[00:00:02]
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK.[ ROLL CALL]
I CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.OLIVIA OWENS: ALL MEMBERS PRESENT.
PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION WILL BE LED BY LEGISLATOR DUPRE.
LAWRENCE DUPRE: [INDISTINCT] TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK, THANK YOU.
PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE TO BE LED BY LEGISLATOR KOOSHOIAN.
MICHAEL KOOSHOIAN: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.
ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
I WILL NOW OPEN THE FLOOR FOR THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[ PUBLIC COMMENT]
WE ASK THAT SPEAKERS KEEP THEIR COMMENTS TO ANY MATTER RELATING INVOLVING TODAY'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT ALL SPEAKERS SHOULD KEEP THEIR REMARKS TO THREE MINUTES.
THE CLERK WILL RING THE BELL WHEN WE HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN OUR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? OK.
WELL, OUR FIRST SPEAKER, WE HAVE NO EMAIL OR PHONE NUMBER, MR. PAUL WOLF.
WHERE'S PAUL? HOW ARE YOU, SIR.
I WANTED TO DISCUSS THE BUDGET HEARINGS THAT ARE ON THE AGENDA FOR TODAY'S MEETING.
I FIND THE BUDGET HEARINGS TO BE VERY INFORMATIVE, BUT IN THE PAST, UNLIKE OTHER MEETINGS, THEY'RE NOT LIVE STREAMED.
A VIDEO RECORDING OF THEM IS NOT POSTED ONLINE.
USUALLY IT'S JUST AN AUDIO RECORDING.
SO I GAVE THIS LEGISLATURE A CREDIT THAT YOU LIVE STREAM ALL YOUR REGULAR MEETINGS, YOUR COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
I WOULD ASK YOU TO DO THE SAME FOR THE BUDGET MEETINGS AND TO POST A RECORDING, VIDEO RECORDING ONLINE AFTERWARDS, SO THAT THE PUBLIC CAN SEE THE IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS THAT YOU'RE HAVING.
SO I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU COULD CONSIDER THAT.
YOU HAVE THE, CERTAINLY THE TECHNOLOGY, THE ABILITY TO DO IT.
I THINK YOU JUST GOT TO PRESS A BUTTON TO DO VIDEO RECORD INSTEAD OF JUST AUDIO RECORD.
AND ANOTHER ITEM, JUST AS FAR AS HOW TO MAKE THE MEETINGS MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.
IF YOU EVER WATCH A LEGISLATURE MEETING, WHICH I ASSUME MANY OF YOU PROBABLY DON'T WATCH THE MEETING AFTERWARDS, BUT FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC AS YOU WATCH THE MEETING, THE ITEMS, WHEN THEY'RE CALLED UP, THEY'RE JUST CALLED UP BY A NUMBER.
WE'RE GOING TO CONSIDER 19-2 THE PUBLIC HAS NO IDEA WHAT THAT ITEM IS UNLESS YOU ACTUALLY PRINT A COPY OF THE AGENDA WHILE YOU WATCH THE MEETING, WHICH I DON'T THINK MOST PEOPLE DO.
IT'S HARD TO KNOW WHAT IT IS YOU'RE DISCUSSING OR VOTING ON.
AT THE COMMON COUNCIL, THE CLERK THERE READS THE TITLE OF THE ITEM, SO AT LEAST YOU HAVE SOME IDEA OF WHAT THE ITEM IS.
SO I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER DOING THE SAME, WHETHER IT COULD BE THE CLERK OR THE CHAIR.
READ THE TITLE OF THE ITEM, NOT JUST THE NUMBER.
I THINK IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE DISCUSSING AT YOUR MEETINGS.
AND THEN FINALLY, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I SENT YOU AN EMAIL A WHILE BACK COMPLAINING ABOUT THE AUDIO IN HERE.
THE AUDIO WAS ALWAYS VERY BAD.
YOU HEARD IT ON THE RECORDINGS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU DID ANYTHING, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE FIXED.
PAUL WOLF: I APPRECIATE YOUR RESPONSIVENESS.
WHENEVER I CONTACT YOU, YOU ALWAYS RESPOND.
AND I THINK THE RECORDINGS ARE MUCH BETTER, SO I APPRECIATE THAT.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: IS IT APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO RESPOND.
I JUST WANTED TO TALK VERY BRIEFLY.
WE'LL LOOK INTO THE LIVE STREAMING OF THE BUDGET HEARINGS.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY RULES OR ANYTHING THAT GOVERN THAT, BUT WE'LL DEFINITELY TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
IT'S FUNNY THAT YOU BRING UP ABOUT THE AGENDA, BECAUSE I WAS JUST TALKING TO THE CLERK ABOUT THIS.
MAYBE STARTING NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO SEE, NOT THE WHOLE AGENDA, BUT THINGS THAT ARE LIKE YOU'RE SAYING, COMMUNICATION 20E, WHATEVER IT IS, IF IT'S AN APPROVAL FOR $500,000 FOR A ROAD PROJECT, THIS AND THAT, JUST TO GIVE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION WHEN I GO OVER THESE ITEMS AS THEY COME FORWARD, AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO WORK ON THAT.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS TODD HARIACZYI.
[00:05:03]
TODD HARIACZYI: GOOD MORNING.TODD HARIACZYI: AS OUR STREETS WILL SOON BE OVERRUN WITH CHILDREN DRESSED AS THEIR FAVORITE GHOSTS AND GOBLINS, I THOUGHT NOW MORE THAN EVER WAS A GOOD TIME TO REMIND COUNTY LEGISLATORS OF THE CAUTIONARY TALE OF FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER.
IN THE FILM, DOCTOR HARRY FRANKENSTEIN CREATES A MONSTER UTILIZING PARTS OF THE DEAD AND BRINGS IT BACK TO LIFE.
HE IS APPALLED, HOWEVER, WHEN THE MONSTER ESCAPES HIS LABORATORY AND TERRORIZES THE NEIGHBORING COUNTRYSIDE, CULMINATING WITH THE DROWNING OF A LITTLE GIRL.
I SAY IT IS A CAUTIONARY TALE, AS THE VERY PERSON WHO CREATED THE MONSTER WITHOUT EVER CONSIDERING THE CONSEQUENCES, IS SUDDENLY SHOCKED TO SEE THE AWFUL THINGS THAT IT HAS DONE.
AND IT RUNS PARALLEL TO REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS NOW SAYING THAT GAS PRICES ARE OUT OF CONTROL, WHILE FAILING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR PARTY IN FACT, HAD A PART IN IT.
IN A SOCIAL MEDIA POST ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, LEGISLATOR TODARO WROTE, "GAS PRICES ARE CURRENTLY HIGH BECAUSE OF FACTORS OUTSIDE OF LOCAL CONTROL.
THE COUNTY SHOULDN'T BENEFIT FROM THAT BY TAKING A MORE SALES TAX.
IN MY OPINION, IT IS A FORM OF GOUGING." LIKE ONE OF THE CADAVERS USED TO ASSEMBLE FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER.
GAS PRICES ARE HIGH BECAUSE THEY HAVE INCREASED A WHOPPING 43.5% SINCE THE START OF THE WAR WITH IRAN.
DRIVERS PAY AN ADDITIONAL $19.50 ON A 15 GALLON TANK OF GAS.
SECOND, THE ERIE COUNTY SALES AND USE TAX RESOLUTION WAS ADOPTED IN 1965, LONG BEFORE THIS LEGISLATIVE BODY, THIS PRESIDENT OR THIS WAR.
SO TO CALL IT PRICE GOUGING, IS BOTH RECKLESS AND DISINGENUOUS.
LET US NOT BLAME THE COUNTY, BUT THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF.
BLAMING THE COUNTY MAKES ABOUT AS MUCH SENSE AS BLAMING THE LITTLE GIRL FOR NOT KNOWING HOW TO SWIM AFTER FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER THROWS HER INTO THE LAKE.
AND WHILE I WOULD LIKE TO SEE LOWER PRICES AT THE PUMP, I CANNOT SUPPORT A GAS TAX CAP AT THIS TIME.
THE PRESIDENT'S DECISION TO GO TO WAR WITH IRAN HAS SENT PRICES SURGING, AND PASSAGE OF HIS SO-CALLED ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL, HAS SHIFTED FUNDING OF ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO THE COUNTY AND STATE.
IT WOULD THEREFORE NOT ONLY BE IRRESPONSIBLE, BUT DANGEROUS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF TAX REVENUE IT COLLECTS WHEN SUCH PROGRAMS ARE AT RISK OF BEING CUT.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE MINORITY CAUCUS HOW IT PLANS TO FUND THE VERY PROGRAMS MANY OF ITS CONSTITUENTS RELY ON, IF IT LIMITS THE SOURCE OF REVENUE, THAT MAY NOT BE A WINDFALL, BUT A LIFELINE TO THE COMMUNITY.
TELL ME LEGISLATORS, HOW DO YOU PLAN ON MAKING UP THE DIFFERENCE? AT THE ONSET OF MY REMARKS.
I HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAD A HAND IN GAS PRICES SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL.
IT WAS REPUBLICANS, AFTER ALL, WHO OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED THE WAR WITH IRAN.
IT WAS REPUBLICANS WHO ALSO CELEBRATED THE PASSAGE OF THE ONE BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL.
MAKE NO MISTAKE, DEAR REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS, IT WAS-- TIMOTHY MEYERS: TIME IS UP.
TODD HARIACZYI: OK, THANK YOU.
IS THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS AT THIS TIME WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK? LAST CALL FOR ANY SPEAKERS.
OK, I WILL CALL CLOSE TO THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
JUST A NOTE FOR IN THE FUTURE IF THIS HAPPENS.
IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO MAKE A MOTION TO EXTEND ANYBODY'S SPEAKING TIME, FEEL FREE TO HAVE AT IT.
JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THAT FOR THE FUTURE.
OK? I'M JUST FOLLOWING THE RULES.
CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA, TABLED ITEMS. THERE ARE NONE.
MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
[ MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING]
MAJORITY LEADER.JOHN GILMOUR: MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.
WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER AND A SECOND FROM LEGISLATOR VINAL.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? OLIVIA OWENS: CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
[ PUBLIC HEARING]
ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, WE WILL HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO HEAR THE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED 2027, ERIE COUNTY BUDGET AT 6:00 PM.MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ON PAGE ONE
[ MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS:]
AND CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE.JOHN GILMOUR: MOVE TO CONSIDER.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK, WE HAVE A MOTION TO CONSIDER BY THE MAJORITY LEADER, SECONDED BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? OLIVIA OWENS: 11 TO 0.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE NOW BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.
[00:10:01]
MAJORITY LEADER.JOHN GILMOUR: MOVE TO AMEND TO INCLUDE ET AL.
WE HAVE A MOTION FROM MAJORITY LEADER TO INCLUDE ET. AL SPONSORSHIP.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
JOHN GILMOUR: MOVE TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE, AS AMENDED BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? OLIVIA OWENS: 11 TO 0.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
THE MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTIONS ARE APPROVED, AS AMENDED.
[ LOCAL LAWS:]
INTRO 4-1 AS INDICATED.REPORT NUMBER 15 FROM THE ENERGY ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE.
[ COMMITTEE REPORTS:]
LEGISLATOR BARGNESI.JOHN BARGNESI, JR.: IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY LEGISLATOR BARGNESI.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY THE MAJORITY LEADER.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? OLIVIA OWENS: 11 TO 0.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: THE REPORT IS APPROVED.
REPORT NUMBER 13 FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.
JOHN GILMOUR: MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND FROM LEGISLATOR TODARO.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? OLIVIA OWENS: 11 TO 0.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: THE REPORT IS APPROVED.
REPORT NUMBER 14 FROM THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE.
LAWRENCE DUPRE: THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN.
MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL FROM LEGISLATOR DUPRE.
WE HAVE A SECOND FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? OLIVIA OWENS: 11 TO 0.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: THE REPORT IS APPROVED.
REPORT NUMBER 11 FROM THE FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
MICHAEL KOOSHOIAN: MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
LAWRENCE DUPRE: SECOND TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL BY LEGISLATOR KOOSHOIAN, AND WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR DUPRE.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? OLIVIA OWENS: 11 TO 0.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: THE REPORT IS APPROVED.
[ LEGISLATOR RESOLUTIONS:]
INTRO 19-1 FROM LEGISLATOR VINAL.JOHN GILMOUR: MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND BY LEGISLATOR VINAL.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? OLIVIA OWENS: 11 TO 0.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: THE MOTION CARRIES.
INTRO 19-2 FROM LEGISLATOR MEYERS AND MILLS.
JOHN GILMOUR: MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND FROM THE MINORITY LEADER.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? OLIVIA OWENS: 11 TO 0.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: THE MOTION CARRIES.
INTRO 19-3 FROM LEGISLATOR MEYERS AND THE MAJORITY LEADER-- OR LEGISLATOR MILLS.
JOHN GILMOUR: MOVE FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND FROM LEGISLATOR LORIGO.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? OLIVIA OWENS: 11 TO 0.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: THE MOTION CARRIES.
INTRO 19-4 FROM LEGISLATOR MILLS.
JOHN GILMOUR: MOVE FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK, WE HAVE A MOTION FOR IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION APPROVAL FROM THE MAJORITY LEADER.
WE HAVE A SECOND FROM THE MINORITY LEADER.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES AND THE RESOLUTION IS APPROVED.
INTRO 19-5 FROM THE MINORITY CAUCUS WILL BE SENT TO FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT UNDER MY AUTHORITY, AS CHAIR.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: LEGISLATOR TODARO.
FRANK TODARO: MOTION TO CHALLENGE THE CHAIR.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: WE HAVE A MOTION TO CHALLENGE THE CHAIR FROM LEGISLATOR TODARO.
WE HAVE A SECOND FROM THE MINORITY LEADER.
OLIVIA OWENS: ON THE MOTION TO CHALLENGE THE CHAIR, WHICH IS SENDING THE ITEM TO COMMITTEE.
OLIVIA OWENS: LEGISLATOR LORIGO.
LINDSAY LORIGO: I'LL EXPLAIN MY VOTE.
WE HAVE DISCUSSED THIS IN THE PAST.
SALES TAX IS AHEAD OF PACE TO WHAT WE BUDGETED.
THIS WOULD NOT CREATE ANY SORT OF GAP OR WINDFALL.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW WE CAN DO TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO ERIE COUNTY RESIDENTS.
WE CAN'T ADDRESS NATIONAL POLICIES HERE.
WE CAN ADDRESS ERIE COUNTY POLICIES.
AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.
AND I JUST WANT TO READ SOMETHING FROM A LETTER SUBMITTED FROM SOME NEW YORK STATE SENATORS ON MARCH 31, 2026, TO KATHY HOCHUL.
IT SAYS A GAS TAX HOLIDAY, WHETHER WITH TRIGGERS TIED TO PRICE AT THE PUMP OR A SPECIFIC TIMELINE, WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS HELP TO PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO AFFORD THEIR DAILY COMMUTES, VISITS TO FAMILY AND BUSINESS EXPENSES.
THIS IS SIGNED BY SENATOR APRIL BASKIN AND SENATOR JEREMY ZELLNER.
AND I WILL SAY FOR ONCE, THAT IS SOMETHING I CAN AGREE WITH THEM ON, AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD IN ERIE COUNTY.
SO FOR THAT REASON, I'M A YES.
JOHN MILLS: YES OLIVIA OWENS: TODARO.
FRANK TODARO: YES OLIVIA OWENS: BARGNESI JOHN BARGNESI, JR.: NO.
[00:15:02]
OLIVIA OWENS: DUPRE.LAWRENCE DUPRE: WANT TO EXPLAIN MY VOTE.
SO LET ME START WHERE EVERY MEMBER OF THE BODY AGREES.
EARLIER THIS MONTH, AAA HAD BUFFALO AT $4.41 A GALLON.
PEOPLE FEEL EVERY CENT OF THAT.
FROM THE HOME CARE AIDE DRIVING HOME, TO THE GRANDMOTHER ON A FIXED INCOME, TO THE PERSON WHO DRIVES FOR A LIVING.
NOBODY IN THIS CHAMBER IS HAPPY ABOUT IT.
BUT LET'S BE CLEAR ABOUT WHERE THIS PRICE JUMP CAME FROM.
THE DAY BEFORE THE WAR WITH IRAN BEGAN, THE NATIONAL AVERAGE WAS $2.98.
THAT'S A 44% JUMP, AND NONE OF IT CAME OUT OF THIS BUILDING.
THE SPONSORS WANT TO ANSWER THAT WITH THE CHANGE TO THE COUNTY SALES TAX.
SO I WANT TO READ ONE LINE FROM THEIR OWN RESOLUTION THAT WAS INTERESTING TO ME.
AND IT SAYS, "AN INDIVIDUAL MAY ONLY BE SAVING A FEW CENTS PER GALLON OF GAS." THEIR WORDS, "JUST A FEW CENTS." FOR THOSE FEW CENTS THEY'RE ASKING US TO CHANGE THE COUNTY'S REVENUE WITH NO END DATE.
THE RESOLUTION SAYS IT RUNS INDEFINITELY.
THEY FILED IT TUESDAY MORNING, AND THEY WANT IT PASSED TODAY, WITHOUT A SINGLE QUESTION IN THE COMMITTEE.
SO FOR ME, IT'S A SIMPLE QUESTION OF, WHAT IS THE RUSH? BECAUSE OUR PRESIDENT HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHERE GAS PRICES ARE GOING.
ON MARCH 5, HE SAID PRICES WOULD DROP VERY RAPIDLY WHEN THE WAR ENDED.
ON APRIL 1. PRIME TIME ADDRESS TO THE NATION, HE SAID GAS PRICES WILL GO DOWN RAPIDLY.
APRIL 20, WHEN HIS OWN ENERGY SECRETARY SAID GAS WILL BE UNDER $3.
WE MIGHT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 2027.
THE PRESIDENT CALLED THAT TOTALLY WRONG.
ON SEPTEMBER 7, HE WROTE THE GAS IS HEADED TO $3 A GALLON, BUT ULTIMATELY $2 A GALLON, BELOW $2 A GALLON.
ON SEPTEMBER 9, RIGHT AFTER THE ELECTION, OIL PRICES ARE GOING TO BE TUMBLING DOWN.
OCTOBER 12, IS GOING TO BE GOING DOWN TO $1.85 A GALLON.
ON OCTOBER 14, THE OIL IS GOING TO DROP LIKE A ROCK.
AND THEN ON TUESDAY, THE SAME DAY THIS RESOLUTION WAS FILED, HE SAID IT AGAIN.
NOW LET'S LOOK WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US.
THE RESOLUTION DOESN'T EVEN TAKE EFFECT UNTIL SEPTEMBER-- UNTIL DECEMBER 1.
THAT'S FOUR WEEKS AFTER THE ELECTION.
RIGHT NOW WHEN THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE PRICES ARE TUMBLING AND IT ONLY CUTS, AND ALSO IT ONLY CUTS THE TAX ON THE PART OF THE PRICE ABOVE $2 A GALLON.
THE PRESIDENT CONTINUES TO SAY WE'RE HEADED TO A $1.85.
SO IF THE PRESIDENT IS RIGHT, THIS RESOLUTION SAVES NOBODY ANYTHING.
AND IF MY COLLEAGUES BELIEVE THE PRESIDENT IS WRONG, AND THEY THINK THE PRICES ARE NOT COMING DOWN, I WOULD WHOLEHEARTEDLY INVITE THEM TO STAND UP WITH ME, AND SAY SO.
SO SOME WILL SAY, THIS BODY HAS DONE THIS BEFORE, AND THEY'RE RIGHT.
WE DID IT IN '22 AND WE DID IT IN '23.
BUT THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IS THAT WAS A TEMPORARY MEASURE WITH AN END DATE.
EVEN THE PRESIDENT WROTE IN JUNE, GASOLINE PRICES BETTER START GOING DOWN A LOT FASTER THAN WHAT I'M SEEING.
AND THEN HE CALLED THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.
THERE ARE REAL QUESTIONS HERE.
WHAT DOES THIS COST THE COUNTY, IN THE MIDDLE OF BUDGET SEASON? WHO COVERS THAT COST? WILL ONE SENTIMENT ACTUALLY REACH A DRIVER? AND FOR ME, THAT'S WHAT COMMITTEES ARE FOR.
IT'S WHERE SERIOUS PROPOSALS GET SERIOUS ANSWERS.
THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE HAS THIS UNDER CONTROL.
HE HAS TOLD THIS MORE THAN TWO DOZEN TIMES SINCE MARCH, THAT LOWER PRICES ARE COMING.
LET'S TAKE HIM AT HIS WORD AND LET'S DO OUR HOMEWORK.
JOHN GILMOUR: NO OLIVIA OWENS: KOOSHOIAN.
MICHAEL KOOSHOIAN: NO OLIVIA OWENS: MEYERS.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: I'LL EXPLAIN MY VOTE.
WE'VE HAD THIS TALK A WHILE AGO.
WE'VE HEARD TESTIMONY THAT THE SAVINGS WERE NOT REALIZED AT THE PUMP FOR STATE RECORDS.
THE PRESIDENT, AS WE HEARD, SAID THE GAS WAS GOING TO DROP SO FAST THAT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT.
THAT WE'RE GOING TO BRING IN BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TARIFF MONEY, AND EVERY FAMILY'S GOING TO GET $5,000, AND WE'VE SEEN NONE OF THAT.
ANOTHER CONCERN THAT I HAVE IS, I KNOW THAT NOT ALL BUT SOME PROPRIETORS ARE PUSHING FOR THIS.
AND I THINK SOME OF THE MOTIVATION IS THAT THEY CAN POCKET THIS TAX DECREASE BECAUSE WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE PRICE OF GAS.
SO I THINK THAT'S A MOTIVATIONAL PART OF THIS AS WELL.
I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO SEE SOME TESTIMONY PROVING THAT THE SAVINGS WAS PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER.
TAISHA ST. JEAN TARD: : EXPLAIN MY VOTE.
WHILE I UNDERSTAND THE DESIRE TO PROVIDE RELIEF AT THE PUMP, I THINK WE'RE ALL FEELING IT.
IT STARTED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
IT STARTED WITH THE CURRENT PRESIDENT.
AND I UNDERSTAND THAT EVERYONE'S STRUGGLING.
WE HAVE A LOT THAT'S GOING ON FINANCIALLY.
BUT I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT THIS RESOLUTION HAD NO END DATE.
IT STARTED LATER THAN CURRENTLY.
AND THEN, ON TOP OF THAT, THE FUNDS THAT WE WOULD BE REMOVING, THESE ARE THE FUNDS THAT WOULD HELP OUR ECONOMY, OUR TOWNS,
[00:20:02]
OUR CITIES, FOR PUBLIC SERVICE, FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR PROGRAMS THAT THEY RELY.SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY IN THEIR BUDGET.
SO BEFORE WE START PASSING A RESOLUTION, I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE CONVERSATION, LIKE WE DO WITH EVERYTHING ELSE.
WE SHOULDN'T JUST SAY YES ON THIS, WITHOUT HAVING A TRUE CONVERSATION BACK AND FORTH.
I THINK THAT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
SO SIMPLY PUT, IF WE'RE WILLING TO SACRIFICE OUR ROADS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR, PUBLIC SAFETY, COMMUNITY SERVICES FOR A COUPLE CENTS, THAT IN REALITY WAS NOT EVEN SEEN THE LAST TIME THIS WAS PASSED.
THEN WE SHOULD HAVE A CONVERSATION.
JEANNE VINAL: MY VOTE ON NOT HAVING IT GO TO COMMITTEE IS A NO.
BUT I AM OBVIOUSLY IN FAVOR OF THE GAS TAX BECAUSE A TAXING THE GAS, BECAUSE IT'S SUCH A REGRESSIVE TAX, AND IT'S A TAX THAT AFFECTS WORKING PEOPLE, MIDDLE CLASS AND SMALL BUSINESSES, THAT THEY CAN'T REALLY AVOID.
AND WHETHER IT'S CAUSED BY THE WAR OR CAUSED BY OTHER THINGS TO ME IS SOMEWHAT IRRELEVANT ON THAT ASPECT.
HOWEVER, I AGREE WITH OUR CHAIR THAT THERE'S QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.
SPECIFICALLY THE QUESTIONS ON PASSING ON THE SAVINGS THAT WAS KINDA THROWN ON THE PEOPLE AT THE LAST MINUTE AND THEY DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO REALLY GET FACTS.
AND THERE WAS SOME ISSUE WITH REGARD TO THE NUMBERS, BECAUSE THEY USE THE STATISTICAL AREA, WHICH IS 8 COUNTIES AND 7 COUNTIES, AS OPPOSED TO A 1 FOR 1.
SO I DO-- AND THERE WERE STUDIES THAT WERE BROUGHT THAT SAID A LITTLE BIT IS RETAINED BY THE REALTOR, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY IS PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER WHENEVER THERE'S ONE OF THESE KIND OF THINGS.
THE OTHER THING THAT'S DIFFERENT NOW IS THAT THE BUDGET'S ALREADY OUT.
AND THEY PREVIOUSLY-- THEY UNDERESTIMATED THE SALES TAX DRAMATICALLY AT 1% OR 1.5% IN THEIR ESTIMATES.
THIS YEAR THE SALES TAX IS ESTIMATED AT 3% WHICH MOST STUDIES ARE SAYING NOW THAT IT'S GOING TO BE 2% OR 2.5%.
SO WE MIGHT HAVE OVERSTATED THE SALES TAX AND NOT PASSED ON IT AS A PROPERTY TAX.
SO I DO THINK THAT I HOPE I'M NOT ASKING IT TO GO TO COMMITTEE JUST TO HAVE IT DIE IN COMMITTEE, BUT TO HAVE IT TO BE EXACTLY LOOKED AT AND LISTENED TO AND GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO BRING IN, AS THE CHAIR SAID, AND AS THE LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD SAID, TO HAVE PEOPLE COME IN AND EXPLAIN THESE THINGS TO US, SO WE DON'T VOTE IN HASTE, AND THEN MAYBE IT WILL BE SOMETHING THAT CAN GET PASSED AS OPPOSED TO JUST TO SHOW TO HAVE IT NOT GET PASSED.
AND BACK TO LEGISLATOR GREENE.
CHRISTOPHER GREENE: THANK YOU.
I'LL READ AN EXCERPT FROM THE SAME LETTER REFERENCED BY LEGISLATOR LORIGO.
DEAR GOVERNOR HOCHUL, WE WRITE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE NEW YORK STATE GAS TAX AND DIESEL TAX HOLIDAY IN RESPONSE TO THE RECENT SPIKE IN PRICES CAUSED BY THE WAR IN IRAN.
THIS INCREASE HAS DISRUPTED DAILY LIFE FOR NEW YORKERS STATEWIDE, FROM COMMUTING TO INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION TO TOURISM.
A GAS TAX HOLIDAY, AS WAS DONE IN 2022, WOULD BE A VITAL STEP TOWARDS HELPING NEW YORKERS STRUGGLING WITH THESE INCREASED COSTS.
HAVING A DISCUSSION ABOUT NATIONAL POLITICS, WHILE RELEVANT, IS NOT PRODUCTIVE.
WE COULD GO BACK AND TALK ABOUT WHAT CAUSED THE INCREASE IN GAS IN 2022.
IT WENT UP $1.53 FROM THE DAY PRESIDENT BIDEN GOT ELECTED BEFORE, THE WAR IN UKRAINE.
$1.53 BEFORE WE COULD TALK ENDLESSLY ABOUT THE DIFFERENT POLICIES CLOSING DOWN PIPELINES, DIFFERENT THINGS THAT HAVE HANDCUFFED THE INDUSTRY, BUT IN THE END, THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE PRODUCTIVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF ERIE COUNTY.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR EVERYBODY ON MY SIDE OF THE AISLE, BUT WE CONCEDE THAT THE CONFLICT IN IRAN HAS CAUSED GAS PRICES TO SPIKE.
AND IF YOU LOOK ACROSS IT, AND IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAS GONE ON WHEN GAS TAX HOLIDAYS HAVE BEEN DONE, IT IS PROVEN, IT HAS BEEN SHOWN.
AND AS I REFERENCED LAST TIME WHEN IT WAS DONE JUST ACROSS THE BORDER, IMMEDIATELY A 70% OF THAT IS THE NEXT DAY GETS PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER.
AND AS TIME GOES ON, SUPPLY AND DEMAND CONTINUE TO PASS THOSE SAVINGS ON TO THE CONSUMER.
THE REALITY IS THAT WHEN WE DID THIS IN 2022, THERE WAS NO NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE BUDGET.
NOT A SINGLE SERVICE GOT CUT, BECAUSE WHEN
[00:25:03]
PEOPLE SAVE $20 OR $30 A MONTH, THEY GO AND SPEND THAT ELSE IN THE COMMUNITY.THEY'RE NOT PUTTING IT AWAY, FOR LATER.
THIS WILL HELP PEOPLE IN ERIE COUNTY, IMMEDIATELY.
SO ULTIMATELY, THE QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ASKED, PUT THE PARTISAN POLITICS ASIDE, WHERE IS YOUR GREATER MOTIVATION FOR GOVERNING? DO YOU LOVE THE PEOPLE OF ERIE COUNTY, IN YOUR DISTRICT? DO YOU WANT TO HELP THEM OUT WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST? OR DO WE WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU HATE THE PRESIDENT? I KNOW WHERE I STAND.
THE MOTION FAILS AND THE ITEM WILL BE SENT TO FINANCE AND MANAGEMENT.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: THANK YOU, CLERK.
CONTINUING ON WITH OUR AGENDA.
COMMUNICATIONS DISCHARGE FROM COMMITTEE.
COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS.
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS:]
COMMUNICATION 19E-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 19E-14 AS INDICATED.COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS.
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS:]
COMMUNICATION 19D-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 19D-3 AS INDICATED.COMMUNICATIONS FROM PEOPLE IN OTHER AGENCIES.
[ COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PEOPLE AND OTHER AGENCIES:]
COMMUNICATION 19M-1 THROUGH AND INCLUDING COMMUNICATION 19M-7 AS INDICATED.I WILL NOW OPEN UP THE FLOOR FOR THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
OK, I WILL NOW OPEN UP THE FLOOR FOR THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT
[ PUBLIC COMMENT:]
PERIOD.DURING THE SECOND SESSION, WE ASK THAT SPEAKERS KEEP THEIR COMMENTS TO ANY MATTER INVOLVING ERIE COUNTY.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT ALL SPEAKERS WILL KEEP THEIR REMARKS TO THREE MINUTES.
THE CLERK WILL RING THE BELL WHEN THERE ARE 30 SECONDS LEFT.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE BEGIN THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
OK, WITH THAT, THE CLERK HAS A LETTER THAT WAS SENT IN.
OLIVIA OWENS: I RECEIVED THIS LETTER THROUGH THE MAIL IN TIME TO BE READ TODAY.
IT IS FROM JANICE PERRIN, WHO IS AN AMHERST RESIDENT.
ERIE COUNTY CLERK, I'M ASKING THAT THE SHORT LETTER BE READ AT THURSDAY, 10, 22, '26 MEETING.
LET ME TELL YOU A FEW THINGS ABOUT MY FAMILY AND MYSELF.
73-YEAR-OLD, MARRIED WIFE, MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER, RESIDES IN AMHERST, NEW YORK.
PURCHASED A HOME IN JULY, 2001.
PAID AN EXTRA $100 PER MONTH TOWARD MORTGAGE.
INCOME TAX REFUND WENT TOWARD PAYING OFF THIS DEBT.
2017, PAID OFF OUR 30 YEAR MORTGAGE IN 16 YEARS.
OTHER WAYS WE ARE SAVING MONEY.
PURCHASE SECOND HAND CAR IN 2015, A 2012 IMPALA, WHICH WE STILL HAVE.
UTILITIES USE COMPARISON OF GAS AND ELECTRIC IN NEW YORK ON INTERNET.
FOOD, FARMERS MARKET, COUPONS, CHECKING PRICES ONLINE, GAS RECENTLY JOINED BJ'S FOR $10 A YEAR.
GAS FOR ONLY $389.00 VERSUS $459.00 THAT WAS LAST WEEK'S PRICE.
RETIRED AFTER 20 YEARS OF PART TIME WORK AT WEGMANS.
HUSBAND WAS DISABLED FROM AN ACCIDENT AT THE AGE OF 50, SO HE HAD TO RETIRE EARLY.
AS A RESULT OF THIS, WE ARE ON A LIMITED INCOME BUT HAVE ALWAYS THRIVED TO TIGHTEN OUR BELT ANY WAY WE CAN.
WHILE WE'RE TRYING TO SAVE MONEY, IT SEEMS THAT ERIE COUNTY ISN'T, AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED BY DOING THE FOLLOWING.
NOT SURE WHY WE NEEDED TO DO THIS, THEN SOLD IT FOR $1.
WHY? THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME AND OTHERS.
WOULD YOU SELL YOUR HOME OR HOUSE FOR A DOLLAR? THIS HAS LEFT ERIE IN A HUGE DEFICIT TO PAY BACK THE MONEY WE OWE ON THIS PROPERTY.
BUFFALO BILLS STADIUM 250 MILLION PLUS INTEREST 125 MILLION WAS USED AS A DOWN PAYMENT FROM OUR EMERGENCY FUND.
BORROW OR TOOK A LOAN OUT FOR THE REMAINING 125 MILLION PLUS INTEREST.
COST THE AVERAGE TAXPAYERS $263 ON TAXES FOR THE 950,000 RESIDENTS, $249,850,000 A YEAR FOR 25 TO 30 YEARS.
WHY IS IT TAKING 25 TO 30 TO PAY BACK WHEN YOU ARE GENERATING CLOSE TO 250 MILLION A YEAR? THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO SOMEONE WHO IS CONSTANTLY TIGHTENING OUR BELT TO SAVE.
NOW LET'S LOOK AT JENNA, THE FINAL BILL.
I'M ASSUMING SHE MEANS JEANNE VINAL.
THAT WOULD ASSIST IN DISTRICT 5.
01,200 TO 1,600 SENIORS WHO ARE MAKING $50,000 OR LESS A YEAR.
FROM MY RESEARCH DATA, IT STATED THAT EACH DISTRICT HAS AROUND 86,000 PEOPLE, 1,600 SENIORS EQUALS 84,400 WHO ARE NOT SENIORS MAKING THIS AMOUNT.
THESE SENIORS ARE THOSE WHOSE NEIGHBORS WHO ARE DIABETIC HAVING TO RATIONING THEIR MEDS TO PAY THEIR TAXES, EATING ONLY ONE MEAL A DAY TO SAVE MONEY TO PAY THEIR TAXES, USING STOVES TO HEAT WATER ON IT, TO HEAT THEIR HOMES, TO SAVE MONEY, TO PAY THEIR TAXES.
[00:30:02]
PERSON WITH CANCER WHO IS FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIFE ONLY TO HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT, THE COST OF MEDICATION OR TREATMENTS, OR PAYING THEIR TAXES.I WILL CLOCK IN THIS LETTER AND IT WILL BE ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT SESSION.
I HAVE TO READ IT AS I AM SET.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: YEAH, I UNDERSTAND LEGISLATOR BUT MAJORITY LEADER.
BUT IT WAS A PERSON THAT WAS NOT HERE TO READ IT, SO I DIDN'T WANT TO CUT THE CLERK OFF.
MAYBE SHE HAVE TO READ A LITTLE FASTER.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.
SPEAKER: I'LL SECOND THAT MOTION.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: GRANTED OLIVIA OWENS: OK, I WILL FINISH THE LETTER.
PERSON WITH CANCER WHO IS FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIFE, ONLY TO HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT.
THE COST OF MEDICATION OR TREATMENTS ARE PAYING THEIR TAXES.
THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF OUR SENIORS WHO ARE HAVING TO DECIDE TO SELL THEIR HOMES OR KEEP ON STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR TAXES, WHICH SEEMS TO KEEP ON RISING UP IN PRICE EVERY YEAR.
YET THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO ASSISTING SUCH A SMALL NUMBER OF SENIORS WHO ARE IN NEED.
I FEEL THAT YOU HAD NO PROBLEM IN TAKING THE 125 MILLION OUT OF OUR RESERVE FOR EMERGENCY, PLUS TAKING A 25 TO 30 YEAR LOAN ON THE REMAINING 125 MILLION PLUS INTEREST TO PAY FOR AN NFL STADIUM.
SINCE YOU ARE ABLE TO PAY FOR SPORTS STADIUM, THEN IT MAKES NO SENSE TO ME WHY YOU CANNOT ASSIST IN COMING UP WITH A WAY TO HELP THOSE SENIORS WHO ARE IN NEED.
YOU INDICATE YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, BUT YOU HAD IT FOR A STADIUM, SO I BEG YOU TO SEARCH YOUR CONSCIENCE AS WHAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
AFTER ALL, THIS COULD BE YOUR NEIGHBOR, PARENTS, SIBLINGS, GRANDPARENTS OR FRIENDS WHO ARE FACING THIS SITUATION.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING AN OPEN MIND IN THIS SITUATION.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: THANK YOU, CLERK.
THIS IS THE WRONG LIST BECAUSE THIS IS THE SAME NAME.
MR. WOLF, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, SIR.
OLIVIA OWENS: YOU CAN'T JOKE WITH ME AFTERWARDS.
PAUL WOLF, A RESIDENT OF THE TOWN OF AMHERST.
PEOPLE ALL ACROSS ERIE COUNTY ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY.
THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO PAY FOR GAS FOR THEIR VEHICLES.
THEY'RE STRUGGLING TO PAY FOR THEIR UTILITY BILLS.
AND WHAT THEY WANT IS ELECTED OFFICIALS TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIGHT FOR THEM.
THEY WANT ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO PUT SERVING THE PUBLIC BEFORE SERVING THEIR PARTY.
AND THE DEBATE THAT I JUST SAW MINUTES AGO WAS A LOT OF GRANDSTANDING, A LOT OF POLITICAL THEATER.
BUT IT'S NOT GOING TO DO MUCH TO HELP THE PUBLIC.
THE PROPOSAL REGARDING THE GAS TAX IS MEANINGLESS TO ME.
IT'S NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING SUBSTANTIAL TO HELP THE PUBLIC.
IT GIVES THE ILLUSION THAT WE'RE DOING SOMETHING TO HELP THE PUBLIC, BUT IT'S NOT MEANINGFUL.
IF YOU WANT TO ADDRESS GAS PRICES, UTILITY PRICES IN A MEANINGFUL WAY, YOU NEED TO DO TWO THINGS AND YOU SHOULD DO IT IN A BIPARTISAN FASHION.
NUMBER ONE, HOW ABOUT WE PASS A RESOLUTION.
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SAYING WE NEED TO END THE WAR IN IRAN.
THAT HAS DRIVEN UP GAS PRICES MORE THAN ANYTHING.
NUMBER-- BUT THE REPUBLICANS WON'T DO THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO DEFEND THEIR PARTY.
THEY HAVE TO DEFEND THEIR PRESIDENT.
THAT'S NOT SERVING THE PUBLIC, THAT'S SERVING YOUR PARTY.
THE SECOND THING YOU SHOULD DO IS PASS A RESOLUTION CALLING ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO ROLL BACK HER ENERGY MANDATES.
THAT'S AFFECTING CONSUMERS ON THEIR UTILITY BILLS.
BUT DEMOCRATS WON'T DO THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO DEFEND THEIR PARTY.
THEY HAVE TO DEFEND THEIR GOVERNOR.
THAT'S PUTTING YOUR PARTY BEFORE SERVING THE PUBLIC.
THE PUBLIC IS FED UP WITH ALL THIS POLITICAL THEATER AND GRANDSTANDING.
THE FASTEST GROWING GROUP OF VOTERS ARE INDEPENDENTS.
PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH EITHER PARTY.
I'M AN INDEPENDENT, BECAUSE I THINK THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE BOTH FAILING TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.
AND THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF IT.
THEY WANT ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO WILL WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS. AND THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAW HERE TODAY.
TODD MARIACHI: I'D JUST LIKE TO PICK UP WHERE I LEFT OFF, IF THAT'S OK, SIR.
SO AT THE ONSET OF MY PREVIOUS REMARKS, I HAD SUGGESTED THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAD A HAND IN GAS PRICES SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL.
IT WAS REPUBLICANS, AFTER ALL, WHO OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED THE WAR WITH IRAN.
IT WAS REPUBLICANS WHO HAD ALSO CELEBRATED THE PASSAGE
[00:35:03]
OF THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, DEAR REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS, IT WAS YOU WHO CREATED THIS MONSTER.
AND IT WILL EVENTUALLY TURN ON YOU TOO FOR THIS IS NOT A MONSTER WHO HAUNTS SOME FICTIONAL EUROPEAN COUNTRYSIDE OR LONG ABANDONED WINDMILL.
IT IS A MONSTER THAT HAS TAKEN UP RESIDENCE AT 1,600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE.
AND THAT SHOULD SCARE THE HECK OUT OF ALL OF YOU.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OK, LAST CALL FOR THE SECOND.
LAST CALL FOR THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
OK, I WILL CLOSE THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.
[ ANNOUNCEMENTS:]
THE LEGISLATURE WILL CONDUCT COMMITTEE MEETINGS NEXT THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29.THE SCHEDULE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED LATER ON BY THE CLERK.
THE NEXT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? OK PLEASE RISE FOR A MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS.
[ MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS:]
LEGISLATOR BARGNESI.TIMOTHY MEYERS: SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS LEGISLATOR.
LINDSAY LORIGO: I'D LIKE TO CLOSE IN MEMORY OF SCOTT WINDOVER.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS LEGISLATOR.
JOHN GILMOUR: TO ADJOURN IN MEMORY OF TIMOTHY MEYERS: SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, LEGISLATOR.
A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THOSE WHO WENT ON TO BE WITH THE LORD.
I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
MOTION TO ADJOURN BY LEGISLATOR ST. JEAN TARD AND LEGISLATOR DUPRE.
TIMOTHY MEYERS: OPPOSED? SENATE ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.