BUFFALO, N.Y. — There has been a lot of discussion about the state ballot Proposition 1. For Erie County voters, there is a different Proposition 1. It covers how the Erie County government votes to extend the 8.75% sales tax.
This leads to the political divisions and positions over the process of renewing this tax, which we all pay anytime we buy any item or service.
It is leftover from those dark days of the 2004-2005 Erie County budget battle where we didn't know if there was enough money to keep sheriff's deputies on patrol or county parks open.
The state gave Erie County government the temporary chance to bail itself out with an addition of 1.75% to the then existing 7% sales tax.
Now some two decades later that temporary extended 8.75% sales tax is one of the highest in the state among counties which do not support New York City's transit system. It has to be reauthorized every two years by county lawmakers.
Currently, it is a supermajority vote which means a Republican lawmaker has to go along with the existing seven majority Democrats to approve it. Republicans say that can lead to effective budget negotiations with the county executive and majority Democrats.
If it is less than that supermajority for approval, a referendum or public vote is required.
Republican Legislator Lindsay Lorigo of District 10 in West Seneca said, "For decades the county executive's office has been able to work with the legislature, both sides of the legislature, have been able to work to pass it. There's no reason that that would change. All they want to do is make sure that they don't have to work across the aisle."
Under Proposition 1, which is up for voters to decide, there would now be a simple majority vote. Democrats say that would make sure county spending is "not held hostage" when it is needed for vital services at the county level. Then it is also shared with local governments and school districts which also depend on property taxes.
Democratic Legislator Jeanne Vinal of District 5 in Amherst said, "They're asking for a minority group to have a black ball kind of a decision that they can undermine the majority by just one black ball. And that gives undue power — undue anti-American power to any power — whether it's one side or the other. It's the majority that should rule."
Vinal added, "It's just who's going to pay it in sales tax or in the property taxes. People don't want — you know, one of the great things about Buffalo is affordable housing — and we don't want to undermine that by increasing property taxes."
But Republican Chris Greene of District 6 in Clarence said, "Proposition 1 in Erie County removes the public's right to approve the oversight of their government when it comes to sales tax. It is that simple."