Earlier this week, the Erie County Legislature passed an amended budget that would restore funding to libraries and cultural organizations from the cuts that were initially proposed by County Executive Chris Collins.
Representatives came together across party lines to recover this funding and to also restore three auditor positions within the Comptroller’s office. “We made real progress yesterday bringing together Democrats and Republicans to amend the budget with a super majority of votes yesterday,” said Legislature Chair Barbara Miller-Williams. “Now we have to continue to do the work to make sure that the County Executive works with us and does not veto all of the priorities we identified as we voted to change his proposed budget.”
The main concern moving forward from the Annual Session to consider the Budget is whether these amendments will outlive the veto process. “It is my hope that those that voted for those amendments will stay true to their commitments last night and vote to override any vetoes to those lines Collins may sign,” said Miller-Williams.
Collins has from now until December 13 to veto any of the items approved by the Legislature. Miller-Williams said she plans to keep working to make sure that her colleagues stand behind their decisions.
“We are close, but we have not yet crossed the finish line,” said Miller-Williams. “I will declare a victory when these organizations receive the funding that is vital to their survival. I plan to use the upcoming days to try to assure that we can make that happen.”
Should Collins choose to veto any of these amendments, the Legislature will still have the opportunity to override his veto with a super majority vote. If this happens, the amendments passed by the Legislature on Tuesday will remain.
Photo: Two of the rally participants of the Culture Counts demonstration – from Thomas Dooney’s BRO post.