Erie County residents have been told to brace for a bleak fiscal future. The County Executive has warned of “dead flowers and arsenic.” The County Comptroller has described things as getting “doomier and gloomier.” Those are dramatic words—but leadership is not about dramatic warnings. Leadership is about making hard decisions and offering real solutions.
Unfortunately, the 2026 Erie County budget does not do that.
Despite all the dire rhetoric, the County Executive proposed a budget that raises the property tax levy by more than $5 million and continues expanding the size and cost of county government. We are repeatedly told to focus on the tax rate, but that misses the point. What actually matters to taxpayers is the tax levy—the total amount of money the county collects. And under this administration, that number is higher than ever.
A lower tax rate does not mean taxpayers are paying less. It simply reflects higher assessments. In real dollars, Erie County is collecting more of your money year after year.
Since 2021, county spending has increased by more than $704 million. That level of growth would be concerning under any circumstances—but it is especially troubling in a county that is not growing in population. When spending explodes without population growth, the same residents are left carrying a heavier burden. Seniors on fixed incomes and working families feel that impact first.
My Republican colleagues and I refused to accept the idea that the only response to a looming fiscal problem is to talk about it while continuing business as usual. We put forward a comprehensive amendment package that actually addressed the concerns being raised. Our plan cut the tax levy by more than $12 million, reined in spending, imposed guardrails on overtime and travel, eliminated waste, and offered modest relief at the gas pump.
That is what leadership looks like—acknowledging a problem and taking responsibility for fixing it.
The Majority had a choice. They could have supported a serious, responsible solution to the fiscal challenges they claim to be worried about. Instead, they rejected our amendments and advanced an amended budget that grows government, adds jobs, and includes pork spending at a time when Erie County families cannot afford it. They chose political talking points over fiscal responsibility.
We have seen where this path leads. Roughly twenty years ago, Erie County’s finances deteriorated to the point where libraries closed, parks shut down, and highway barns were locked. Those weren’t abstract budget decisions—they were real consequences of leaders failing to act in time. Ignoring today’s warning signs risks repeating that history.
There are also long-term decisions at stake beyond the operating budget. Proceeds from the sale of the ECC South campus belong to Erie County taxpayers and must be handled by the Legislature, the county’s fiscal authority. Redevelopment of that property—especially given its proximity to the new Buffalo Bills stadium—must be done thoughtfully to avoid another generational mistake.
While I will continue fighting for fiscal responsibility, I am grateful for the generosity of our community. Thank you to everyone who supported my Neighbors Helping Neighbors Donation Drive and helped organizations like the Rural Outreach Center, West Seneca Community Food Pantry, FISH of East Aurora, the Trading Post in Springville, and Love INC serve families in need.
As we head into the holidays, please check on your neighbors. If you need help with a county issue, contact my office at (716) 858-8922 or Lindsay.Lorigo@erie.gov. You can follow updates on Facebook at Legislator Lindsay Lorigo. I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
