By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Erie County Legislature will vote on a 2004 proposed budget Friday. The Legislature's Republican majority made minimal changes to the county executive's plan. But some Democratic lawmakers continue to express concerns.
Lawmakers appeared at a special session Wednesday and voted in favor of laying the 2004 proposed budget on the table for a final vote to be cast Friday. But Democratic amendments to the budget, that included sharing the growth of sales tax with the city, were rejected by the Republican majority. Democratic legislator Al DeBenedetti says the budget calls for borrowing too much and inflates revenues. He says the plan would put the county on a "course for disaster."
"We are decreasing our reserve accounts, both fund balance and tobacco settlement money, by spending more of that money," DeBenedetti said. "It is a budget that is fraught with danger, and we are going to put ourselves in a very bad position if not this year, then next."
Democratic lawmaker Lynn Marinelli, who's newly aligned district includes parts of Buffalo, says the budget fails to provide parity for the city.
"We should absolutely help the city of Buffalo in our own way and stop saying we are throwing money at the city," Marinelli said. "We are not talking about giving money to the Common Council or the mayor for that matter. We are talking about helping the citizens we represent here."
But Republican Majority Leader Michael Ranzenhofer says it's a balanced budget that holds the line on property taxes and address public safety needs.
"It is a sound budget it really does not change things from last year," Ranzenhofer said. "Most importantly, it keeps property taxes at an even keel where they have been over the a number of years after we instituted that 30% tax cut. That is the most important thing."
Republicans -- who maintain a majority until the end of the year -- say the budget will be adopted Friday. But DeBenedetti says he expects a final round of behind-the-scenes negotiations by Democrats to try and change the vote.
"We have had discussion with at least one of the member of the Republican caucus who has expressed an interest in our amendments," DeBenedetti said.
DeBenedetti says Democrats want to put their "imprint" on this budget as they prepare to return as the majority next year.