The Erie County Executive’s recent State of County Address was very disappointing. Mark Poloncarz touted the strength of Erie County and how much it has improved since he has taken office, yet his county initiatives focused on issues indicating clear signs our region is not doing well economically. While homelessness, affordable housing, mental health epidemics and defending criminals in a climate of rising crime are issues the government must address, they are not indicators of a strong community and county. In fact, the issues have gotten worse in the years since Mark Poloncarz took office. This County Executive has never met a dollar he didn’t want to spend, and his focus needs to be on county issues, and putting our region on the right track. He is setting a future Administration up for failure as they will inherit a government that has exploded in cost and size under the direction of Mark Poloncarz.
I’m pleased that the Erie County Legislature scored a victory in the fight against downstate interests putting wind turbines in Lake Erie. The Legislature recently passed a resolution opposing the turbines, which would be terrible for our lakes, the fish, the birds, our drinking water, and will have other negative consequences. It makes no sense to make claims about working to save the environment yet are fine with destroying our most precious asset.
In recent meetings with the County Executive, he assured us the budget surplus would be no more than about ten million dollars. He later announced a surplus of $26 million. Our democratic colleagues in the legislature quickly allocated significant funds to their districts in a way that completely disrespects most towns and villages in Erie County. Significant sales tax dollars come from communities led by Republican lawmakers, yet these legislators on the other side of the aisle handed out hundreds of thousands of dollars in budget surplus for their own districts, leaving the minority caucus out of the discussion. The County Executive and these legislators need to understand we are one county, and our districts generate significant sales tax revenue.
The Erie County Charter Revision Commission is wrapping up their public meetings and will be making recommendations to the Erie County Legislature. The Commission meets every decade to consider possible changes to the charter. Last November, more than 62 percent of Erie County voters rejected a proposal that would have required a simple majority vote of lawmakers to extend the sales tax instead of the supermajority, as is currently required. In doing so voters ensured proper checks and balances on the Administration. Despite this, the County Executive again requested the Commission make revisions that would have required just a simple majority for passage of sales tax extension. This effort disrespected the residents of Erie County who had, just months previously, soundly rejected this measure. I’m pleased the Commission will not try to advance this measure.
The warm weather is here and that means roadwork is well underway. Please watch for crews so they can return home safely to their families. If you wish to reserve a shelter at an Erie County Park, or reserve tee time at a county golf course, you can go to our website at www.erie.gov
If you have a county related issue, contact my office at 716-858-8850 or by email John.Mills@erie.gov
