. By reducing the size of government, we can save Erie County taxpayers money," stated minority Leader John J. Mills (Legislator - 13th District). Legislator Edward A. Rath III added, "Our plan does not rely on one shot cost shifts to balance the budget. It confronts economic realities and takes positive steps to reduce the problem of high taxes into the future."

The Minority Caucus plan focuses on reducing expenditures by departments and eliminates vacant jobs from the budget. "The taxpayers of Erie County should not be paying for empty seats in County office buildings," stated Legislator Rath, adding "some of our cuts are made to fuel and utility accounts, which were based on numbers that experts in the field have since adjusted lower for next year." Legislator Michael H. Ranzenhofer (Legislator - 4th District) discussed the cuts to departmental budgets. "Just as hardworking Erie County tax payers are being asked to do more with less, our budget plan asks the same from county government."

The Minority Caucus plan also restores funding to the Cooperative Extension and Erie County Soil and Water. "These are important services that bring millions to the local economy. We can not afford to lose these services," stated Legislator Mills.

Legislator Ranzenhofer discussed flaws with the plan offered by the Majority Caucus. "Their plan relies on cost shifts and one-time measures that only exacerbates the fiscal problems that face the county. Our plan takes steps to fix our fiscal problems into the future." Legislator Rath specifically expressed concern about the Majority Caucus plan to raid the Fund Balance and to diminish the Risk Retention Fund. "Robbing Peter to pay Paul is irresponsible and it is not fiscal reform. Their plan it ignores economic realities and is irresponsible."

Legislator Ranzenhofer expressed hope that the Majority Caucus would consider the Minority Caucus plan at today's session. "Our plan was received and filed by the Majority Caucus without discussion. Their plan is flawed. I hope that both sides of the aisle can work together to present a plan of a property tax decrease that is in the best interests of the tax payers of Erie County."

Back to District 15 Homepage