Feb 27, 2025 Legislative Session

[00:00:13]

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY. I'D LIKE TO CALL SESSION NUMBER FOUR TO ORDER THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE MEETING NUMBER FOUR.

CLERK, PLEASE TAKE THE ROLL. LEGISLATOR GREENE HERE.

[ ROLL CALL]

KOOSHOIAN, HERE. MEYERS HERE. SAINT JEAN TARD HERE AND VINAL HERE.

ALL MEMBERS PRESENT. THANK YOU OLIVIA. RIGHT NOW, WILL YOU PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION LED BY LEGISLATOR GREENE.

THANK YOU CHAIRMAN THANK YOU. PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE, WHICH WILL BE LED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

OKAY, BEFORE WE GET GOING ONTO OUR AGENDA, WE HAVE A GUEST HERE TODAY I'D LIKE TO BRING UP FROM THE PULASKI ASSOCIATION, WHO WAS KIND ENOUGH TO BRING US SOME PUNCH HERE TODAY.

SO AND IT HAPPENS TO BE HIS BIRTHDAY TOO, TODAY.

SO, JOE, COME ON UP AND SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS TO THE BODY.

[APPLAUSE] THANK YOU. WELL, TODAY IS FAT THURSDAY. TODAY IS THE DAY IN POLAND, NOT FAT TUESDAY.

TODAY IS THE DAY THAT POLISH PEOPLE GET THEIR LARDS OR SWEETS.

THEY GATHER THEM TOGETHER AND MAKE DELICACIES LIKE [INAUDIBLE].

SO THEN IF YOU HAVE LEFTOVERS, YOU COULD EAT THEM ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY IF YOU DID THIS ON TUESDAY, YOU'D HAVE TO THROW THEM AWAY. AND POLISH PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO BE WASTEFUL. SO SO TODAY WE ACTUALLY HAVE A GREAT EVENT AT SAINT STAN'S CELEBRATING FAT THURSDAY.

IT'S A FREE ADMISSION EVENT, A FOUR TIME GRAMMY NOMINATED POLKA BAND THAT'S GOING TO BE HERE. BUT WE BROUGHT THE PUNCH TODAY BECAUSE WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR US AND THE COMMUNITY. AND POLISH PEOPLE BELIEVE IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PUNCH, WHICH IS SINGULAR FOR PUNCH [INAUDIBLE], IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PUNCH ACT TODAY, YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK THE REST OF THE YEAR.

SO CONTINUE DOING GOOD WORK FOR US. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND HOPE TO SEE YOU AT OUR FUTURE EVENTS WE PLAN ON, WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP GOING INTO OTHER COMMUNITIES, NOT JUST THE TRADITIONAL POLISH COMMUNITIES.

BUT TONIGHT WE HAD THE EVENT AT SAINT STANISLAUS STARTS AT 5:00, ENDS AT 10:00 AND AGAIN, HOPE TO SEE YOU [APPLAUSE].

OKAY, CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA. TABLED ITEMS.

[ TABLED ITEMS: Rules of the Legislature for 2025]

LEGISLATIVE MAJORITY LEADER GILMOUR. MOVE TO TAKE THE RULES OFF THE TABLE.

SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION TO TAKE THE RULES OFF THE TABLE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

SECOND, BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. OKAY. MOTION CARRIES. THERE'S A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY AND A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL.

MOVE TO APPROVE THE RULES. MOVE TO APPROVE THE RULES BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

GILMOUR, SECOND BY SECOND LEGISLATOR GREENE. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. OKAY. CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY THE RULES OF THE LEGISLATURE ARE APPROVED.

CONTINUING ON. ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION. THERE ARE NONE.

MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING, MAJORITY LEADER.

[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Meeting No. 3]

SECOND, BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THE MINUTES ARE APPROVED. PUBLIC HEARINGS. THERE ARE NONE.

MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE ONE AND CONTINUING ON TO PAGE THREE.

[ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:]

SECOND, BY LEGISLATIVE VINAL ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. OKAY. MOTION IS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

A MOTION TO AMEND. MOVE TO AMEND TO INCLUDE [INAUDIBLE] SPONSORSHIP.

SECOND. THERE'S A MOTION TO AMEND TO INCLUDE AT ALL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL.

[00:05:03]

MOVE TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED. SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

SECOND, BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

OPPOSED. 11 TO 0. OKAY. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU. CONTINUE ON WITH OUR AGENDA LOCAL LAWS.

[ LOCAL LAWS:]

LOCAL LAW 3-2 WILL BE SENT TO FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE UNDER MY AUTHORITY AS CHAIR.

[ COMMITTEE REPORTS:]

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. SECOND. CHAIRMAN, I'D LIKE TO SEPARATE ITEM TWO.

OKAY. WE HAVE A REQUEST TO SEPARATE ITEM NUMBER TWO SO WE'RE GOING TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT.

MOVE TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT BY LEGISLATOR BARGNESI, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. OKAY. AND NOW WHICH WHICH ITEM WAS IT? ITEM TWO. OKAY, SO NOW WE'LL VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER TWO.

YEAH. I'D LIKE TO SEND THAT TO TABLE AND SEND IT BACK TO COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION BASED ON THE COMMUNICATION THAT WE SENT THIS WEEK.

I'M IN MOTION TO APPROVE THE WHOLE THING [INAUDIBLE] . I MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE EVERYTHING.

THE WHOLE REPORT THAT WAS ON THE TABLE FIRST.

NO. HE MOVED. I MOVED THE WHOLE THING. HE MOVED TO APPROVE THE REPORT.

HE TRIED TO SEPARATE IT. MINE WAS ON THE FLOOR FIRST.

MIC] THERE IS NO MOTION TO SEPARATE. ANY MEMBER CAN SEPARATE AN ITEM EVEN AFTER EVEN AFTER A MOTION TO APPROVE, IT CAN BE SEPARATED OUT.

IT DOES NOT HAVE, THE SEPARATION DOES NOT HAVE TO BE VOTED ON.

MIC] MIC]

[00:10:44]

LEGISLATOR GREENE. HERE. YEAH. HERE [INAUDIBLE] MILLS. TODARO HERE. BARGNESI HERE.

DUPRE, HERE. GILMOUR HERE. KOOSHOIAN, HERE. MEYERS, HERE.

SAINT JEAN TARD, HERE. VINAL. ALL MEMBERS PRESENT.

OKAY, GETTING BACK TO THE LAST ITEM THAT WE HAD WITH THE COMMITTEE REPORT I SHOULD HAVE RECOGNIZED I RECOGNIZE LEGISLATOR BARGNESI TO APPROVE THE REPORT, AND I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE VOTE BEFORE I RECOGNIZED LEGISLATOR GREENE.

BUT WE WILL TABLE ITEM NUMBER TWO AND APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT.

OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? OKAY. MOTION CARRIES. ON TABLING ITEM NUMBER TWO FROM THE REPORT.

ROLL CALL VOTE. DID YOU MAKE THE MOTION? LEGISLATOR GREENE AND WHO WAS THE SECOND? THANK YOU.

CALL] 5 TO 6. A MOTION [INAUDIBLE] TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER TWO OF THE REPORT.

ROLL CALL VOTE. ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER TWO.

LEGISLATOR GREENE. EXPLAIN MY VOTE. I UNDERSTAND I WAS ABSENT LAST WEEK.

WE HAD A DISCUSSION ON THIS, BUT THERE WERE SEVERAL ITEMS BROUGHT UP, PARTICULARLY REGARDING THE CURRENT AUDIT CONDUCTED BY THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE OF THIS DEPARTMENT AND SOME INADEQUACIES. WE HAVE ASKED FOR THERE TO BE A DISCUSSION TO FURTHER, YOU KNOW, DISCUSS THE ITEMS IN QUESTION PRIOR TO THE APPROVAL OF THIS INDIVIDUAL, WHICH IS STILL SEVEN MONTHS OUT FOR THAT REASON.

I'M A NO. THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR LORIGO. EXPLAIN MY VOTE FOR THE SAME REASON THAT LEGISLATOR GREENE SAID, I BELIEVE THAT WE STILL HAVE TIME TO DISCUSS THE AUDIT THAT THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE CITED, STATING THAT THERE ARE ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN IN THIS OFFICE BEFORE WE REAPPOINT THE COMMISSIONER. SO FOR THAT REASON, I VOTE NO.

THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR MILLS. EXPLAIN MY VOTE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO DO WITH REAL PROPERLY IS RESPOND TO WHETHER IT BE THE CONSTITUENTS, THE LEGISLATORS OR OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS. AND I THINK THAT THAT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN WE APPOINT THEM TO THIS POSITION.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING. AND THAT CONCERNS ME, BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT TO BE MORE USER FRIENDLY TO THE TAXPAYERS OF ERIE COUNTY.

SO I WOULD VOTE NO ON THIS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

LEGISLATOR TODARO. LET ME EXPLAIN MY VOTE. I ALSO FEEL IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE TO DO THE SAME, TO VOTE FOR SOMEBODY IN OFFICE OR TO BE APPOINTED, YET TO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE REPORT AND DISSECT IT.

AND THERE'S STILL TIME. A TIMELINE WHERE THE APPOINTMENT CAN STILL BE MADE, PLENTY OF TIME.

SO WITH THAT, I'M A NO. THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR BARGNESI, YEAH.

DUPRE MEYERS, YES. SAINT JEAN TARD, YES. AND VINAL 7 TO 4. OKAY. MOTION CARRIES. REPORT NUMBER TWO FROM THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE,

[00:15:05]

SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION BY LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD.

SECOND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. MOTION IS CARRIED, THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

REPORT NUMBER TWO FROM THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, LEGISLATIVE KOOSHOIAN.

A SECOND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED.

REPORT NUMBER TWO FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE LEGISLATOR DUPRE.

SECOND, BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED. 11 TO 0. REPORT IS APPROVED. REPORT NUMBER ONE FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

SECOND BY LEGISLATOR MILLS. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE REPORT IS APPROVED. MOVING ON TO LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS.

[ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:]

MAJORITY LEADER YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. SECOND BY LEGISLATOR LORIGO ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. MOTION CARRIES.

RESOLUTION IS APPROVED. INTRO 4-2 FROM LEGISLATOR MILLS REAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC BENEFIT MONEY.

MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. SECOND. OKAY.

WE HAVE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

SECOND, BY THE MINORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. MOTION CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.

INTRO 4-3 FROM THE MINORITY CAUCUS SUPPORTING RENEWAL OF NEW YORK STATE BROWNFIELD CLEANUP PROGRAM TAX CREDITS.

SECOND, BY THE MINORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. OKAY. THE RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED AND CARRIES.

COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGE FROM COMMITTEE. THERE ARE NONE.

NUMBER 12, SUSPENSION OF THE RULES, MAJORITY LEADER.

[ SUSPENSION OF THE RULES:]

MADAM CLERK. COMMUNICATION 4D -6. MAJORITY LEADER.

MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND. OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER MULTIPLE SECONDS ON THE QUESTION.

ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. MOTION CARRIES.

THE ITEM IS APPROVED. NEXT SUSPENSION, MAJORITY LEADER.

THE SECOND SUSPENSION IS FOR ME. IT'S A REAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC BENEFIT [INAUDIBLE].

OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION BY INTRO 4-4. MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.

SECOND BY LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE ITEM IS APPROVED. MAJORITY LEADER.

THE THIRD AND FINAL SUSPENSION IS FROM LEGISLATOR VINAL.

IT'S A REAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC BENEFIT FUNDING.

MADAM CLERK. INTRO 4-5 . MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND. WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. SECOND BY LEGISLATOR SAINT JEAN TARD. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. THE MOTION CARRIES. COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]

COMMUNICATION 4 E-18. MAJORITY LEADER. MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.

SECOND. OKAY. THERE'S A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR VINAL.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OPPOSED? 11 TO 0. OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES.

THE ITEM IS APPROVED. COMMUNICATION 4E-19 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 4E-20 AS INDICATED.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM DEPARTMENTS. COMMUNICATION 4D-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 4D-5 AS INDICATED.

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:]

[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:]

[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]

[00:20:04]

[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]

HEAVEN HAS GAINED A YOUNG ANGEL AT THE YOUNG AGE OF NINE YEARS.

SHE ENJOYED CHEERLEADING. SHE LOVED ALL OF THEM AND HER FAMILY.

I ALSO MOVE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE, WHO PASSED AWAY SUDDENLY AT 45 YEARS OLD.

MY FIRST FRIEND WHEN I MOVED TO LANCASTER FROM DEPEW.

DARWIN OVERHOLT. HE LEAVES BEHIND A SON AND DAUGHTER AND A FIANCE.

HE HAD A VERY HEALTHY CAREER WITH THE WESTERN FAMILY AUTO GROUP, AS WELL AS THE BASIL FAMILY AUTO GROUP, AND I ALSO MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEMORY OF MICHAEL LONZAC, 64 YEARS OLD.

HE WAS A LIFELONG MEMBER OF THE HIGHVIEW FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ALSO AN AVID OUTDOORSMAN.

THANK YOU. SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR VINAL.

I'D LIKE TO MOVE TO CLOSE IN MEMORY OF JAMES KILLEEN, WHO DIED THIS WEEK, WHO'S IN HIS 50S.

FATHER OF FOUR IN AMHERST. AND JUST A GREAT PERSON I'VE KNOWN SINCE HIGH SCHOOL.

HE WAS A WONDERFUL FAMILY MAN AND FATHER AND JUST BECAME A GRANDFATHER DIED OF A FIGHT WITH CANCER.

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. LEGISLATOR LORIGO. THANK YOU.

I'D LIKE TO CLOSE IN MEMORY OF EVELYN JOLENE HAWKINS.

SHE WAS A STAPLE IN THE SPRINGVILLE COMMUNITY. AND, CATHERINE [INAUDIBLE], WE'RE SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.

LEGISLATOR MILLS. YES. I MOVE TO ADJOURN THE MEMORY OF RICHARD [INAUDIBLE].

SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO WENT ON TO BE WITH THE LORD.

THANK YOU. WITH THAT I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION TO ADJOURN BY LEGISLATOR GILMOUR.

SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR TODARO. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? WE STAND ADJOURNED. THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.