By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The Erie County budget crisis gave voice to a so-called taxpayer revolt. But a new voice is also forming. And it says more taxes are needed to end the crisis.
For months, many residents and business leaders have repeated the cry -- no more taxes. But the new Erie County Community Coalition says that's irresponsible. The group represents a variety of community, religious, and labor groups. They say reforms are needed. But they say so are tax increases. Dan Cross is Program Director for the Coalition. He says slash and burn policies are not the answer.
"These community services are vital to the health and prosperity of our community and it's up to our County officials to take the necessary measures to ensure we have a sufficient revenue stream to pay for them," Cross said.
The group says the ripple effect of lost jobs, services and revenues is hurting the economic stability of the region. The coalition has written a report detailing what they see as the problems and the solutions. Susan Davis is an economics professor at Buffalo State College. She says the public is capable of understanding the complexity of the fiscal crisis. And she says the report lays it out clearly -- without finger pointing.
"Most people's gut reaction is to say there are county workers who are paid too much, or there's too much pork, or something else is going on," said Davis. "We think we need to be fiscally responsible. Certainly, we need to cut waste in government, but we also need to restore our revenue base for healthy government at all levels."
In addition to the report, the Community Coalition is hosting a roundtable and community forum at the Historical Society next Tuesday night at 6:30. They say everyone is invited to attend -- including those who identify themselves more closely with the taxpayer revolt.