Amended Erie County Tax Act sent to committee following opposition from Minority Caucus and Town Supervisors

During a special meeting of the Government Affairs Committee Wednesday morning, members of the Legislature and town representatives voiced concerns with proposed amendments to the Erie County Tax Act. Following a directive from the County Executive, members of the Majority Caucus intended to put the item up for a vote during Thursday’s session, however; it was sent to the Government Affairs Committee for further discussion.

Proposed changes to the tax act include: shortening the foreclosure process from 2 years to 1 year, moving up the deadline to collect taxes from March 15th to February 15th and lowering the interest rate on late tax payments from 18 percent to 12 percent. Lowering these interest rates would result in a revenue loss of over 5 million dollars throughout Erie County.

Town Supervisors from both Legislator Lorigo and Legislator Mills’ district were notified of the changes just days prior to Wednesday’s meeting, despite the administration having worked on this plan for nearly a year behind closed doors. Various town leaders attended the meeting to speak out against the proposed changes.

“It is both irresponsible and insulting that the administration would try to force a vote without meeting with towns and taxpayers who this ultimately affects,” said Minority Leader Joe Lorigo. “These proposed changes hurt taxpayers, seniors and the poor. By lowering the amount of revenue generated by late fees, we are shifting the burden from individuals who pay their taxes on time to people who don’t. I will not support these amendments as they stand and I thank the town representatives who shared their concerns in order to successfully send this item back to committee where it belongs.”

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