By Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz
Earlier this month I joined hundreds of people at Niagara Square in Buffalo as we braved bitter winds and cold temperatures to speak peacefully but forcibly about the importance of standing up for and believing in science. I was among the speakers who shared thoughts on why we all must support scientists and other medical professionals and do what we can to promote facts while fighting against the Trump Administration’s cuts to research and healthcare.
It is unacceptable for our federal government to move forward with these spending cuts. They are being made as part of the effort to provide Elon Musk and other super wealthy individuals with large tax deductions. It’s unfair for Musk and other billionaires to get a reduction in their taxes while we all suffer and face the potential of shorter life spans and worse healthcare coverage. I thank everyone who took some time to attend the rally and ask anyone who cares about the important issues of science and medical research to keep the pressure on those who can help stop these unnecessary and poorly thought-out cuts to the federal budget, specifically the Republican members of Congress who represent Western New York.
I am particularly concerned about any type of reduction in funding for cancer research. Plain and simple, it’s wrong and shouldn’t even be up for discussion. That’s why last week I joined numerous researchers and professors at the University of Buffalo’s Hauptman-Woodward Institute and demanded the Trump Administration and members of Congress reverse their planned cuts to research grant funding. We should be investing more money and exploring new areas of research instead of planning to spend less and not advance our scientific capabilities to find new ways to detect and prevent cancer.
Finally, it is important to me that we keep our nation focused on strengthening our established relationship with Canada. We are already seeing the impact the needless trade war between the U.S. and Canada is having as less Canadians are crossing the border to visit, especially here in Western New York. I will continue to keep an eye on our sales tax proceeds, which I expect to decline. I was recently quoted in a story published by Bloomberg about how vehicle and truck entries at Western New York’s US-Canadian border crossings are down 13 percent this year. Erie County’s initial sales tax receipts decreased 7 percent through the middle of last month, which calculates as a $4.9 million reduction in revenue.
I will repeat what I wrote in this space last month: any type of trade war between the U.S. and Canada is unnecessary. It will only weaken both countries, as well as damage an alliance of peace and goodwill between two nations that dates back over 200 years. We are feeling the negative impact of tariffs in our region and may be facing long-term economic woes and devastating blows to the U.S. tourism industry.