Erie County (NY) Workers React to Possibility of 3,000 Job Cuts

http://www.wgrz.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=24083

"This is not a game, not a gimmick, this is real," said Erie County Executive Joel Giambra, as he outlined "Green" and "Red" budget options Friday morning in the Rath building.

The "Green" plan depends on a penny increase in the sales tax, would cut 200 jobs and some projects, but preserve services like libraries and sheriff's road patrols.

The "Red" plan outlines life without a sales tax increase, and involves 3,000 county jobs cuts, leaving only mandated programs. Another 3,000 jobs outside of government would be lost, according to the budget plan.

For years, Giambra has blamed rising Medicaid costs on New York State's failure to change the system. He said that failure is to blame for next year's projected $130 million budget shortfall.

<snip>

"That's your life. If you don't have a job, how can you live," said Tawny Yarns.

...more at link...

How did you vote recently?

Erie County was also a huge finacial supporter of Edwards during the primaries. He raised a lot of money from Buffalo.

can now afford a fleet of new yachts with their massive tax cut!
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

it has never recovered from the loss of manufacturing jobs
over 20 years ago and it just keeps getting worse. Sad to
hear nothing is getting any better there. A lot of good hard
workers in Buffalo, good people.

I too used to live in the Buffalo area, and I am really saddened to hear this. I hope they don't opt for the more severe plan.

By the way, I remember how high the sales taxes were there. If Bush wants a national sales tax, can you imagine the burden on consumers?

the clueless!

This is total BS. Giambra is playing a shell game to cover up his incompetence.

Basically three issues (that the story - of course - makes no mention of):
1) The state & county economy is in the tank, revenues and services are already cut to the bone. Even if he wanted to Giambra can't cut any more & keep things going

2) The state lets the county charge an extra 1% sales tax - 60% of which goes to the city. Giambra is jealous of that and wants to re-negotiate with the city. He's holding the county services over the city's head as ransom. Too bad for him, the split is written into state law. Neither the city nor the county can change it alone.

3) The state decreased the Medicare reimbursement to the county (mainly b/c the Fed gov't decreased them to the state. Thx duhbya.) So, Giambra has been propagandizing that we either have to a) cut the Medicare benefits (illegal), b) cut spending (3000 county jobs would help that greatly - and break the union contract too), or c) heaven forbid RAISE PROPERTY TAXES!

Now, as some of you may know the property tax in Western NY is nothing compared to the rest of the country. My house cost $82k, my county tax levy is $518/yr. Don't laugh.

OK, you can stop laughing now.

OK, stop.

Finished? Good.

Giambra is a 'puke who came into office promising (what else) smaller gov't & tax cuts. Now he's trying to BLACKMAIL the civil service unions to tear up their contract (negotiated by them in good faith). He's also going after the county legislature to cut taxes even more - trying to tie them to the state Medicare support the county is required to pay. Newsflash Joel - THE COUNTY PROP TAX HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MEDICARE!

This isn't gonna happen. They're going to have to RAISE taxes just to pay for the meager services they provide.

Other than that... it's upsetting to hear, that's the last thing the area needs. :cry:

I went to College at Fredonia and love this part of the state. I hate to hear stuff like this as I have a lot of friends that still live in Buffalo and the surrounding areas.

She tells me that Giambra had a problem when it was revealed that he was giving county contracts to pals of his -- what's the story there?

tables on them with every such news coming around.