By Joyce Kryszak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-827958.mp3
Buffalo, NY – The state budget crisis could mean tax hikes for residents and cost nearly 9,000 state workers their jobs. But Erie County's chief executive says the county is in good shape.
The state's budget deficit ballooned by another two plus billion dollars, bringing the total to a staggering $16.2 billion. And there is no relief in sight as negotiations with state unions broke down. That led the governor to threaten the massive lay-offs. Erie County Executive Chris Collins does not see that as a problem. He said state government is bloated.
On the other hand, Collins said the county doesn't have to worry about layoffs. He said the budget is balanced and the workforce was already been right sized during the 2005 budget crisis.
Collins said he is also not worried about county unions putting the county in a pinch down the road.
The Paterson administration failed to get state unions to make concessions on contracts that the governor said were crucial to balancing the budget. But Collins said in Erie County they are negotiating new contracts, not give-backs. And he said they will not sign any new deals that don't lower the county's long-term benefit costs.
The County Executive also repeated his offer to the governor to lend advice or assistance to help the administration implement the Six Sigma model in state government.
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