I would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving. I hope you all have a safe, warm place to celebrate this year’s holiday, reflecting on the many blessings we have to be thankful for. I know many families are struggling but I am always amazed by the hope they carry in their hearts.

I think that is why it is so important that every effort be made to help Erie County residents, not place any additional tax burden on them. As many of you are aware, the County Executive’s proposed $1.4 billion 2013 Erie County budget calls for a 3.4 percent tax increase. That breaks down to approximately $18 a year for a family living in a $100,000 house. While many think that is a minor increase, for many it isn’t. Also, that is on top of the hundreds of dollars paid in county taxes each year. Additionally, residents pay thousands in federal income tax, school taxes and local municipality tax, so the increase is anything but minimal when it is added to the entire tax bill.

Here in Erie County, our property taxes rank 11^th highest in the nation out of more than 3,000 counties. We are paying approximately 96 percent more than the national average. By comparison, the median property tax bill in Erie County is $3,990; median property tax bill in New York State is $3,755; and the median property tax bill in the United States $1,917. Now, do you think asking for an additional 3.4 percent is too much? I do. When Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the tax cap legislation in 2011, he said, “The answer for government can’t always be more money, more money and more money.” I don’t think I can say it much better as the Legislature continues the budget review process.

Last week the Legislature’s Budget Committee met with each department to discuss their budgetary needs. I want to thank the department heads and commissioners for detailing what resources they need to serve the taxpayers of Erie County. It provided each Legislator with a clearer understanding of our financial situation and obligations. I think we can find a balance that provides the necessary services without raising taxes.

I have also heard from many of you about the tentative budget and thank you for your feedback. Knowing what is important to residents is critical as we allocate funding and make the difficult decisions of where to cut back. As taxpayers, you deserve to have your needs met. For many of the residents I have spoken to and who have taken the online 2013 Erie County budget survey, their number one request is no tax increase. I think you deserve that.

When it comes time to offer amendments to the proposed 2013 budget, I would hope my colleagues consider the families sitting down with their bills and calculator, carefully balancing their checkbook to make sure they can heat their house, buy groceries, put gas in the car and still set a little aside for emergencies. When every penny counts, asking for a few more dollars is significant.