I hope you are enjoying your summer. It always seems to go by too quickly. The Erie County Fair is a great summer highlight for many. If you attend, enjoy these remaining days.
As we headed into the Legislature’s August recess, I knew it was important that the Republican Caucus negotiate an agreement with the Administration on a number of key issues, primarily a reduction in taxes and a focus on roads. As Minority Leader it is imperative that we recognize the challenges so many are facing, and work to alleviate some of that burden. It is also Erie County’s responsibility to take care of the roads and infrastructure the county owns, for the safety of our residents. To that end, my Caucus reached agreement to reduce the property tax levy in 2024 by $1 million. The long-term impact of that is far greater. It’s estimated taxpayers will save more than $80 million over the next decade with the two percent tax cap in place.
This coming winter season you will also get a break on your home heating costs. We know Western New York winters can be challenging. This coming season, for the hard-hit months of December through February, you won’t pay any county sales tax on home energy products. This tax break is for residential properties, and includes natural gas, propane, wood, pellets, heating oil, coal and electricity.
We have also developed a five-year road maintenance and repair plan. The purpose of this is for the Administration to provide a five-year plan of action to the Legislature that lays out the road work to be done. Constituents and communities will then know in advance which infrastructure needs will be addressed in their towns. Meanwhile, roadwork continues this road construction season. There are many needs in my district.
The impact of the migrant crisis in the U.S. is now being felt in Erie County. Over the weekend a migrant was charged with sexual abuse and unlawful imprisonment. Last week one of the migrants was arrested for rape and endangering the welfare of a child, we’ve had another diagnosed with tuberculosis and still more charged with petit larceny. The County Executive welcomed the overflow of so-called asylum seekers in New York City to come here. It was a problem New York City created when they declared themselves a sanctuary city. When their leaders became overwhelmed, they began sending hundreds of migrants here. We are a county already challenged with helping our residents in need. While I believe immigrants built our great country, there is a right way to do things. This isn’t it. Clearly the vetting process is not working. The federal government has waited far too long in addressing this crisis, and Erie County cannot continue taking in the numbers we are, particularly with no real plan in place.
Work continues on the eternal flame trail at Chestnut Ridge Park that will make the trail safer and more accessible for the thousands who visit the site each year. I was proud to have secured funding for this project that will allow more visitors to discover this natural wonder.
If you have a county related issue, please contact my office at 716-858-8850 or email, John.Mills@erie.gov
