>> MORNING, EVERYBODY. I'D LIKE TO CALL MEETING NUMBER 23 OF [00:00:02] THE ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO ORDER ON DECEMBER 4TH, 2025. CLERK, PLEASE TAKE THE ROLL. >> LEGISLATOR GREENE? >> YES. >> LORIGO? >> YES. >> MILLS? >> YES. >> TODARO? >> YES. >> BARGNESI? >> YES. >> DUPRE? >> PRESENT. >> GILMOUR. >> YES. >> KOOSHOIAN? >> YES. >> MEYERS? >> HERE. >> ST. JEAN TARD? >> HERE. >> VINAL? >> HERE. >> ALL MEMBERS PRESENT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. [ INVOCATION: Mr. Mills] PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION THAT WILL BE LED TODAY BY THE MINORITY LEADER. ALL OF YOU, PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR [ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Ms. St. Jean Tard] THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD. >> >> THANK YOU. I WILL NOW OPEN UP THE FLOOR FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE FIRST SESSION OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT. WE ASK THE SPEAKERS PLEASE KEEP THEIR COMMENTS RELATED TO ANY MATTER INVOLVING THE COUNTY RELATIVE TODAY'S SESSION AGENDA, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND. ALL SPEAKERS ARE ASKED TO LIMIT THEIR REMARKS TO THREE MINUTES. CLERK WILL RING THE BELL WITH 30 SECONDS LEFT. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE START THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? WITH THAT, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME? SECOND CHANCE, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS AT THIS TIME WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? THANK YOU. CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA. TABLED ITEMS. [ TABLED ITEMS: Report No. 1 - Finance & Management/Budget Committee, 2026 Budget & Amendment Package] TABLED ITEMS, REPORT OF THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MAJORITY LEADER. >> I MOVE TO TAKE THE REPORT FROM THE TABLE. THE REPORT INCLUDES THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES' PENNY 2026, ERIE COUNTY BUDGET AS AMENDED. >> SECOND. >> SEEING WE HAVE A MOTION TO TAKE FROM THE TABLE, ERIE COUNTY TENTATIVE BUDGET BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. WE HAVE A SECOND BY THE LEGISLATOR VINAL. ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. >> 11-0 >> THE MOTION CARRIES. MAJORITY LEADER. >> I MOVE TO SEPARATE THE PROPOSED AMENDED BUDGET ITEM NUMBER 2A COMMUNICATION 19 E-1 2025 AS AMENDED AND APPROVE THE BALANCE OF THE REPORT. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SEPARATE ITEM NUMBER 2 FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER'S, SECONDED BY LEGISLATIVE VINAL. ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE >> OPPOSED? >> 11-0. >> THE MOTION CARRIES. MAJORITY LEADER. >> I MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM NUMBER 2-A COMMUNICATION 19 E-1, 2025, WAS AMENDED. THIS IS THE AMENDED ERIE COUNTY BUDGET FOR THE YEAR 2026. >> SECOND. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> FIRST, WE HAVE A MOTION AND THE PROPER MOTION FOR MAJORITY LEADER, SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL ON THE QUESTION. ROLL CALL ON. >> ON THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE BUDGET, LEGISLATOR GREENE. >> NO. >> LORIGO? >> I'LL EXPLAIN MY VOTE. WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS THIS WEEK. WE HAD AN AMENDMENT PACKAGE IN FRONT OF US THAT WOULD HAVE MADE SERIOUS AND RESPONSIBLE CUTS AND WOULD HAVE PROVIDED TAX RELIEF TO RESIDENTS. KNOWING THE FISCAL FUTURE THAT WE HAVE AHEAD OF US, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS BUDGET GOES FAR ENOUGH TO SET THE FUTURE OF ERIE COUNTY UP FOR SUCCESS. FOR THAT REASON, I VOTED NO. >> THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR MILLS? LEGISLATOR TODARO? >> NO. >> BARGNESI? >> NO. >> DUPRE? >> YES. >> GILMOUR? >> YES. >> KOOSHOIAN? >> YES. >> MEYERS? >> YES. >> ST. JEAN TARD? >> I'LL EXPLAIN MY VOTE. THIS BUDGET THAT'S IN FRONT OF US, I SAY IT'S CONSERVATIVE. MANY OF YOU KNOW I'VE WORKED IN GOVERNMENT FOR ABOUT 13 YEARS BEFORE COMING TO THE LEG. I'M NOT A STRANGER TO A BUDGET FOR SURE. THIS BUDGET, WE MADE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS. ONE OF THEM WAS REMOVING THE $20 MILLION STUDY. THAT'S GOING TO PREVENT OUR TAXPAYERS FROM PAYING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEBT SERVICE. WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS BUDGET, I SEE THAT THERE ARE SOME VICTORIES HERE THAT WE SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT, LIKE HOW WE'RE HELPING JERICHO ROAD DURING A HEALTH CARE CRISIS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY IN. HOW WE'RE MAKING SURE OUR CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS ARE GETTING FUNDED TO TAKE CARE OF OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS AND OUR SENIOR PROGRAMMING. THIS BUDGET IS A YES FOR ME. I KNOW THAT 27 IS GOING TO BE A TOUGH YEAR. HOWEVER, WE'VE MADE A CONSERVATIVE BUDGET, AND I THINK THESE AMENDMENTS REFLECT WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO FUND CERTAIN PROGRAMS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. LEGISLATOR VINAL. >> I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE. I'M VOTING, YES. I CONCUR WITH THE LEGISLATIVE ST. JEAN TARD THAT THE DECISION TO REMOVE [00:05:02] THE $20 MILLION FROM THE DESIGN OF THE JAIL NOT ONLY SAVES US THAT $20 MILLION BONDING, BUT ALSO SAVES US THAT INTEREST AND ALSO DELAYED CIRCUMVENTS A $500 MILLION JAIL WHEN BOTH FACILITIES ARE ONLY HALF FULL. THAT IS A HUGE SAVINGS THAT HAS BEEN VOTED AGAINST BY THE MINORITY, WHICH IS AN IRRESPONSIBLE THING NOT TO SUPPORT THAT. THE OTHER ASPECT OF IT, I WOULD SAY, IS THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN THE BUDGET. OUR TAX RATE FROM 2025 WAS THE LOWEST SINCE 1,800, SOME RECORDED TIME. WE DIDN'T RAISE THAT. WE DIDN'T VIOLATE THE TAX CAP. WE KEPT THE TAX RATE LOW. THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO WORK ON THIS YEAR, INCLUDING THE FLEET VEHICLES. WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING ON THAT, AND I'M EXCITED TO WORK ON THAT, BUT WE DID I HAVE AN EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE BUDGET. I AGAIN SAY THAT I THINK THE SALES TAX WAS UNDER ESTIMATED AS TO WHAT THE SALES TAX WOULD BE, WITH THE AMOUNT OF INFLATION THAT'S GOING ON. I'M HOPING IT MAY BE A BUDGET THAT SOME OF THE CULTURALS THAT DIDN'T GET FUNDING THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF CUTS, MAY BE WE MAY BE ABLE TO DO MORE, BUT I'M IN FAVOR OF THE BUDGET AND THE VOTING, YES. >> THANK YOU. THE VOTE IS 7-4. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. THE MOTION CARRIES. ITEM NUMBER 28, COMMUNICATION 19 E-1 2025, AS AMENDED, AND THE 2026 ERIE COUNTY BUDGET IS APPROVED AS AMENDED. ITEMS FOR RECONSIDERATION. THERE ARE NONE. ITEMS FOR MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING, MAJORITY LEADER. [ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Meeting No. 21 & Meeting No. 22] >> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM MEETING NUMBER 21. >> SECOND. >>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER AND SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR MEETING NUMBER 21. ON THE QUESTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. >> 11-0. >> CARRY UNANIMOUSLY. THE MINUTES FOR MEETING 21 ARE NOW APPROVED. MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR MEETING NUMBER 22. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SIGNED BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD. ON THE QUESTION, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. >> 11-0. >> THE MINUTES FROM MEETING NUMBER 22 ARE APPROVED. PUBLIC HEARINGS. THERE ARE NONE. MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON [ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:] PAGE 1 AND CONTINUED ON PAGE 3, MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE TO CONSIDER. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO CONSIDER BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ON THE QUESTION, ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? >> 11-0. >> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE'S. MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE TO AMEND TO INCLUDE ALCOHOL SPONSORSHIP. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY THE MAJORITY LEADER TO INCLUDE ALL. WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ON THE QUESTION, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. >> 11-0. >> CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE APPROVED AS AMENDED. LOCAL LAWS AS INDICATED. COMMITTEE REPORTS. [ LOCAL LAWS:] THERE ARE NONE. LEGISLATOR [INAUDIBLE] I'M SORRY. >> WE JUST AMENDED THAT YOU HAVE TO SCHEDULE THE VOTE. >> MOVE TO APPROVE AS AMENDED. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR DUPRE. THE QUESTION, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? >> 11-0. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. [ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:] WE'RE MOVING ON TO LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTIONS. AM I CORRECT? >> YES. >> INTRO 23-1 FROM LEGISLATOR TODARO, MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR TODARO ON. THE QUESTION, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED. >> 11-0. >> THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED. INTRO 23-2 FROM THE LEGISLATOR, THE MINORITY LEADER, AND THE LEGISLATOR THE MAJORITY LEADER. MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR VINAL. ON THE QUESTION, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? >> 11-0. >> THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED. COMMUNICATION WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE COMMITTEE. THERE IS NO SUSPENSION OF THE RULES. MAJORITY LEADER. [ SUSPENSION OF THE RULES:] >> I HAVE ONE SUSPENSION OF A FROM LEGISLATOR GREENE. >> MADAM CLERK? >> INTRO 23-3. >> MAJORITY LEADER. >> MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR GREENE. ON THE QUESTION, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? >> 11-0. >> THE ITEM IS APPROVED. [ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:] COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS TO COMMUNICATION 23 E-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 23 E-18 AS INDICATED. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT. COMMUNICATION 23 E-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 23-2 AS INDICATED. COMMUNICATIONS FROM PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES. [ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:] COMMUNICATIONS 23 M-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 23 M-2 AS INDICATED. [ PUBLIC COMMENT:] I WILL NOW OPEN THE FLOOR FOR THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. [00:10:05] KEEP IN MIND THAT SPEAKERS KEEP THEIR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES. THE CLERK WILL RING THE BELL WITH 30 SECONDS LEFT. OUR FIRST SPEAKER, TODD HARRIS. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, SIR. COME ON. >> GOOD, AFTERNOON, AND THANK YOU FOR REFERRING ME TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK BEFORE THE BODY TODAY. JONATHAN EPSTEIN OF THE BUFFALO NEWS RECENTLY REPORTED THAT THE NIAGARA FRONTIER TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY HAD TERMINATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH SAMUEL SAVARINO, WHO DEVELOPED THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE DL&W TERMINAL AT THE FOOT OF MAIN STREET INTO A RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE. AS YOU'RE LIKELY AWARE, THE TERMINAL'S DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN BESET WITH CHALLENGES FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, INCLUDING A LACK OF INTEREST FROM OTHER DEVELOPERS WHEN A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED BACK IN 2019. IN ADDITION, THE COLLAPSE OF ITS SHORELINE WITH THE BUFFALO RIVER IN 2023 DELAYED ITS OPENING AND INCREASED COSTS. NOW IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE AGENCY HAS HASTILY SEVERED TIES, MR. SAVARINO, DESPITE HIS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THIS PROJECT. AS THE NIAGARA FRONTIER TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE IN EXCESS OF $31 MILLION FROM THE COUNTY TAXPAYERS IN THE APPROVED BUDGET, I RESPECTFULLY CALL ON THE CHAIR OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO MEYERS TO ASK THAT A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NFTA APPEAR BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE TO UPDATE IT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE DL&W TERMINAL. SOME QUESTIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE INCLUDED. NUMBER 1, WILL THE OPENING OF THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE TERMINAL BE FURTHER DELAYED AS THE NFTA SEEKS A NEW DEVELOPER TO REPLACE MR. SAVARINO? HOW SOON DOES THE AGENCY EXPECT TO NAME HIS REPLACEMENT? NUMBER 2, WILL THE OPENING OF THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE TERMINAL BE FURTHER DELAYED, AS THERE'S NO MORE FUNDING IN PLACE FOR HVAC, ELECTRIC, AND PLUMBING FOR THE SECOND FLOOR, AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL SHORELINE REPAIR? NUMBER 3, WILL THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE TERMINAL INCLUDE MR. SAVARINO'S COLLABORATION WITH THE PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES AND BUFFALO ELECTRIC LANDS, ANCHORING 15,000 SQUARE FEET? OR WILL THE NEW DEVELOPER HAVE A COMPLETELY CLEAN SLATE, THUS FURTHER DELAYING THIS OPENING? THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS LONG-NEGLECTED TRAIN TERMINAL INTO A RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE CAN BE TRANSFORMATIVE, NOT ONLY TO DOWNTOWN BUT TO THE COUNTY AS WELL. THEREFORE, IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT OUR ELECTED LEADERS AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT ENSURE THAT THE NIAGARA FRONTIER TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY GETS THIS PROJECT OVER THE FINISH LINE WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY. I HOPE, MR. CHAIRMAN, YOU PERSONALLY SEE TO IT, AS THERE'S NO ONE BETTER TO ASK THAN YOU, AN EMPLOYEE OF THE FTA FOR OVER 40 YEARS. THANK YOU, SIR, AND YOUR FELLOW LEGISLATORS, FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. >> THANK YOU, TODD. OUR NEXT SPEAKER SIGNED UP IS JAMIE O'DELL. GOOD MORNING, SIR. >> GOOD, MORNING. HI. MY NAME IS JAMIE O'DELL. I'M A CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE FROM ROCHESTER, NEW YORK. I NEED TO PROVIDE PUBLIC NOTICE TO THE COMMISSION. THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE US CS RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURES, AS WELL AS RULE 17, RULE 20 OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT. THE CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS THE OVERARCHING REQUIREMENT THAT EVERY STATE MUST FOLLOW. I DON'T THINK ANYONE WILL DENY THAT. STATES CANNOT ENACT THEIR OWN ALTERNATIVE LEGISLATION AND SUBSTITUTE FOR THE GUARANTEES OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. THAT WOULD MEAN THE STATE LAWS ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE CONSTITUTION. CLAUSE 1 ON AMENDMENT 5, THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION SAYS, NO PERSON SHALL BE HELD TO ANSWER FOR CAPITAL OR OTHERWISE INFAMOUS CRIME UNLESS A PRESENTMENT OR INDICTMENT BY A GRAND JURY. HOWEVER, THE STATE OF IOWA HAS ENACTED ITS OWN ALTERNATIVE LEGISLATION THAT PERMITS THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, POLICE OFFICER, OR SHERIFF TO CHARGE BY WAY OF INFORMATION, NOT BY INDICTMENT AS REQUIRED BY LAW. THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. NOW, A MONUMENT VIOLATION IS WHEN YOU PAY A PUBLIC OFFICIAL TO BREAK THE LAW. THE CONSTITUTION HAS TWO AREAS THAT ENFORCE THIS. THE ARTICLE IS ARTICLE 1, SECTION 10, OR IT SAYS, NO STATE SHALL CREATE ANY LAW THAT SHALL IMPAIR THE OBLIGATION OF CONTRACT. POLICE OFFICERS, PROSECUTORS, AND JUDGES ARE ALL UNDER A CONTRACT. A CONTRACT TO FORM THAT IS BASED UPON THE OATH OR INFORMATION THAT THEY TOOK. THE CONTRACT PARAMETERS ARE DEFINED WITHIN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. [00:15:02] WHEN THE STATE ENACTS A LAW THAT DIRECTS ITS AGENTS TO DISOBEY THE LAW, THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THAT WOULD BE A VIOLATION OF ARTICLE 1, SECTION 10. THE 14TH AMENDMENT IS ANOTHER PLACE THAT YOU WILL FIND AND REINFORCEMENT OF THIS ISSUE, AND THIS IS WHERE IT SAYS THAT NO STATE SHALL CREATE OR ENFORCE ANY LAW THAT SHALL ABRIDGE THE PRIVILEGES OR IMMUNITIES OF THE UNITED STATES CITIZENS. THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES OF THE UNITED STATES CITIZENS ARE AT A MINIMUM. THOSE ENUMERATED WITHIN THE BILLING RIGHTS, THE FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS, THEY CANNOT BE IMPAIRED. THUS, THE STATE OF IOWA HAS ENACTED A LAW IN ITS INFERIOR CONSTITUTION THAT IS PERMITTING PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO ARE PAID TO VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. AS A RESULT, THERE IS NO INORDINATE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE CURRENTLY IMPRISONED IN THE STATE OF IOWA LEGALLY AND UNCONSTITUTIONALLY. TANAWAH DOWNING IS PREPARING AND LITIGATING THIS ISSUE AND THAT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ON BEHALF OF MORE THAN 700,000 PEOPLE CURRENTLY IMPRISONED HERE. IN AMERICA, UNCONSTITUTIONALLY, I'M HERE TODAY TO NOTIFY YOU THAT IF YOU CONTINUE TO PAY PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO BREAK THE LAW, THERE COULD BE CRIMINAL SANCTIONS THAT COULD COME FROM THAT. WE DON'T WANT TO GO DOWN THAT PATH BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT WILL BE VERY MESSY, BUT YOU OFFICIALS MUST BE MADE AWARE THAT PAYING PEOPLE TO DISOBEY THE LAW IS AN EMOLUMENT VIOLATION, IS ILLEGAL, IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND IT IS A CRIME. I'M ASKING YOU, HONORABLE INDIVIDUALS, TO PLEASE LOOK AT CLAUSE 1 IN AMENDMENT 5 CONFIRM WHAT I'M SAYING TO BE TRUE. THEN DIRECT OR PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO ACT IN A LAWFUL CONSTITUTIONAL MANNER CONSISTENT WITH THE OBLIGATIONS THAT ARE CODIFIED IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. I HAVE NOTICED THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PUT ON THE RECORD. >> SORRY, YOU ARE OVER THE THREE MINUTES. >> EXCUSE ME [OVERLAPPING] >> YOU'RE OVER THREE MINUTES. >> I'M SORRY. >> LEAVE IT UP HERE. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK. >> THANK YOU, SIR. OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TANAWAH DOWNING. MORNING, SIR. >> MORNING. MY NAME IS TANAWAH DOWNING. I'M A STILL BRIGHTS ADVOCATE LITIGATOR OUT OF WASHINGTON THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. I WANT TO PROVIDE CLARIFICATION. THE STATE OF NEW YORK HAS ACTED IN ITS OWN ALTERNATIVE LEGISLATION THAT PERMITS PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS TO CHARGE BY INFORMATION AS OPPOSED TO INDICTMENT. I KNOW THAT THE STATEMENT SAID I WAS ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT THE STATE OF NEW YORK HERE. I WANT TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF CLARIFICATION SO WE UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE SAID AND WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY ASKING FROM ALL OF THE US LEGISLATIVE BODY HERE, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 52,000 CRIMINAL AFFIDAVITS ON BEHALF OF VICTIMS WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED BY WAY OF INFORMATION AS OPPOSED TO INDICTMENT FROM RIGHT HERE WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. MANY ARE FROM WITHIN ERIE COUNTY. THESE AFFIDAVITS IDENTIFY TWO CRIMES, IN PARTICULAR, THE FIRST CRIME IS TITLE 18 USC SUBSECTION 242, WHICH IS DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS UNDER COLOR OF LAW. WHAT THAT STATUTE SAYS IS THAT ANY PERSON WHO, UNDER THE COLOR OF ANY STATE STATUTE, ORIGINS, CUSTOM, OR REGULATION, DEPRIVES ANY PERSON OF THE RIGHT SECURED BY THE CONSTITUTION COMMITS THAT CRIME. NOW, THE SECOND CRIME IS TITLE 18 USC SUBSECTION 241, WHICH IS CONSPIRACY TO DEPRIVE RIGHTS. WHAT THAT STATES IS THAT WHEN TWO OR MORE PERSONS CONSPIRE WITH THE PURPOSE OF DEPRIVING ANY PERSON OF ANY RIGHT SECURED BY THE CONSTITUTION COMMIT THAT CRIME. NOW, THE LAW IS A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY WITH REGARD TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS. THAT'S ALL OF YOU. WHAT THAT STATES IS THAT ANY PERSON WHO HAVING KNOWLEDGE OF ANY OF THE WRONGS, CONSPIRED TO BE DONE, AND WHO HAS THE POWER TO PREVENT OR AID IN THE PREVENTION OF COMMISSIONER SAN, NEGLECTS OR REFUSES TO DO SO, MAY BE JOINED TO DEFENSE THE ACTION. UPON HAVING YOU TRY THIS NOTICE, LETTING YOU KNOW THAT YOU GUYS WHO PAIN PUBLIC OFFICIALS, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT GO OUT AND EXECUTE UNCONSTITUTIONAL WARRANTS, BASED UPON THE INCORRECT CHARGING INSTRUMENT, I'D ASK YOU GUYS, PLEASE LET'S WORK TO GET THIS WRONG. NOT HERE TO GET ANYBODY IN TROUBLE. THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. I'M HERE TO RAISE AWARENESS ON THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET ADDRESSED BECAUSE I'M PREPARING TO ARGUE THIS IN FRONT OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ON BEHALF OF THESE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN UNCONSTITUTIONALLY CHARGED IN VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION UNITED STATES. I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE RAISE AWARENESS ON THIS ISSUE SO THAT ALL OF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN YOU PAY PEOPLE TO VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION, EVEN UNDER AN INFERIOR STATE STATUTE, THAT IS A CRIME, AND I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO GET IN TROUBLE. I DON'T WANT YOU GUYS TO GET IN TROUBLE. I REALLY DON'T. I KNOW THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO YOUR ATTORNEY AND YOU'RE GOING TO ASK THE ATTORNEY WE'RE DONE, WHETHER OR NOT WHAT I'M SAYING IS TRUE, AND THAT ATTORNEY IS GOING TO POINT TO A CASE FROM 1884, CORPORATE CHARTER VS CALIFORNIA. BEFORE YOU CHOOSE TO RELY UPON THAT IS THE FOUNDATION, I MUST REMIND YOU THAT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS THE FOUNDATION, NOT A JUDGE RULING. THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS NO CONSTITUTED AUTHORITY TO ALTER AND DESTROY NEW PROVISIONS OF THE GUARANTEES CONSTITUTION, BECAUSE THAT MUST BE DONE BY AN AUTHENTIC AND EXPLICIT ACT OF THE PEOPLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIAL PROCEDURE OF ARTICLE 5. FURTHERMORE, THE JUDGE CANNOT LEGISLATE, YOU KNOW THAT CLAUSE 1 ARTICLE 1 SAYS, ALLEGING POWERS BEST IN CARS, THE UNITED STATES. I PRAY YOU GUYS WILL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. I KNOW IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION BECAUSE AS SOON AS YOU'RE DONE, [00:20:02] YOU'RE GOING TO DECIDE WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO FOLLOW JUDGE MAKING RULING, THE LOWEST CORE IN THE LAW OR THE CONSTITUTION UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE OBJECT WHICH YOUR FIDEL BOUND. I'M AFRAID YOU GUYS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION. I KNOW MY TIME IS UP. THANK YOU, GUYS, SO MUCH. GOD BLESSED YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS JESSICA SAXTON. GOOD MORNING. >> MORNING. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MY NAME IS JESSICA SAXTON. I'M ALSO A CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE AND LITIGATOR FROM WASHINGTON, DC. AS MR. DOWNING WAS JUST SAYING, THE SUPREME COURT UNDER THE CONSTITUTION IS THE FREE LAW OF THE LAND. THERE'S NO STATE, NO COUNTY THAT'S ABLE TO ENFORCE OR ENACT A LAW THAT IS OUTSIDE OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE CONSTITUTION. ACROSS THIS, CHILDREN ARE BEING REMOVED FROM FIT, LOVING HEALTH CARE, NOT BECAUSE OF ABUSE, NOT FOR DANGER, BUT STRICTLY FOR PROFIT. UNDER TITLE 4D, TITLE 4B, AND TITLE 4E FUNDING, WE KNOW THAT THE STATE AND THUS THE COUNTY RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR ANY CHILD THAT IS REMOVED, REGARDLESS OF IF THAT IS AN UNLAWFUL REMOVAL. THIS MEANS THAT THE SYSTEM IS LITERALLY PROFITING WHILE FAMILIES ARE BEING DESTROYED. IT IS TRUE THAT A PORTION OF THIS COUNTY'S BUDGET CONTRIBUTES TO THE OPERATION OF THE VERY COURTS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE UNLAWFUL REMOVAL OF CHILDREN. WHEN THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, INCLUDING JUDGES, ATTORNEYS, CLERK COURT, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OTHER COUNTY-FUNDED AGENCIES, KNOWINGLY OR NEGLIGENTLY DEPRIVE CITIZENS OF THEIR RIGHTS THAT ARE SECURED AND PROTECTED BY THE CONSTITUTION. THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, IS A FEDERAL CRIME. IT'S A FEDERAL CRIME UNDER 18 USC SUBSECTION 242. THAT BECOMES A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY UNDER 18 USC SUBSECTION 241 WHEN TWO OR MORE ACTORS CONSPIRE AGAINST THE RIGHTS AND DEPRIVE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY OF RIGHTS THAT SECURED AND TAKEN BY THE CONSTITUTION. UNDER TITLE 18, SUBSECTION 44. YOU ARE REPORTED AND YOU ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT WHEN YOU'VE BEEN MADE AWARE OF CRIMES THAT HAVE BEEN COMMITTED IN YOUR COUNTY. IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, I WILL BE SERVING AFFIDAVITS OF CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AGAINST JUDGES IN THIS COUNTY WHO ARE UNLAWFULLY HONORING CHILDREN FROM FAMILIES, FROM MOTHERS, FROM FATHERS THAT ARE FIT TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN; THEY'RE PUTTING THE CHILDREN INTO FOSTER CARE. THEY'RE PUTTING THESE CHILDREN INTO THE SYSTEM FOR NOTHING MORE THAN THE PROFIT OF THIS COUNTY. AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, YOU ALL HERE SWORE OATHS TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION. BECAUSE THIS COMMISSION ALLOWS AND ALLOCATES FUNDING THAT ENABLES THESE COURTS AND STATE ACTORS TO OPERATE, THAT CONTINUES TO FUND THESE COURTS TO OPERATE UNCONSTITUTIONAL PRACTICES. AFTER RECEIVING ALL THESE NOTICES, YOU ARE NOW PLACED AT RISK AND IMPLICATED IN THE ONGOING VIOLATIONS. WE ARE CALLING ON ALL OF YOU TO IMMEDIATELY WITHHOLD ANY FUNDING AT THE COUNTY LEVEL THAT SUPPORTS OR ENABLES THESE ACTIONS UNTIL COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONSTITUTION IS RESTORED, AND THAT EVERY CHILD THAT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM AND PUT INTO STATE CUSTODY IS RETURNED. THERE'S NO COURT THAT CAN OPERATE ONLY WHEN THEY'RE IN VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION, AND DEFINITELY NOT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, [ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:] SUPERVISOR BRIAN MARK. MORNING, SIR. >> MORNING. I DIDN'T EXPECT TO SPEAK. I'M NOT HERE IN MY CAPACITY AS A SUPERVISOR OR AS A SOUTHERN CITIZEN. THAT'S THE TONE THIS MORNING. AS I WAS LISTENING TO THE DISCUSSIONS OVER THE BUDGET, I WAS THINKING ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT THE TOWN [INAUDIBLE] HAS HAD, AND WHAT I'VE WATCHED IS A PRIVATE CITIZEN AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES WHERE THE AMERICAN FUNDING CAME IN, AND THAT FUNDING WAS PUT TOWARDS GOOD USE. NOW THAT THAT FUNDING IS GONE, YOU'RE SEEING TOWNS ALL OVER THE PLACE, HAVING TO EXCEED THEIR TAX CAPS TO MEET THEIR REGULAR OBLIGATIONS, THE RISING COST OF HEALTH CARE, THE GROWING COST OF PENSIONS, VARIOUS CAPITAL NEEDS, AND ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE HITTING OTHER TOWNS THAT HIT MY TOWN THIS YEAR IN DISCUSSIONS. MY TOWN BOARD MADE THE MISTAKE OF FAILING TO FUND LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS THAT COULD BE. WE'RE GOING TO FACE THE TAX CAP QUESTION NEXT YEAR. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EXCEED THE TAX CAP. I BRING THAT UP BECAUSE IT WAS ALLUDED TO HERE TODAY. IT'S BEEN IN THE PRESS. IT'S PROBABLY BEEN NOTED IN CHAMBERS HERE PREVIOUSLY THAT YOUR COUNTY IS GOING TO BE DEALING WITH AN ISSUE NEXT YEAR IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. I'LL BE WATCHING AND SEEING HOW THOSE DISCUSSIONS PLAY OUT. BUT WE GOT A BUNCH OF SMART FOLKS THAT ARE ELECTED TO OFFICE HERE IN THE COUNTY. I THINK EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT'S DRIVING THESE COSTS. AGING BUILDINGS, INFRASTRUCTURE, [00:25:02] ITS PENSION, LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS, HEALTH CARE, THINGS LIKE THAT. I'LL BE LISTENING CLOSELY HERE IF THE CULTURE GETS BLAMED FOR LITTLE PEP PROJECTS THAT ARE MISSED IN A LARGER SCHEME OF THINGS. I KNOW CHIEF WAGA IS GOING TO FACE THIS QUESTION TO ADEQUATELY FUND OUR LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS. IN THE 2027 BUDGET, I'M GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT NEXT YEAR. I KNOW THE COUNTY'S GOT YOU GUYS GOT YOUR WORK CUT OUT. I JUST HOPE TO SEE SOME OF THOSE THINGS THAT ARE IN THIS BUDGET THIS YEAR THAT HELP TOWNS LIKE CHIEF WAGA AND SOME OF OUR COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT FESTIVALS AND CONCERTS, AND RECREATIONAL EVENTS IN THE PARKS. I DON'T WANT TO SEE THOSE WITH MY CITIZEN A FALL VICTIM TO A BUDGET WHERE THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EFFORTS OVER THE PAST DECADE TO ADEQUATELY FUND PENSION OBLIGATIONS AND HEALTHCARE, AND NOT KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND SAY, WE HAVE TO OFFER A TAX CUT. WE HAVE TO DO 0% INCREASES. WE HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WE CAN TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND NOT DEAL WITH IT RIGHT NOW, AND LOOK LIKE SANTA CLAUS POLITICIANS, AND I DON'T MEAN TO SAY THAT TO INSULT ANYBODY, BUT I JUST HOPE IT'S A FRUITFUL DISCUSSION FOR THE COUNTY NEXT YEAR. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, BRIAN. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? LAST CALL FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. I WILL NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. PLEASE RISE FOR MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS. [ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:] >> ANNOUNCEMENTS. >> ANNOUNCEMENTS. THE LEGISLATURE WILL CONDUCT COMMITTEE MEETINGS ON THURSDAY AND DECEMBER 11, AND THE SCHEDULE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED. THE NEXT SCHEDULED SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE IS THURSDAY, DECEMBER 18. IT WILL BE OUR FINAL SESSION OF THE YEAR. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS. LEGISLATOR. >> THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. I MOVE TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH TREBINSKI, MUHAMMAD HUSSEIN, AND DR. BONNIE ASH. >> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. >> LEGISLATOR GREENE. >> THANKS, CHAIR MEYERS, I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN IN THE MEMORY OF JUDITH ELLEN. SHE IS THE MOTHER OF PETER, THE TOWN PROSECUTOR. >> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST. WITH THAT, I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN. MOTION TO ADJOURN BY LEGISLATOR GREENE. SECOND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER. ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE. >> OPPOSED? WE STAND ADJOURNED. THANK YOU. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.