[00:00:05]
I CALLED THIS MEETING TO ORDER, THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE MEETING NUMBER 3 OF THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE, FEBRUARY 6TH, 2025.
[ ROLL CALL]
>> THANK YOU. TODAY'S INVOCATION WILL BE LED BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD.
>> THANK YOU. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING IF YOU CAN FOR THE PLEDGE LED BY LEGISLATOR BARGNESI.
CONTINUING ON NOW OUR TABLE ITEMS. THE RULES FOR THE 2025 LEGISLATURE WILL BE TABLED ON MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
[ TABLED ITEMS: Rules of the Legislature for 2025]
ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.THERE ARE NONE. MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Meeting No. 2]
MAJORITY LEADER, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.>> MOVE FOR MEETING CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR GREENE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> MOTION CARIES. PUBLIC HEARINGS. THERE ARE NONE.
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE 1 AND CONTINUE ON THE PAGE 3, MAJORITY LEADER.
[ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO CONSIDER BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.
MULTIPLE SECONDS. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> MOTION CARRIES. MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE TO AMEND TO INCLUDE AT ALL SPONSORSHIP.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO AMEND TO INCLUDE ALL SPONSORSHIP BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
SECOND BY LEGISLATOR GREENE. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. SECOND?
>> BY LEGISLATOR MILLS. ALL IN FAVOR.
WE WILL NOW TAKE A BREAK FOR PRESENTATION FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH LED BY LEGISLATORS ST. JEAN TARD AND LEGISLATOR DUPRE.
LEGISLATORS THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE WITH THE WEATHER OUT LIKE IT IS, SO IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE HERE.
IT'S MY HONOR TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AS WE CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH, A TIME OF REMEMBRANCE, RECOGNITION, AND REFLECTION ON THE POWERFUL CONTRIBUTIONS AFRICAN AMERICANS HAVE MADE TO OUR NATION'S HISTORY.
THIS YEAR, WE PAY SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO THE ROLE OF AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT, A LEGACY OF RESILIENCE, STRENGTH, AND COLLECTIVE ACTION THAT HAS SHAPED THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
TODAY, I'M PRIVILEGED, ALONG WITH MY PARTNER, LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD, TO RECOGNIZE MANY INDIVIDUALS FROM OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO UPLIFTING WORKERS, PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE, AND ADVOCATING FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE.
CAN I PLEASE START WITH MR. JEFF RICHARDS ARE COMING UP HERE, PLEASE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SERVING TODAY.
>> I BELIEVE THIS MAN IS VERY DESERVING OF THE RECOGNITION.
THIS IS JEFFREY RICHARDSON SR.
HE IS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER WHO HAS MADE GROUNDBREAKING STRIDES IN ORGANIZED LABOR.
HE IS THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESIDENT AND BUSINESS AGENT OF THE ATU LOCAL 1342.
HE REPRESENTS AND FIGHTS FOR OVER 1,600 BUS AND TRAIN OPERATORS,
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MECHANICS, CLERICAL EMPLOYEES, AND RETIREES ACROSS THE REGION.THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE'S DEMONSTRATED REMARKABLE LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION TO WORKERS RIGHTS, HIS ABILITY TO SECURE A LOCAL 1342, FIRST LABOR CONTRACT IN EIGHT YEARS.
THAT'S A BIG DEAL. FIRST LABOR CONTRACT IN EIGHT YEARS.
IT INCLUDED A FOUR YEAR AGREEMENT WITH A 17.25 WAGE INCREASE.
THAT'S AMAZING. I BET IT WAS EASY.
IT SPEAKS VOLUME TO A SKILLS AS A NEGOTIATOR AND AN ADVOCATE.
HIS EFFORTS HAD ONLY IMPROVED WORKING CONDITIONS FOR THE TRANSIT WORKERS, BUT HAVE ALSO STRENGTHENED THE BROADER LABOR MOVEMENT IN BUFFALO AND BEYOND.
BESIDES HIS WORKING AT ATU, HE ALSO SERVED THE PRESIDENT OF THE ATU BLACK CAUCUS, LEAD INITIATIVE THAT UPLIFT BLACK WORKERS ACROSS THE NORTHEAST UNITED STATES AND CANADA.
HIS SERVICE ON THE AFL-CIO EXECUTIVE BOARD FURTHER EXEMPLIFIES HIS INFLUENCE, ENSURING THAT BLACK WORKER VOICES ARE HEARD AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF LABOR LEADERSHIP.
FOR ME PERSONALLY, WHEN I FIRST STARTED THIS, THIS ONE OF THE FIRST MAN THAT REACHED OUT TO ME TO MAKE SURE AS PEOPLE HAVE A VOICE IN THE ROOM AND THAT'S THE TYPE OF STUFF THAT I GO.
THAT'S A LEADER IN MY COMMUNITY.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT JUST IMPORTANT THAT JUST THE COMMUNITY KNOWS WHAT HE DOES, BUT ALL OF ERIE COUNTY, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY.
I WANTED TO GET THIS PROCLAMATION, AND I WON'T GO THROUGH IT ALL BECAUSE WE GOT A COUPLE.
BUT I WANT TO SAY, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR DOES HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE AND EXTEND OUR CONGRATULATIONS AND SINCERE APPRECIATION TO JEFFREY RICHARDSON SR AND RECOGNIZING THIS EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION AND LOYALTY TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THIS HONORABLE BODY HERE HEREBY HONORS MR. RICHARDSON AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO LEARN AND UNDERSTAND BLACK AMERICAN HISTORY, LABOR UNIONS, AND CULTURES.
>> THANK YOU. I'LL BE BRIEF BECAUSE THEY SAY I'M LONG WINDED, SO I'LL BE BRIEF.
I JUST WANTED TO THANK THE COMMITTEE, AND ALL THE LEGISLATOR THAT'S HERE, THE CHAIR.
I WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. DUPRE AND THE CO-WORKER FOR GIVING ME THIS HONOR.
THIS REPRESENTS ALL AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE ATU AND IN THE OTHER LABOR UNIONS ACROSS AMERICA.
I'M PROUD TO SERVE YOU, I'M PROUD TO SERVE EVERYBODY.
I'M PROUD TO DO THE JOB THAT I'VE DONE FOR THE NFTA FOR THE LAST 36 YEARS.
I'M VERY PROUD, I'M VERY HONORED TO BE A PART OF THE BLACK CAUCUS PRESIDENT FOR THE WHOLE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CANADA.
I DON'T TAKE THAT JOB LIGHTLY.
I WILL TAKE THE JOB OF BEING PART OF THE AFL-CIO OR THE CLC.
WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM OVER THERE THAT WORKS HARD.
MY BOARD OF ATU LOCAL 1342, I AM SO PROUD OF THEM.
HOPEFULLY, I CAN BE PROUD AND CONTINUE TO WORK FOR MANY MORE YEARS TO COME. THANK YOU.
I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF INTRODUCING ANGELA BLUE.
SHE IS THE EPITOME OF WORKING HARD FOR SO MANY PEOPLE.
SHE'S BEEN PART OF THE LABOR UNION SINCE 2001, VOTED AS A RECORD SECRETARY FOR THE BUFFALO URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY, CSEA LOCAL 815 DURING 12 YEARS OF EMPLOYMENT THERE.
ON TOP OF THAT, WHAT MAKES HER SO SPECIAL AND I WAS TELLING YOU THIS EARLIER IS THAT SHE MENTORED SO MANY PEOPLE FOR YEARS.
THEN ON TOP OF THAT, SHE MADE OUR LABOR MOVEMENT MORE DIVERSE.
I CAN TALK ABOUT HER ALL DAY LONG. TRUST ME I WON'T.
BUT I WANT TO JUST RECOGNIZE SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT SHE DID.
SHE COORDINATED COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING.
AS SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS DISTRICT 2, A DIVERSE DISTRICT, WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE ANGELA BLUE.
WE NEED SOMEONE WHO'S CONSTANTLY, MOVING THINGS FORWARD.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MENTION ALSO.
SHE'S BEEN MARRIED FOR 40 YEARS TO HER AMAZING HUSBAND, REVEREND MARK BLUE.
NONSTOP, SHE DOESN'T ONLY WORK IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT.
SHE MAKES IT BETTER. ANGELA, COME CLOSER.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY TODAY, RESOLVE THAT ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATOR DOES HEREBY HONOR ANGELA BLUE FOR HER EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION AND NOBLE SERVICE TO IMPROVE LABOR UNIONS,
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ALONG WITH HER TIRELESS EFFORT TO IMPROVE LIVES IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO AND THROUGHOUT ERIE COUNTY.ANGELA, ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
THANK YOU FOR BEING BEHIND THE SCENES, MAKING THINGS HAPPEN BECAUSE I SEE IT ALL THE TIME.
I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR A WHILE, AND THIS IS A HONOR FOR ME TO GIVE THIS TO YOU BECAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS GET RECOGNIZED, AND YOU DESERVE THIS RECOGNITION. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. TO THIS BODY, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO LEGISLATOR DUPRE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL FOR RECOGNIZING BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND THE THEME THIS YEAR IS BLACKS AND LABOR HISTORY.
I AM SO HONORED TO STAND HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY.
I TELL EVERYONE THAT IS NEW IN THE LABOR MOVEMENT THAT IT'S NOT A JOB.
IT'S A LIFESTYLE. WE'RE INVOLVED IN WORKERS' LIVES FROM INCEPTION TO MAYBE WHEN THEY END UP ON A PICKET LINE.
MAYBE WHEN THEY ARE INVOLVED IN A LOCKOUT.
THERE'S MANY THINGS THAT HAPPEN DURING THE COURSE OF EMPLOYMENT, AND LABOR UNIONS ARE VERY VITAL TO THAT WORK.
WE'RE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN WESTERN NEW YORK WHERE I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT PRESIDENT PETER DE JESUS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
THE WORK THAT WE DO AT THE AFL-CIO.
IT STRETCHES BEYOND JUST WORKERS.
IT STRETCHES INTO THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE HE'S VERY IMPORTANT.
OUR WORKERS ARE OUR NEIGHBORS.
ONCE WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE COURSE OF A WORK DAY, WE UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT BETTER HOW THEY ARE CONDUCTING THEMSELVES AS PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.
I AGAIN, I AM SO HAPPY AND SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS HONOR.
I'D JUST LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL BLESSINGS.
THANK YOU. THIS IS AMAZING. THANK YOU.
>> NO. THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH FOR HAVING ANGELA BLUE COME UP HERE.
THIS IS AN AMAZING THING. FOR MY NEXT PERSON, WE'D LIKE TO HONOR.
I'D LIKE TO HONOR A PERSON WHO I BELIEVE IS A TRAIL BLAZER IN A LABOR MOVEMENT, A LEADER IN A BUFFALO AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, AND A STEADFAST ADVOCATE FOR MUSICIANS RIGHTS.
HE IS UNABLE TO COME UP HERE TODAY, AND I'M TALKING ABOUT A HONORED ROGER BLACKWELL SR. ROGERS IS NOT ABLE TO COME UP HERE, BUT I DO HAVE HIS SON JAMES BLACKWELL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING UP HERE TODAY, SIR.
I JUST WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS BEFORE I LET YOU SPEAK ABOUT YOUR AMAZING FATHER.
I JUST KNOW HE'S HAD A LOT OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS, LOCAL 533.
I'M SORRY. JUST LET YOU SPEAK ON YOUR FATHER.
>> MY FATHER WITH THE ICE STORM IS RUNNING A LITTLE BIT BEHIND, SO UNFORTUNATELY, YOU GUYS HAVE TO HEAR FROM ME, AND I'M SURE EVERYONE WOULD RATHER HEAR FROM HIM AND HEAR SOME STORIES.
I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT, BUT I WILL SAY ABOUT MY DAD, IT'S BEEN INTERESTING BEING IN THE MEETINGS WITH HIM GROWING UP.
I'VE BEEN BLESSED TO BE AROUND MY FATHER WHO WAS A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND A LOT OF OTHER COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS, A LOT OF THE HEROES, IF YOU WILL, OF BUFFALO AND OF THE STATE.
AS MY FATHER GETS A LITTLE BIT OLDER, HE REPRESENTS A GENERATION OF ACTIVISTS THAT RIGHT NOW, WE'RE FORCED TO ASK THE QUESTION OF WHAT IS OUR GOAL? WHAT ARE WE DOING? WHAT'S OUR MISSION.
MANY TIMES I'LL RUN OVER TO THE HOUSE FOR DINNER, AND MY DAD WILL GET ON ME AND HE'LL BE LIKE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHAT ARE YOU FIGHTING FORK? WHAT'S HAPPENING? THEN I SIT THERE AND I'M LIKE, THERE'S NO RIGHT ANSWER.
NOTHING AGAINST ALL OF YOU, BUT MAN, I MEAN, IT'S TOUGH.
I'M VERY PROUD OF MY FATHER, A LOT OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT HE'S HAD ALONGSIDE ALL OF THE OTHER ACTIVISTS OF HIS TIME,
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AND HE'S DONE HIS BEST TO BRING UP THE NEXT GENERATION.CERTAINLY, THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE.
I APPRECIATE THE LEGISLATURE, LEGISLATOR DUPRE, I APPRECIATE THE RECOGNITION FOR MY FATHER.
IF YOU WANT TO HEAR ALL, LIKE THE OLD TIME STORIES, HE'LL BE GOOD FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OF THAT. I APPRECIATE YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY BEFORE YOU STEP DOWN, AND I WANT TO SAY, WHEREAS MR. BLACKWELL MADE WEST NEW YORK HIS HOME OVER 60 YEARS AGO AND HE MADE ITS LIFE WORK TO UPLIFT, AND DEFENDS HIS COMMUNITY AT EVERY TURN.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THIS HONORABLE BODY HEREBY HIGHLIGHTS AND HONOR THE LEGACY THAT ROGER I BLACKWELL, RECOGNIZING HIS HARD WORK, DEDICATION, AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO LEARN AND UNDERSTAND BLACK AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE. HERE YOU GO. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> NOW, FOR MY LAST ONE, DURING THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH, WE WANT TO HONOR LOCAL 533 RECOGNIZING COLOR MUSICIANS CLUB DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
I WAS GOING TO HAVE DR. SCOTT SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF, BUT I DON'T THINK HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT IN DUE TO THE WEATHER AT THIS TIME.
I WILL TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS DURING AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH, WE CELEBRATE THE VAST CONTRIBUTION OF AFRICAN AMERICANS TO OUR NATION'S HISTORY AND IDENTIFIED THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, AND WHEREAS THE OBSERVANCE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH CALLS OUR ATTENTION TO THE CONTINUED NEED TO BATTLE RACISM AND BUILD A SOCIETY THAT LIVES UP TO ITS DEMOCRATIC IDEAS, AND WHEREAS THE 2025 BLACK HISTORY MONTH THEME, AFRICAN AMERICAN AND LABOR IS A POWERFUL REFLECTION ON THE PIVOTAL ROLE THAT THE HARD WORK OF AFRICAN AMERICANS HAS PLAYED IN SHAPING OUR COUNTRY'S HISTORY.
WHEREAS THIS THE UNDERSCORES THE DIVERSE AND SIGNIFICANT WAYS IN WHICH LABOR, WHETHER VOLUNTARILY OR INVOLUNTARILY, SKILLED OR UNSKILLED HAS BEEN AT THE CORE OF THE BLACK AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
WHEREAS, THE REMARKABLE STORY OF BUFFALO'S AFRICAN AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS, LOCAL 533 IS ONE OF PERSEVERANCE, VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, AND LONG RANGE STRATEGIC PLANNING, IN A PERIOD OF US HISTORY MARKED BY RACIAL INTOLERANCE AND LEGALIZED DISCRIMINATION.
>> WHEREAS ON FEBRUARY 3RD, 1917, THE FIRST WAVE OF BUFFALO'S AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSICIANS JOINED THE RANKS OF THE LABOR UNION MOVEMENT WHEN THEY RECEIVED THEIR AFM CERTIFICATION OF AFFILIATION IN A FORM OF MUSICIANS UNIT.
WHEREAS 18 YEARS LATER, LOCAL 533 FOUND A PERMANENT HOME AT 145 BROADWAY AND INCORPORATED THE COLORED MUSICIANS CLUB, THE ONLY REMAINING AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSICIANS CLUB IN THE COUNTRY.
WHEREAS THROUGHOUT ITS STORIED HISTORY, LOCAL 533 OFFERED FREE MUSIC LESSONS TO THE PUBLIC, CREATED EMERGENCY FUND FOR MEMBERS IN FINANCIAL DISTRESS, DEATH BENEFITS FOR FAMILIES OF MEMBERS.
THEY ELECTED A WOMAN PRESIDENT AND FORMED A CREDIT UNION FOR ITS MEMBERS SO THEY COULD BUY CARS AND HOMES AND TRULY LIVE THE AMERICAN DREAM.
WHEREAS LOCAL 533'S HIGH STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM HAD OTHER SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ON AMERICAN MUSIC, AND WHEREAS LOCAL 533 BECAME NATIONALLY KNOWN TO ALL OF AMERICA'S MOST POPULAR MUSICIANS LIKE DUKE ELLINGTON AND COUNT BASIE.
WHEREAS LOCAL 533 SIGNIFICANT NATIONAL IMPACT ON THE LABOR MOVEMENT BEGAN WHEN THE AFM NATIONAL OFFICE RECOGNIZED THE EXCELLENCE OF ITS MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAMS, AND WHEREAS THE IMPACT OF LOCAL 533 AND A COLOR MUSICIANS CLUB RUNS DEEP IN WESTERN NEW YORK, AND WE WILL FOREVER REMEMBER THEIR RICH HISTORY AND INDIVIDUALS WHO PAVED THE WAY FOR SO MANY BLACK AND BROWN INDIVIDUALS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THIS HONORABLE BODY HEREBY HIGHLIGHTS AND HONOR THE LEGACY OF AMF BLACK LOCAL 533, RECOGNIZING THE LAST THREE SURVIVING LOCAL 533 MEMBERS, DAWOUD, LESLIE, AND STANLEY, AND ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS TO LEARN AND UNDERSTAND BLACK HISTORY, BLACK-AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE.
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. IT WAS IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT I GET TO GIVE A LITTLE LIST OF WHAT THEY DID.
THEY DID SO MANY THINGS AND I JUST THINK IT'S AN AMAZING WHAT THEY DID DURING A TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHEN IT WASN'T EASY,
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AND THEY PUSHED FORWARD, AND THEY DID THINGS WE STILL STRUGGLE TO DO.THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT IT'S ROUGH TIMES THAT WE CAN ALWAYS PUSH THROUGH AND IT'S GOING TO GET BETTER.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING.
>> WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE JOHNNA REED SING FOR US.
SHE'S SOMEWHERE TRYING TO GET HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO MY OTHER PRESENTATION, WHICH IS CITIZENS OF THE MONTH.
I HAVE A PLEASURE OF RECOGNIZING A CHANGE MAKER, AN AMAZING WOMAN, I LIED.
THANK YOU, JOHNNA REED. SHE IS HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO ACTUALLY TAKE A BREAK, AND I'M GOING TO HAVE JOHNNA REED COME UP AND SING LIFT EVERY VOICE AND THEN I'LL GO TO MY SPECIAL PRESENTATION.
>> LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING, UNTIL EARTH AND HEAVEN RING, RING WITH THE HARMONIES OF LIBERTY, LET OUR REJOICING RISE, HIGH AS THE LISTENING SKIES, LET IT RESOUND LOUD AS THE ROLLING SEA, SING A SONG FULL OF THE FAITH THAT THE DARK PAST HAS TAUGHT US, SING A SONG FULL OF THE HOPE THAT THE PRESENT HAS BROUGHT US, FACING THE RISING SUN OF OUR NEW DAY BEGUN, LET US MARCH ON UNTIL VICTORY IS WON.
LET US MARCH ON UNTIL VICTORY IS WON. [APPLAUSE]
>>JOANNA REED IS ONE OF MY MENTEES, AND HER VOICE IS INCREDIBLE.
SHE DOES SO MUCH IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH SHARING YOUR VOICE TODAY FOR US.
[APPLAUSE] [INAUDIBLE]. LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN.
I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHANGEMAKERS IN DISTRICT 2, ELLEN HARRIS-HARVEY.
[APPLAUSE] ELLEN IS, I WILL TELL YOU, SHE MEANS BUSINESS.
SHE'S A PRESIDENT OF THE TRINIDAD BLACK CLUB, WHO'S CURRENTLY MAKING SURE THAT THAT BLACK CLUB HAS FUNDING.
MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A DOG PARK SOON.
SHE'S DOING A LOT OF THINGS, BUT ON TOP OF THAT, WHICH I ALWAYS MAKE THE JOKE, SHE DOESN'T SLEEP, SHE IS A BUFFALO NIAGARA WATER KEEPER.
SHE'S AN EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER FOR THE NCCP.
SHE IS FOUNDER OF A RADIO SHOW ON WFO.
ALSO, WHAT I LOVE ABOUT HER IS THAT SHE WORKS TIRELESSLY FOR THE COMMUNITY ON SO MANY LEVELS.
WHEN THERE'S A QUALITY LIFE ISSUE, YOU WOULD THINK THEY WILL CALL THE ELECTIVE, THEY CALL HER.
[LAUGHTER] WHEN THERE IS CONSTANT THINGS THAT SHE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BLACK CLUB OR EVEN HER COMMUNITY IS INFORMED ON,
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SHE TAKES THAT INITIATIVE, AND SHE PUSHES FORWARD.I COULDN'T THINK OF ANYONE ELSE WHO DESERVES THIS HONOR MORE THAN YOU, BECAUSE I SWEAR YOU WORK 20 JOBS AND YOU DO IT FOR FREE BECAUSE YOU LOVE THE COMMUNITY.
YOU REALLY DO, AND I KNOW I'M GOING TO LET YOU SPEAK FOR A SECOND, BUT I JUST WANT TO HONOR YOU TODAY AS THE CITIZEN OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY 2025, BECAUSE OF YOUR EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION, HOW YOU ADVOCATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND HOW YOU STAY COMMITTED NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.
WHEN TOUGH DAYS HAPPEN, YOU STILL ARE THERE.
EVEN FOR ME AS A NEW LEGISLATOR, I CAN CALL ON YOU AND YOU WILL STILL BE THERE.
EVEN DAY BEFORE 24-HOUR NOTICE, YOU'RE THERE FOR ME.
I THINK HAVING PEOPLE LIKE YOU IN THIS COMMUNITY AS A TRAILBLAZER MAKES A DIFFERENCE.
THANK YOU, AND I'LL LET YOU SPEAK FOR A SECOND.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE LEGISLATIVE [INAUDIBLE] FOR THIS WONDERFUL HONOR ON TODAY.
SHE CALLED ME, I THINK IT WAS ON TUESDAY.
I'M JUST GRATEFUL THAT I'M BEING HONORED FOR A CITIZEN OF THE MONTH.
I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE TITLE LINE OF WHAT SHE WAS HONORING ME FOR, BUT I KNOW THAT I WAS TAUGHT AS A YOUNG CHILD THAT IT'S BETTER TO GIVE THAN IT IS TO RECEIVE.
I'M GRATEFUL THAT THIS HONOR IS HAPPENING DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH.
BECAUSE I AM A TRUE GIVER BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN GIVEN SO MUCH.
I POUR MY ENERGY INTO THE COMMUNITY SO THAT I CAN GIVE BACK TO OTHERS, SOMETHING THAT THEY MIGHT NOT REALIZE THEY NEED.
I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I WORKED WITH SO MANY WONDERFUL PIONEERS.
BROTHER IVER BELL WANTED TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT I DID NOT WANT HIM TO COME OUT BECAUSE IT'S TOO DANGEROUS.
I WORKED WITH HIM ON THE BUFFALO AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM, AND WE'RE DOING A BLACK HISTORY MONTH TOUR EVERY SATURDAY THIS MONTH WITH THIS ORGANIZATION.
THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR FOR OUR TOURS, THE THIRD YEAR FOR TOGETHER AS ONE.
I'M JUST GRATEFUL THAT GOD HAS PUT ME IN THE PATH OF SO MANY KNOWLEDGEABLE LEADERS WHO REALLY HAVE GIVEN BACK TO THE COMMUNITY ALL THEIR LIVES.
THAT'S THE EXAMPLE WE ALL NEED TO FOLLOW.
GIVING BACK, YOU CAN'T GIVE ENOUGH.
I THANK GOD FOR THE HONOR ON TODAY.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH, LET'S CELEBRATE OUR HISTORY, OUR HERITAGE, AND THE LEGACY OF THE SOLDIERS THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US AND THE SACRIFICES THEY MADE SO WE COULD BE RIGHT HERE TODAY.
>> I THANK GOD THAT HE WOULD GIVE ME THE STRENGTH TO CONTINUE THIS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY.
MAYBE REDUCE SOME OF THE ORGANIZATIONS I WORK WITH BECAUSE I'M GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF THEM, BUT SOMETIMES VOLUNTEERISM IS SOMETHING YOU DO FROM THE HEART.
IS SELFLESS SERVICE. I LOOK AT IT AS MINISTRY BECAUSE THIS IS A LEGACY OF MINISTRY FOR ME.
>> THANK YOU ALL OUR GUESTS FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING HERE [INAUDIBLE].
I JUST WANT TO SAY, JEFF RICHARDSON IS 35 OR 36 YEARS THERE.
I WORK FOR ONE YEARS FOR THE NFTA THERE, SO YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOURSELF. IT'S A GREAT JOB.
CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA, LOCAL LAWS.
[ LOCAL LAWS:]
LOCAL LAW INTRO 2-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING LOCAL LAW 7-1, AS INDICATED.[ COMMITTEE REPORTS:]
REPORT NUMBER 1 FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD.>> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> WE GOT A MOTION TO ACCEPT BY IT ST. JEAN TARD AND SECOND BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> THANK YOU. REPORT NUMBER 1 FOR THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE LEGISLATIVE SHOWING.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY LEGISLATOR KOOSHOIAN AND SECOND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> REPORT NUMBER 1 FROM THE ENERGY ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE. LEGISLATOR BARGNESI.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY LEGISLATOR BARGNESI, SECOND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR.
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>> MOTION CARRIED. REPORT NUMBER 1 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, LEGISLATOR DUPRE.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY LEGISLATOR DUPRE, SECOND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSE. MOTION CARRIES.
SORRY. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS, INTRO 3-1 FROM LEGISLATOR TODARO ENDORSING
[ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:]
THE BUFFALO LANCASTER REGIONAL AIRPORT FOR ACCESS TO THE AIR NEW YORK CAPITOL GRAND. MAJORITY LEADER.>> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO.
>> THANK YOU. INTRO 3-2 FROM THE LEGISLATOR ST.
JEAN TARD WILL BE SENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.
INTRO 3-3, LEGISLATOR MYERS AND LEGISLATOR JEAN CHANGING THE DATES, START TIMES OF 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.
>> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. INTRO 3-4 FROM LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD, APPROPRIATION OF 2025 PUBLIC BENEFIT MONEY. MAJORITY LEADER.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO AMEND BY A LEGISLATOR [INAUDIBLE].
>> MOTION TO AMEND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED. MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
MOTION TO APPROVE AMENDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR MILLS. ALL IN FAVOR?
INTRO 3-5 FOR THE MINORITY [INAUDIBLE].
REQUESTING ADDITIONAL CHIPS FUNDING IN THE NEW YORK STATE 2026 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET, MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE TO AMEND WITH WHAT'S BEEN HANDED OUT.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO AMEND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY THE MINORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION. I'M SORRY. PUBLIC QUESTION?
>> LEGISLATOR [INAUDIBLE] THE FLOOR.
>> [INAUDIBLE]. WE DISCUSSED SENDING IT TO COMMITTEE AND IF IT'S NOT BEING SENT TO COMMITTEE I ASKED PEOPLE TO CONSIDER VOTING NO ON THIS FOR THESE REASONS.
FIRST OFF, WE'RE REPRESENTING ERIE COUNTY, NOT ALL THE COUNTIES IN NEW YORK STATE.
IN ERIE COUNTY, THE FACTS STATED IN THIS RESOLUTION AREN'T ACCURATE IN MY READING OF IT AND IN THE FACTS, AND I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE LENDING OUR NAMES IF IT'S NOT FACT ACCURATE.
THE MAIN THING IS THAT THE PRIME PREMISE OF IT, ONE OF THE PREMISES IS THAT BECAUSE OF COVID, THERE WERE INCREASES IN INFLATION AND THERE WAS INCREASING COSTS, WHICH ARE BOTH TRUE.
THE THING THAT IT FAILS TO SAY IS THAT DURING THAT TIME FOR GOVERNMENT THINGS, WE HAD RECORD-BREAKING HISTORIC ALLOCATION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO OUR LOCAL PLACES IN NEW YORK STATE TO THE TUNE OF $150 BILLION, AND AS A RESULT OF THAT, IT'S NOT ACCURATE TO STATE THAT OUR ROADS ARE IN BAD CONDITION BECAUSE OF LACK OF FEDERAL FUNDING, SO BECAUSE OF COVID IS NOT TRUE, THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.
THAT AS FAR AS FROM ERIE COUNTY, OUR ROADS IN ERIE COUNTY ARE OBJECTIVELY IN THE BEST CONDITION THAT THEY'VE EVER BEEN, SO TO SAY THAT THIS IS THERE IS NOT ACCURATE.
SECOND OF [INAUDIBLE] IS THAT THIS IS ALL THE TIME IN MY LIFE, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT WE'VE HAD GOVERNOR FROM WESTERN NEW YORK.
AS A RESULT, ERIE COUNTY HAS BEEN AWARDED SO MUCH MORE, SO WE NOW HAVE OUR FAIR SHARE IN ERIE COUNTY.
TO PUT A STICK IN SOMEONE'S EYE OVER THE FACT THAT STATEWIDE HIGHWAY THINGS WANT TO ASK FOR MORE FOR CHIP WITHOUT RECOGNIZING WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE $150 BILLION THAT CAME THROUGH THIS AREA? WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THAT? WHAT DID YOU DO? ARE YOU ROADS IN WORSE SHAPE OR ARE THEY IN BETTER SHAPE? WITHOUT GOING TO COMMITTEE AND FINDING THOSE QUESTIONS OUT, THAT I THINK THAT WE IN ERIE COUNTY ARE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE AS FAR AS WHAT WE'VE GIVEN FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
JUST THIS PAST YEAR, WE GOT $22 MILLION IN JUST FOR BRIDGE REPAIR IN OUR COUNTY.
THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY WRITTEN IN MY OPINION BY SOMEBODY NOT FROM ERIE COUNTY AND NOT ADDRESSING OUR SITUATION IN ERIE COUNTY.
WE'VE HAD SO MANY HUGE INCREASES IN THAT.
SECOND IS THAT THAT THERE'S NEVER BEEN A TIME THAT WE ARE MORE UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION.
EVEN THOUGH CHIPS IS A STATE PROGRAM, IT'S RELATED TO THE FEDERAL,
[00:35:01]
AND IT'S ABOUT THAT.>> THE OTHER THING IS THAT IN ERIE COUNTY, IN ADDITION TO USING OUR FUNDS FOR ALL OUR INCREASED REVENUES TO HELP WITH OUR ROADS THAT THE COUNTY HIGHWAY PEOPLE HAD THE BRILLIANT IDEA OF LET'S GET POUNDAGE ON ASHVILLE.
BECAUSE OF THAT WHEN EVERYONE ELSE'S RATES WERE GOING UP IN THE COUNTY ON ASHVILLE, WE HAD LOCKED IN LOW RATES ON ASHVILLE BECAUSE SOMEBODY WHO WORKS AT THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT CAME UP WITH A BRILLIANT IDEA FORTUITOUSLY TO DO THAT.
WE'VE HAD SO MUCH MORE SURFACE WORK THAN OTHER COUNTIES BECAUSE WE LOCKED IT IN AT THAT PRICE DUE TO THE FORESIGHT OF SOME INDIVIDUALS THERE.
WITH THE UNCERTAINTY IN THE FEDERAL, WITH THE FACT THAT WE'RE IN SHAPE NOW.
THE OTHER THING IS THAT DURING COVID, WE FOUGHT AGAINST ANY TAX INCREASES OF RATES.
I CAN'T VOTE FOR THIS TO INCREASE TAXES IN NEW YORK STATE FOR $250 MILLION WITHOUT FUNDING OF WHERE IT'S GOING TO COME FROM.
THIS IS SAYING THAT WE WANT $250,000 MORE TO COME AND I DON'T WANT ERIE COUNTY TAXPAYERS TO PAY FOR ROADS THAT OTHER PEOPLE, OURS ARE AT THE BEST LEVEL THEY'VE EVER BEEN, TO PAY FOR ROADS THAT ARE GOING TO GO TO OTHER COUNTIES RIGHT NOW.
SOME OF THESE THINGS COULD BE ADDRESSED IF WE THOUGHT ABOUT IT MORE THAN JUST THROWING IT ON IT TODAY.
THE THING IS IS THAT I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF $250 MILLION TAX INCREASE IN NEW YORK STATE TO FUND OTHER PEOPLE'S ROADS IF THEY DIDN'T USE FEDERAL MONEY WHEN WE AND OUR ERIE COUNTY HAVE THE BEST SHAPE ROADS, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE GETTING THOSE AS MUCH AS OTHERS.
FOR THOSE REASONS, I ASKED HIM, IF IT'S NOT GOING TO GO TO COMMITTEE I ASKED FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE AGAINST IT, WHICH EVERYBODY THINKS MOTORS MORE, WHICH IS GREAT, BUT IT HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE AT SOME COST, AND IT'S NOT NECESSARILY, THIS RESOLUTION, DOESN'T MEAN ERIE COUNTY IS GOING TO GET A PENNY MORE.
IT JUST MEANS THAT EITHER $250 MILLION OF OTHER SERVICES WON'T COME OR THAT WE'LL BE INCREASING OUR TAXES TO HAVE OTHER COUNTIES GET MORE HIGHWAY FUNDS, AND I CAN'T VOTE FOR THAT RIGHT NOW.
>> THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR. BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER, I HAVE ONE MOTION ON THE FLOOR TO APPROVE AS AMENDED.
DO I HAVE A SECOND ON THAT MOTION? I HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR GREENE AT THIS TIME, I'LL RECOGNIZE LEGISLATOR GREENE.
JUST REAL QUICK TO ADDRESS A COUPLE OF THESE ISSUES.
NUMBER 1, OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THE COST OF SUPPLIES, ROAD ASPHALT, AND ALL THE OTHER SUPPLIES GO INTO MAINTAINING OUR ROADS HAVE GONE UP SOMEWHERE 30-50% DEPENDING ON WHO'S NUMBERS YOU LOOK AT.
THE CHIP FUNDING HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 1981, TAKES CARE OF 87% OF THE ROADS IN NEW YORK STATE.
IT TAKES CARE OF OUR LOCAL ROADS, INCLUDING THE COUNTY, INCLUDING OUR TOWNS AND OUR VILLAGES.
THIS IS ACTUALLY MONEY THAT WE'RE REQUESTING TO HELP KEEP UP WITH THE RATE OF INFLATION THAT WOULD IMPACT ERIE COUNTY ROADS AS WELL AS OUR MUNICIPALITIES.
THIS IS A BIPARTISAN REQUEST BY THE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENTS THROUGHOUT NEW YORK STATE AND INCLUDING THE ONES IN ERIE COUNTY.
THE NOTION THAT THIS IS GOING TO INCREASE TAXES IS JUST NOT TRUE.
IT'S A REQUEST. THERE'S TWO PODS OF MONEY RIGHT NOW.
FIRST OF ALL, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FEDERAL FUNDS WHATSOEVER.
FEDERAL FUNDS GO INTO THAT 13% OF ROADS THAT THE DOT MAINTAINS.
THAT MONEY, THIS YEAR IS GOING UP BY $800 MILLION.
THE 13% OF ROADS, I'LL REPEAT THAT, THAT THE DOT MAINTAINS IS GOING UP BY $800 MILLION.
CONVERSELY, WE ARE FLAT WITH THE ROADS THAT WE'RE MAINTAINING.
THE NOTION THAT ERIE COUNTY ROADS ARE IN PERFECT SHAPE IS FAR FROM TRUE.
ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS GO DOWN MAPLE ROAD IN AMHERST AND HOPE THAT YOUR BACK IS STILL IN ONE PIECE BY THE TIME YOU GET FROM NORTH FOREST ALL THE WAY TO UB.
WE NEED MORE MONEY TO MAINTAIN THESE ROADS.
IT'S JUST THE NATURE OF WHAT WE DO HERE IN ERIE COUNTY AND WHAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH AS FAR AS ROADS AND THE WEATHER AND HOW IT IMPACTS IT.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS. THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US AS A BODY TO COME TOGETHER AND REPRESENT ALL OF ERIE COUNTY.
IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ALL OF OUR DIFFERENT VILLAGES, TOWNS, AND MUNICIPALITIES TO HAVE THIS CHIPS FUNDING.
THEY'VE BEEN SUFFERING FOR YEARS WITH THE RISING COST OF CONSTRUCTION.
I THINK THERE'S THIS CONFUSION ABOUT FEDERAL FUNDING.
THIS IS FUNDING THAT IS MADE AVAILABLE TO ROADS THAT SPECIFICALLY WOULDN'T OTHERWISE QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL FUNDING.
THERE ARE SO MANY ROADS, AND I KNOW I DON'T NEED TO SPEAK FOR LEGISLATOR MILLS.
LEGISLATOR MILLS AND MYSELF REPRESENT A VERY LARGE GEOGRAPHIC PART OF ERIE COUNTY, NOT JUST A FEW TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
I HAVE EIGHT TOWNS AND TWO VILLAGES AND THEY RELY SO MUCH ON THIS FUND TO FIX ROADS THAT OTHERWISE WOULDN'T QUALIFY FOR STATE FUNDING OR FEDERAL FUNDING BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE TRAFFIC COUNT.
IT DOESN'T MEAN A SCHOOL BUS OF CHILDREN ISN'T DRIVING DOWN THESE ROADS, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT ISN'T A SAFETY PROBLEM IN ERIE COUNTY.
IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP THIS FUNDING COMING SO THAT WE CAN SUPPORT ALL OF ERIE COUNTY AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE.
[00:40:01]
I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT WE SHOULD BRING INTO QUESTION WHAT OUR TOWN SPENT FUNDING ON AS A RESULT OF THIS FROM COVID FUNDING.I THINK WE CAN SUPPORT THIS AND SUPPORT CONTINUING THAT CHIPS INVESTMENT, AND IT COMES DOWN TO A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES.
THIS ISN'T A $250 MILLION BANDWIDTH THAT WERE SANCTIONS FALL IN NEW YORK STATE TAXPAYERS, IN ADDITION TO EVERY OTHER BUDGETED AMENDMENT.
IT'S SAYING THAT WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE SAFETY AND TRANSPORTATION TO MAKE OUR COUNTY A SUCCESSFUL PLACE TO LIVE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, LEGISLATOR. WE HAVE A [INAUDIBLE].
>> I JUST WANTED TO [INAUDIBLE] THE SECOND.
>> LEGISLATOR VINAL, FOR THE SECOND TIME.
>> THIS ISN'T ASKING FOR FUNDING FOR ERIE COUNTY.
I JUST WANT THAT TO BE 100% CLEAR.
THIS IS ASKING FOR FUNDING ACROSS THE STATE.
THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT EVEN A PENNY OF THIS IS GOING TO COME TO ERIE COUNTY.
IF IT WERE ASKING FOR FUNDING FOR ERIE COUNTY, I'D BE ALL IN FAVOR OF IT, BUT I'M NOT AGREEING TO THIS AS A STATE.
IT DOESN'T SAY ONE EVEN PENNY WILL COME TO ERIE COUNTY.
>> WE HAVE A PROPER MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER AND A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR GREENE.
>> ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED, LEGISLATOR GREENE.
>> CONTINUE ON INTRO 3-1 FROM LEGISLATOR VINAL, REAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC BENEFIT MONEY, MAJORITY ORDER.
MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
>> WE HAVE MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOTION CARRIES. COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGE FROM COMMITTEE MAJORITY LEADER.
[ COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE:]
ARE THESE THE DISCHARGES?>> I HAVE THREE DISCHARGES. I MOVE DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION 2E-6 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, ACCEPTANCE OF STATE AID FOR THE STSJP FUNDING.
>> THERE IS A MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
>> I'M SORRY. MOTION TO DISCHARGE FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER.
SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THERE'S A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
SECOND BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THANK YOU. NEXT, MAJORITY LEADER.
I MOVE TO DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION 2E-7 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.
IT'S THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND SHELTER IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION 2E-7 FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THERE'S A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM DISCHARGE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> MOVE TO DISCHARGE COMMUNICATION 2E-19 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE, THE REAPPOINTMENT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PERSONNEL.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO DISCHARGE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR, VINAL.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE DISCHARGE.
>> YEAH. I'LL EXPLAIN MY VOTE HERE REAL QUICK.
I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO STAY BACK IN COMMITTEE BECAUSE IT'S REALLY JUST NOT RIGHT QUITE YET FOR A VOTE.
WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS WE HAVE AN OPINION GOING BACK TO 2015 THAT WAS WRITTEN BASED ON THE ADVICE OF COUNSEL IN ALBANY THAT HAS CONFLICTING RESOLUTION OR CONFLICTING [INAUDIBLE].
ON ONE HAND, IT STATES THAT THE SUCCESSOR MUST BE APPOINTED TO COMPLETE AN UNEXPIRED TERM, BUT ON THE NEXT PAGE IT SAYS THIS OPINION DOES NOT IMPACT THE OFFICERS WHO ARE DULY APPOINTED AT A COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW ATTORNEY, AND WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO ALREADY HAS BEEN APPOINTED IN 2022.
WITH THAT SAID, THE TWO PIECES THAT NEED TO BE CLARIFIED IS THE ADMINISTRATION HAS HAD THE MEMO FROM 2015.
WE HAVE MADE TWO APPOINTMENTS SO FAR AND NOW WE'RE ASKING FOR A THIRD THAT HAVE INTERPRETED THAT MEMO DIFFERENTLY.
WHY HAVE WE MADE TWO APPOINTMENTS THAT ARE INCORRECT WHEN THE MEMO HAS BEEN IN THE HANDS FOR 10 YEARS? THEN SECONDLY, LAST WEEK, WE ASKED FOR AN OPINION OF COUNCIL IN ALBANY.
INSTEAD OF GETTING OPINION FROM A LEGAL EXPERT, WE GOT A MEMO FROM TIM HOGUES, WHO CAME FROM ERIE COUNTY, REALLY NICE GUY,
[00:45:01]
BUT ALL HE NEEDED TO DO IS WALK 50 FEET DOWN THE HALL AND GET AN OPINION FROM COUNSEL.UNTIL WE HAVE THAT OPINION FROM COUNSEL, TELLING US WE'RE MOVING FORWARD IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION, I WOULD ENCOURAGE KEEPING THIS IN COMMITTEE.
>> THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR LORIGO.
>> I JUST WANT TO STATE MY REASON VOTING, YES ON THIS IS THAT THERE WAS A GOOD POINT THAT WAS MADE BY THE PERSONNEL DIRECTOR THAT BROUGHT US HERE AND GOOD POINT MADE LAST WEEK BY LORIGO TWO WEEKS AGO.
BUT THE ISSUE IS THAT THEIR FINAL THING IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN'T START ANY SIX YEAR TERM THAT THEY WANT TO.
THEIR CLAIM IS THAT WE STARTED AT LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO.
BUT THAT SAME REASON IS WE CAN START IT TODAY, AND I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF IT, AND HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB FOR OUR PERSONNEL, AND SO MY CLAIM IS A YES.
>> THANK YOU. THE VOTE IS 7-4.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO AMEND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL.ALL IN FAVOR?
>> MOVE TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS AMENDED.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM AS AMENDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY THE LEGISLATOR VINAL.
ALL IN FAVOR? ROLL CALL VOTE, PLEASE.
>> ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED, LEGISLATOR GREENE.
I ECHO EVERYTHING THAT LEGISLATOR GREENE SAYS AND JUST GIVEN THE LETTER FROM 2015 THAT WE'RE RELYING ON, GIVEN THE LETTER THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE STATE COMMISSIONER TIM HOGUES TODAY, I STILL HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS OF WHETHER THIS IS THE PROPER WAY TO HANDLE THIS.
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SERVICE OF COMMISSIONER BRAY, HE'S DONE A WONDERFUL JOB, BUT I THINK WE'VE DONE THIS IMPROPERLY FOR YEARS AND CONTINUING DOWN THIS PATH WITHOUT THE PROPER ADVICE FROM THE COUNSEL OF THE STATE, I THINK IT ONLY FURTHERS THE PROBLEM AND CAN ONLY CREATE MORE ISSUES FOR THE COMMISSIONER IN THE FUTURE.
FOR THAT REASON, MY VOTE IS NO.
>> THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR MILLS.
>> EXPLAIN A LITTLE. I ECHO WHAT LEGISLATOR GREENE HAS SAID CONCERNS ME.
BRIAN BRAY IS A GREAT YOUNG MAN WHO MAKE A GREAT COMMISSIONER PERSONNEL FORCE.
WHAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE IS ONE DAY SOMETHING HAPPEN TO THAT APPOINTMENT BECAUSE WE [INAUDIBLE] AND OUR FOREMAN TO APPROVE HIM.
>> THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR TODARO.
>> SUSPENSION OF THE RULES, MAJORITY LEADER.
[ SUSPENSION OF THE RULES:]
>> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> MOTION CARRIES. MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE FOR A CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.
>> SORRY. I THOUGHT YOU HAD SOMETHING. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THANK YOU. MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE FOR A CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY MAJORITY LEADER.
SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> MOTION CARRIES. COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS.
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]
COMMUNICATION 3E-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 3E-8 AS INDICATED.COMMUNICATION 3E-9, MAJORITY LEADER.
>> MOVE FOR A CONSIDERATION APPROVAL
>> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND [BACKGROUND] BY LEGISLATOR MILLS. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> THANK YOU. COMMUNICATION 3E-10 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 3E-24 AS INDICATED, COMMUNICATIONS FROM OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:]
COMMUNICATION 3D-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 3D-2 AS INDICATED.COMMUNICATIONS FROM PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES,
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:]
COMMUNICATION 3M-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 3M-5 AS INDICATED.[00:50:03]
ANNOUNCEMENTS. THE LEGISLATOR WILL CONDUCT COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON THURSDAY,[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]
FEBRUARY 13TH, THE SCHEDULE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.WE HAVE A BREAK WEEK, THE WEEK OF THE 17TH, WITH NO BUSINESS TAKING PLACE ON THE 20TH.
THE NEXT SCHEDULED SESSION TO THE LEGISLATURE IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, REMINDER THAT SINCE INTRO 3-3 PASSED TODAY, FORMAL SESSIONS WILL NOW BEGIN AT 11:30 INSTEAD OF 12:00 PM, AND THAT SESSIONS OF MARCH AND APRIL HAVE BEEN MOVED.
THE CLERK WILL NOTE THIS IN HER COMMUNICATIONS AS WELL.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS, LEGISLATOR DUPRE, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> FIRST, I WANT TO STAND UP AND SAY DUE TO THE WEATHER, BUT THE PRESIDENT OF THE COLORED MUSICIANS CLUB, DR. GEORGE SCOTT HAS STOPPED IN.
I WANT TO THANK YOU, SIR. APPRECIATE AND THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE HE WAS RECOGNIZED AND ALSO FOR EVERYONE HERE, WE DO HAVE LIGHT REFRESHMENTS IN THE BACK.
I WOULD LOVE IF YOU COULD ALL ENJOY AND HAVE SOME [INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANT TO INVITE ALL DISTRICT 2 RESIDENTS TO MY LISTENING SESSION TONIGHT AT GERARD PLACE AT 6:00 PM.
ALSO, I'M HAVING ANOTHER EVENT ON FEBRUARY 15TH, THE BLUEPRINT OF HOME OWNERSHIP.
WE HAVE 15 PARTNERS ACROSS ERIE COUNTY, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE AT DELAVAN-GRIDER COMMUNITY CENTER IS FEBRUARY 15TH FROM 10:00 AM-1:00. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. PLEASE RISE FOR MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS IF YOU ARE ABLE.
[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]
LEGISLATOR LORIGO, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.>> I'D LIKE TO CLOSE WITH MEMORY OF TOM BENDER.
HE WAS A 60 YEAR MEMBER AND PAST CHIEF OF THE EAST AURORA FIRE DEPARTMENT [INAUDIBLE]
>> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR GREENE.
>> THANK YOU, CHAIR MEYER. I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF DAN MINOCCHI.
DIVISION 1 ATHLETE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO FOOTBALL, WHO LOST A BATTLE WITH CANCER AT THE AGE OF 42.
>> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR VINAL?
>> ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I'D LIKE TO MOVE CLOSE IN MEMORY OF MY FATHER IN LAW WHO DIED SINCE OUR LAST SESSION IN SPIRIT THIS WEEK.
>> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR MILLS.
>> CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF MARY MARLETTE WIFE OF GUY MARLETTE, FORMER TOWN COUNCILMAN OF AMHERST, AND ALSO THOMAS SCHRATZ, HUSBAND OF SHELLY SCHRATZ, WHO WAS FORMER COUNCILMAN OF TOWN OF AMHERST.
>> MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO WENT ON TO BE WITH THE LORD.
THANK YOU. I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ADJOURNED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
SECOND BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> OPPOSED? STAND ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.