The Erie County Legislature’s Majority Caucus is proud to support a proposed change to the Charter that would benefit Erie County employees who are called to active duty with any branch of the military. The recommendation, first proposed by the County Comptroller, received unanimous support from the Charter Review Commission and Erie County Legislature and provides county employees with their full salary during the entire length of their deployment.

“We are ensuring that county employees who serve their country receive their county salary when deployed. Currently, they are only offered 30 days of paid leave and that isn’t appropriate. The Charter should be revised to cover the entire length of time they are serving. We have to serve those who protect and serve us,” said Majority Leader Joseph Lorigo. “I want to thank our Comptroller for bringing this oversight to the Charter Review Commission’s attention and for supporting our employees.”

“The county’s responsibility first and foremost is to serve its people, including its employees. Those who are in active military service need to be appropriately compensated and this revision is long overdue,” said Legislator Edward Rath.

“Our county employees who are also military service members play a vital role not only for our county, but for our nation. With the sacrifices they make every day to protect our rights, we have a responsibility to ensure they receive their full county salary while serving overseas,” said Legislator Ted Morton.

“I was happy to propose this Charter change, and frankly, was shocked that my proposal was necessary.  It is unacceptable that as a county we penalize men and women who work here when they are deployed in service to our country.  I was incredibly pleased to learn the Charter Revision Commission passed my proposal and am thrilled it may become a reality.  We will never be able to adequately thank those who serve, but at least this small change will ensure we don’t hurt them financially,” said Comptroller Stefan I. Mychajliw.

The recommendation, approved 11-0 by the Legislature, will become part of a local law that will be on the November 2016 ballot for voter approval.

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