The summer season is upon us, a great time to enjoy the beautiful weather in Western New York. It is also a time when crews are busy making necessary repairs to roads damaged by a tough Buffalo winter.
I also look at summer as a time for new beginnings. Certainly, that’s the case for the Buffalo Bills. I was honored to attend groundbreaking ceremonies for the new stadium. My caucus was able to negotiate the terms of the agreement, and pay more of Erie County’s share in cash from budget surplus. In so doing, we saved taxpayers an estimated $80 million in interest. In addition, it’s estimated more than ten-thousand, largely union workers, will be on the job building this new stadium over the next few years. Those workers will frequent our stores, shops, and restaurants, which translates to additional tax revenue for our region.
I’m disappointed in many of our state lawmakers approving a measure to move local elections to the same years that state and federal elections take place. This move all but silences debate and discussion on town and county issues that are so important to quality of life. Instead, the focus will be on polarizing federal and state issues. It was a political move that effectively silences conservative and republican viewpoints. It goes against home rule, and once again shows New York City political leaders trying to control town and county governments across New York State. The majority of State Association of County leaders have come out against it. As a former town board member and Erie County Clerk, Governor Hochul should understand the damage this does and reject it.
The migrant crisis that has impacted our nation for years has now come to our doorstep. The first two busloads of asylum seekers are now living in a Cheektowaga hotel. This happened without the Administration providing us any information. We are a community with many needs already. The Republican Caucus wanted to discuss this matter further, but my colleague’s resolution that would have allowed for that was sent to the Government Affairs committee. The chairman of that committee has not called a meeting in 9 months. It’s our responsibility as legislators to provide answers when we get calls from concerned citizens. There needs to be more transparency.
I’m glad the ten percent exemption on property tax assessments for volunteer first responders has been signed into law. It’s an important step to providing these volunteers what they need to recruit more members and retain those they have. The ten-percent was the most allowed under the New York State law.
We were able to secure additional funds from 2022 budget surplus for many organizations and agencies in our communities that provide important services and/or opportunities. I’ve been able to present checks to some of those organizations. They include; funding for the Alden School District Bulldog Manufacturing Program, which introduces young people to the real-life experience of running a manufacturing business; and funding for AED devices for the 716 Patriots baseball organization.
If you have a county-related issue, you can reach my office at (716)681-2071 or Frank.Todaro@erie.gov
