Happy New Year. I am truly honored to continue representing our district and remain committed to serving the people of Erie County to the fullest of my ability. As we begin 2026, we know we are entering a tighter financial year. Both the County Executive and the Comptroller have indicated that we are unlikely to see the surpluses of past years. At the same time, the county is operating under the largest budget in its history, with a spending plan exceeding $2 billion. With this scale, strong oversight and responsible decision-making are more important than ever.
One of my top priorities this year is ensuring fiscal accountability in county government. During the 2026 budget process, I pushed for amendments requiring regular updates from the County Executive’s budget office and the Comptroller’s office, so that both the Legislature and the public can clearly track where we stand financially. The Legislature must take responsibility for ensuring government is the right size and operating efficiently, so we do not face unnecessary financial challenges down the road.
Oversight matters not just for government, but for organizations that receive public funding. A recent audit of the African-American Cultural Center revealed that over $300,000 is missing. The organization could not provide basic financial records, including bank statements, credit card transactions, and receipts. As a legislator, I expect our tax dollars to be treated with far more respect, transparency, and accountability than this. I work with several organizations across my district that receive county grants, and these groups work diligently to make sure every dollar is used to its maximum impact, with clear reporting on that impact. Seeing such a lack of transparency is deeply concerning.
To address this, I sent a letter to New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli requesting a full audit. The County Executive has also called for the County Internal Auditor to review the matter. These steps are necessary to ensure public funds are managed responsibly and to restore trust that taxpayer dollars are being used appropriately.
Consumer protection is another early focus of my work in 2026. In the first week of January, I introduced the Customer Biometric Privacy Act. Reports from New York City show some businesses are collecting biometric data, including facial recognition, retina scans, and voice recordings. While these measures may be intended to improve safety, individuals have a right to know when their personal data is being collected and how it is being used.
My proposed law requires businesses to post clear notices at all public entrances and prohibits the sale, lease, trade, or exchange of customer information. This is about transparency and protecting the rights of consumers.
I am grateful for the privilege of serving you and will continue to focus on protecting your interests, advocating for fiscal responsibility, and ensuring transparency at every level of government. If you have a county-related issue, please contact my office at 716-858-8922 or Lindsay.Lorigo@erie.gov. You can also follow updates on Erie County government on my Facebook page at Legislator Lindsay Lorigo.
