Yes on 1
Earlier this year, the Western New York Coalition for Progress issued a report (pdf) reviewing the various types of county governments permissible under New York State law. In that report, the Coalition made specific recommendations for amending Erie County’s charter, with the hope that the Erie County Charter Revision Commission and county legislature would consider them as they proposed amendments to Erie County’s Charter..
After long deliberations by the Commission, legislature and county executive, over 30 amendments to Erie County’s Charter have been passed and will be put before the voters of Erie County on November 7th as “County Proposition One†– a voter referendum to amend Erie County’s Charter. Some of recommendations contained in the Coalition’s report are included in this referendum.
The Coalition supports passage of the referendum, and is recommending that all Erie County voters vote “YES” in favor of the proposed charter amendments on election day.
As I stated on the Coalition’s behalf countless times last spring, we believe that the county’s fiscal crisis was the fault of our elected officials - not a structural flaw in county government. Major structural change was not needed. Just a nudge here and there.
So, be like all the cool kids and vote Yes on Proposition 1.
