Chairman, Vice Chairman of Legislature Budget Committee release statement on proposed 2017 budget

Erie County Legislature Majority Leader Joseph C. Lorigo, Chairman of the Legislature Budget Committee, and Legislator Edward A. Rath, Vice Chair of the Budget Committee, have released the following statement on the proposed 2017 budget. Review the proposed budget HERE. 

 

"The Legislature did not receive any advanced information on the proposed 2017 Erie County Budget.  We saw it the same time as everyone else when it was posted on the county website. At first glance, I am pleased to see the tax rate has not increased, however there is more to the story. We cannot continue to spend more and more each and every year without justification, especially in light of the County's ever-increasing obligations to ECMC, as well as the continuing decline of sales tax revenue. The Budget Committee will be meeting with each department and elected office to review the proposed budget before voting on any amendments. First and foremost we will ensure that critical services are funded while respecting taxpayer dollars," said Majority Leader Lorigo.

 

"Today the County Executive proposed his ideas for a 2017 budget. Now it is The Legislatures responsibility to improve on what has been proposed. This is a long process that takes several weeks before we will have a finalized budget. We are facing several financial challenges in preparing the 2017 budget, however we need to ensure that we prioritize public safety and critical services. The Majority Caucus has been committed to delivering a tax rate decrease to residents for the past two years. I believe we will make every effort to once again deliver tax relief when the process is complete. Between today and early December we will study thousands of budgetary line items to finalize a balanced and practical County budget," said Legislator Rath.

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