Legislature committees working on vital issues
LYNN MARINELLI Legislature Chairperson
As chair of the Erie County Legislature, I instituted quarterly meetings of the chairs of the legislature's committees to keep legislators and the public informed on issues and accomplishments.

• Economic development: Committee chair Timothy Kennedy facilitated laws to require all new county buildings to meet environmentally friendly standards and purchase Energy Star-rated equipment, saving the county energy and money. The legislature overwhelmingly adopted these two local laws.

• Finance and management: Legislator Robert Reynolds gave an update on the mid-year budget hearings, adding that county department heads are making 2008 capital spending requests, an important issue to monitor.

• Health: Committee chair Cynthia Locklear's work led the legislature to unanimously vote to reject opting into the state Medicare Intercept due to fiscal uncertainties in future years and instead requested further state Medicaid relief. She also helped formulate the law the legislature approved to stop protecting scofflaws from not paying the county bed tax.

• Community enrichment: Chair legislator Michele Iannello's committee is working on funding for cultural organizations, along with Convention and Visitors Bureau bed tax dedication. I have asked the cultural leaders to advocate and inform the public on dedicated funding that spurs economic growth.

• Government affairs: Under legislature majority leader Maria Whyte, the committee advocated the approval of the Framework for Regional Growth, an important tool for continuing responsible development in Erie County.

• Human services: Under committee chair legislator Thomas Mazur, the Blueprint for Change, which will guide the Department of Social Services in continuing to deliver needed services in efficient manners, will be reviewed and updated.

• Energy and environment: Committee chair legislator Thomas Loughran reports his committee will complete conversations concerning the Erie County and City of Buffalo Parks Agreement and address forest harvesting and housing at homes located in several county parks.

• Public safety: Committee chair legislator Daniel Kozub reports that the Cell Block Agreement with the City of Buffalo is under discussion; some may want the city to spend more supporting this service. Funding sheriff's road patrols and jail overtime costs are being studied.

• Personnel: Legislator Kathy Konst is working on the Ethics Code Revised Local Law and a focus on county-issued cell phones in response to the comptroller's audit. Legislator Konst plans to hold a public meeting with the chair of Explore Buffalo Niagara on the planned September economic development forum in Niagara Falls.