Buffalo Rising Online

Dec 9th 2008, 9:11pm By Elena Cala Buscarino

The Erie County Legislature reinstated funding to cultural institutions today when they overrode vetoes County Executive Chris Collins turned in this past Monday. The amounts that were voted on today, totaling $800k would return each of the culturals to 95 percent of the funding they received last year - less than what they would like - but unavoidable in this down-turned economy.

Members of the legislature reiterated that the budget they crafted will fund cultural institutions that they see as economy generators. In addition, the legislature says the $9.5 million in cuts they've made to Collins' recommendations will hold the line on property taxes. Collins, however, says that each household will be faced with an additional $24 in taxes. Had Collins' vetoes stood, the increase would have been roughly $18 per household.

The items Collins vetoed ranged from an additional $25 to Irish Classical Theatre to a $360k reserve for the Olmsted Parks. All overrides passed between 11 to 3 votes or 13 to 1, with legislators John Mills, Edward Rath III and/or Thomas Loughran casting the dissenting votes in each case.

In addition to funding cultural institutions in the 2009 budget, the legislature has provided for public safety, health, human services and emergency services at 86 percent, as mandated by state and federal law. Chair of Finance, Management and Budget Committee Kathy Konst said that in the past, the county has been fined for cutting corners on staffing in situations where lives would be put at risk.

Erie County Legislature Chair Lynn M. Marinelli stated, "The bottom line is that the Democratic Majority held the line on taxes for the people of Erie County. It's a tough economy and it was important to the Democrats of the County Legislature to uphold the community's quality of life through its economic drivers. We've taken into consideration the voice of the people. Through checks and balances, we've produced a tight budget - and we're proud of it."

Legislator Bob Reynolds backed up Marinelli's statement by saying, "We know what's going on around our county. [Collins] has lost touch. If he wants to work with us to not increase taxes, he should come and work with us. Our goal was not to raise taxes."

Legislator Dan Kozub gave a sardonic statement about the county executive's remarks that the legislature was adding pork to the budget. "Nobody added funds," Kozub said. "Was it ham when he put it in, and now it's pork coming out?"

Perhaps the most hopeful statement was made by Majority Leader Maria Whyte. "We look forward to working with the county executive in the months ahead. We need to cooperate despite the differences and have productive dialogue as partners."

Marinelli said that Collins' sessions are closed to the legislature, and he does not attend legislature meetings.

All or most of the institutions involved were present at today's session. Thomas Herrera-Mishler of the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Lisa Ludwig of Shakespeare in Delaware Park and Linda Mabry of the Community Music School were all happy for the overrides. Both Herrera-Mishler and Mabry agreed that reserve funding is a fair way to hand out money, as they're willing to work to create matching funds through community events and the procurement of private funding. Ludwig was relieved by the nearly $41.5k allotment Shakespeare in Delaware Park - a summer-long event that certainly draws people and commerce our way - received in today's session.

According to a legislature spokesperson, two cultural institutions, Arts in Education Institute of WNY and Big Orbit Gallery, currently funded at $5k and $15k respectively in the 2009 budget, will be able to look forward to an additional $4,500 and $1,285 when the legislature reconvenes on January 2nd.