Legislator Mills
We will soon begin reviewing the Erie County Executive’s proposed budget for 2027. I am hopeful that he will rein in spending. Mark Poloncarz has expanded county government significantly since taking office. We are not a community growing in population, so the expansion of government that taxpayers must fund is not wise. In addition, while the Administration touts the tax rate as going down, he says nothing about the tax levy. It is the levy that impacts people’s daily lives, and the tax burden placed on Erie County residents has increased through the years.
I was pleased to support the veteran’s real property tax exemption for one hundred percent disabled veterans. Be advised that the exemption is for the primary residence of seriously disabled veterans who have suffered a debilitating injury in service to the country and received an honorable discharge. The determination is made through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as to whether the veteran became permanently and totally disabled as a result of their military service. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to verify your eligibility.
The corrections officers strike of 2025 left a lasting impact on many communities. While New York State did reimburse Erie County $2.2 million for costs associated with housing individuals who would normally be in state custody, that still leaves more than $600,000 that Erie County spent on housing those that belonged with the state. New York needs to make Erie County whole.
Hunting season is now underway. A few months ago, Erie County passed a youth hunting measure, meaning those as young as 12 and 13 can now hunt with a responsible adult. Data has proven that it is safe and there have been zero incidents since the youth hunting law was enacted in other counties.
Road construction is beginning to wind down for the season. I’m pleased we were able to get to many projects this year, although many more remain. With this region’s weather and the freeze-thaw cycle, our roads need more attention than many other places. We have made significant progress in taking care of some of the roads most in need of attention in my district.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is important to get an annual mammogram. Early detection can truly make the difference. It is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of physical violence by a partner every year. In fact, every 9 seconds a woman in the US. Is beaten or assaulted by a current or ex significant other, and 1 in 4 men are victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. There is help available, including the Family Justice Center of Erie County.
Thank you for the honor of serving you. If you have a county related issue, contact my office at (716) 858-8850 or by email at John.Mills@erie.gov You can also keep up with county issues on my Facebook page at Legislator John Mills.
