The Erie County Legislature is on recess in August but before we adjourned, several important items were approved that will benefit Erie County in a variety of ways. The following is a brief breakdown of some of the issues I thought you might find important.

The VALER4Valor Committee was created and as an appointed member, I look forward to carrying out its mission, which focuses on ensuring veterans are receiving the benefits and services they have earned. This committee will work diligently to facilitate a process in which veterans are made aware of programs, services and opportunities.

Honoring veterans was also the topic of discussion when my colleague Legislator Joseph Lorigo submitted a resolution, requesting the County Executive allocate funding for the Iraq and Afghanistan Servicemen and Women’s Monument, paid for through the annual cultural budget. Unanimously approved by the Legislature, this body would like to see the memorial created at the Naval Park, commemorating local soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The county annually funds art and theater groups, and I believe we can realign those funds, without raising the amount, to support a monument for the brave soldiers who went into battle. I strongly encourage the County Executive to include this one-time expense in his proposed 2013 budget. It is only fitting that our waterfront Naval Park includes a monument recognizing this important part of our nation’s history.

Buffalo Bills players and coaches reported to training camp last week to prepare for what should be an exciting season. Preparations will also be underway at the stadium, with a focus on safety improvements. The County awarded a contract to Frey Electric, which is locally owned and operated, to install a state-of-the-art system to upgrade the fire alarm and emergency lighting at the Field House. Funded through the county’s capital budget, this essential work will replace a poorly functioning system. Paying to continuously repair the current system was not cost effective, and with the many community events, along with Buffalo Bills practices, held in the Field House it is a matter of safety that this project be completed.

The County Legislature also approved the creation of three jobs to attack the plaguing issue of Medicaid abuse. Paid for through a grant, these three individuals will be part of the Medicaid Anti-Fraud Task Force charged with uncovering and exposing fraud that costs the county a significant amount of taxpayer money each year. Medicaid is most expensive line item in the county budget, totaling $211 million this year. Approximately every dollar collected in property tax goes to New York State to pay our Medicaid bill. These are necessary positions in the battle to control Medicaid costs and ensure that taxpayers aren’t paying for waste and fraud.

When the Legislature returns from recess there will be significant matters to discuss, mainly the 2013 budget and the Buffalo Bills lease. My colleagues in the minority caucus and I will be working closing with the Majority Caucus and County Executive to carefully review these important issues and safeguard taxpayers and necessary services.