By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – Erie County lawmaker Michele Ianello proposed a local law Thursday that would give the legislature power to reject any line item or expenditure -- including personnel.
Ianello says the law is designed to prevent the kind of loop hole that recently allowed the Giambra administration to put retired budget director Joseph Passafiume back on the payroll. Passafiume retired with a pension and full health benefits in the wake of the 2005 budget crisis. He was recently re-hired for $6,000 as a budget consultant for six months. Only contracts greater than $10,000 require legislative approval.
Ianello says that needs to change.
The proposed law would have to be approved by public referendum. The County's Fiscal Stability Authority, however, has already tightened up its policy for approving hires.
Current Budget Director Jim Hartman, who says he recommended Passafiume be re-hired, accused the control board and legislature of micro-managing.
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