Erie County Legislator Jim Malczewski is calling out the Administration and his legislative colleagues across the aisle for the lack of answers or discussion on the migrant crisis in New York State. According to reports from WGRZ, New York City officials report that the first busload of asylum seekers is arriving today and will be housed at a Cheektowaga hotel. Legislator Malczewski has been calling for discussion and transparency on the migrant crisis and its impact here, noting the challenges our community already faces in taking care of the many needs of Erie County citizens who are struggling. He recently introduced a resolution seeking answers as to how Erie County plans to care for those asylum seekers coming here, how many this region can expect, and what assurances have been provided that Erie County taxpayers won’t be left footing the bill. That measure, however, was sent to the Government Affairs Committee, which hasn’t met since September 29, 2022.
“It’s a bit ironic to me that my colleagues across the aisle said they didn’t yet know enough about the plans with the migrants. So, they send the resolution to the Government Affairs committee for further discussion, a committee that hasn’t met in nearly 9 months. We’re supposed to have meaningful dialogue to understand the impact this migrant crisis will have on our community and how to plan for it by first having a committee discussion, a committee that hasn’t met as long as I’ve been a legislator,” said Erie County Legislator Jim Malczewski.
In fact, the Government Affairs Committee, chaired by Erie County Legislator John Bargnesi, met only five times in all of 2022.
“My constituents are calling with legitimate concerns. It’s our responsibility as legislators to get them answers. That’s what I’ve been trying to do. But my resolution was buried in the Government Affairs Committee, which never meets. It’s a dereliction of duty to ignore this issue and not provide some answers to the people we represent. That’s our purpose as lawmakers,” said Legislator Malczewski.
New York City officials say they have been in touch with Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and agencies that will assist in the care of them.
“This Administration has not been transparent. They have not shared with us details about how we are supposed to manage this crisis. They’ve shared nothing with us. We are a community with many living in poverty. There are unmet needs already for our own residents. We have been provided no answers. New York City officials have been in touch with the County Executive, yet he shares none of that information with us. If my colleagues were serious about addressing this issue, we would have met already. They would have joined me in demanding answers. Instead, they are hiding from an issue that makes them uncomfortable,” said Legislator Malczewski.
The Erie County Department of Social Services sent one letter to the Legislature on May 31, 2023, that outlined the crisis on a broad basis, but the Administration has not provided specifics as to how Erie County would specifically manage this crisis. The Erie County Legislature is the fiscal house, the body which approves how tax dollars are spent and works with the Administration to determine priorities. Government officials have said New York City will pick up the tab for the cost of the asylum seekers. But Governor Kathy Hochul is already withholding federal funds intended for local communities to help pay the Medicaid bill. In addition, New York City’s own budget director warns the cost of caring for these asylum seekers could well exceed the $4.3 billion currently forecast and recently issued this statement:
“Every New Yorker should be concerned about these escalating costs and the ramifications for potential service disruptions and the very real possibility that this may go on for years.” -Jacques Jiha, Director, NYC Office of Budget Management
“When you have a Governor holding back money intended for Erie County, how can we trust her when she says New York City will pay to house and feed these asylum seekers? I know I don’t. And then you have what is a real eye-opening warning from New York City’s own budget director about what this will ultimately cost all New Yorkers. That’s beyond troubling. The Legislature needs answers from the Administration, from the State, and from New York City. We had a chance to work through this before the asylum seekers arrived. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle punted. This is our job. This is what we are elected to do. It’s time we get answers,” concluded Legislator Malczewski.