By Eileen Buckley and Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Faced with the daunting task of trying to plug yet another big budget gap, County Executive Joel Giambra is making an urgent plea to the State Legislature.
Giambra is asking Assembly Majority Leader Paul Tokasz and State Senator Dale Volker to drop the county's obligation to share sales tax receipts with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. The county currently shares one-eight of one percent with the NFTA. But Giambra says the county can no longer afford to give the transportation authority that share.
Giambra warned state leaders that cuts to vital public services would have long-lasting negative consequences.
Meanwhile, there seems to be disagreement on who should initiate the next round of budget cuts in Erie County.
Giambra sent a letter to the Legislature Wednesday, calling on lawmakers to act immediately to close the additional $14 million deficit. But legislative leaders responded it's Giambra's responsibility to take remedial action. Majority Leader Lynn Marinello says they want a plan by the close of business Friday.
Marinelli acknowledges making further cuts, on top of the $108 million already made, won't be easy.
County legislators learned Wednesday that $14 million in reserves earmarked for this year may have to be used to balance the 2004 budget.
The Legislature is scheduled to meet Monday.