Today, Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz issued the following statement following an attempt by the Erie County Legislature to override his veto of Erie County Local Law 13-1-2017, which is also known as the “Made in America” Act. The override attempt was defeated as 6 legislators voted in favor while 5 were opposed; 8 affirmative votes were needed for the measure to succeed.

Poloncarz said, “As I noted in my veto message of September 15, 2017, while Erie County Local Law 13-1-2017 (the “Bill”) seems to be intended to increase the County’s support of American-made products and goods, an intention I am sure we all support in principle, given the Bill’s ambiguous language, minimal detail and failure to follow New York State procurement laws I could not sign it into law. I thank those legislators who agreed with me and voted today to sustain my veto.

I stand at the ready to work with the Legislature to draft and support a law that accomplishes the intentions of this piece of legislation. I wholeheartedly believe the County has a role to play in encouraging the purchase of American-made products and materials but cannot endorse the Bill as presently drafted simply so that I can say we have passed a law. It is our responsibility to enact laws that will withstand legal scrutiny and stand the test of time beyond our tenure in government, not just pass those that are symbolic in nature. I look forward to working with my colleagues at the Erie County Legislature to do just that.”