By Eric O'Connor
Buffalo, NY – Local and national politicians joined regionalism experts and residents from all over Erie County for Buffalo Conversation III Wednesday night at Daemen College. The merger of Buffalo and Erie county governments was the topic.
Many citizens expressed concern over the quality of Buffalo city schools, the lack of well-paying jobs, and whether or not to include the suburbs in the consolidation. Bruce Katz with the Brookings Institute talked about how important regionalism is for Western New York.
"You have got to make progress on regional reform in this area, in part to grow your economy, build your tax base, and perhaps make an agreement, that as your tax base grows, a portion of it goes back for education," Katz said. "These basic government reforms are related to your competition future and the ability of your children to stay here."
Katz serves as director of the Brookings Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy.
Erie County Executive Joel Giambra, who attended Wednesday night's conversation says a plan for city and county consolidation will be finalized within 60 days and then go to the public to view and eventually vote on.