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Buffalo Common Council Procedures and How You Can Get Involved
Sarah Wooton — Jul 31, 2023
The Buffalo Common Council is the legislative branch of the City of Buffalo. The council meets every week to discuss city matters, including resident concerns. At PPG, we want you to know how the council works so that you can feel confident making your voice heard in council chambers.
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Ranked Choice Voting in Western New York? Successes & Lessons from New York City
Jay Wendland, Erin Carman — May 8, 2023
Western New York (WNY) should consider joining the ranks of the sixty-two jurisdictions nation-wide that have chosen Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) over the more commonly used plurality voting system. In weighing the importance of such a change, voters and leaders may consider lessons and successes learned from New York City (NYC) in its adoption and implementation of RCV.
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Unburying Buffalo: Making the Case for Sidewalk Snow Removal
Keelan Erhard, Buffalo Democratic Socialists of America — Apr 12, 2023
This report is two-fold. Firstly, it aims to frame the problem of lack of sidewalk snow removal as relevant and requiring remedy. Secondly, it also offers solutions as to how such a plan may be implemented.
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Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) Forms
Civil Rights and Transparency Clinic, University at Buffalo School of Law — Jan 26, 2023
This is the set of forms that accompanies the Self Help Guide: How to Submit a Freedom of Information Law Request Without a Lawyer.
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Self Help Guide: How to Submit a Freedom of Information Law Request (FOIL) Without a Lawyer
Civil Rights and Transparency Clinic, University at Buffalo School of Law — Jan 26, 2023
The ‘Self-Help Guide: How to Submit a Freedom of Information Law Request in New York without a Lawyer’ (the “Guide”) is for anyone who has requested information under the New York State Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). This Guide also assists users who have been improperly ignored, denied, or charged an unreasonable fee for their request for information. The Guide also provides the information you need when determining whether to pursue a pro se lawsuit and illustrates …
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The True Cost of Child Care: Erie County NY (Final Report)
Lou Jean Fleron, Russell Weaver, Catherine Creighton — Oct 26, 2022
Funded by Erie County and supplemented with New York state funds allocated to the Cornell ILR Buffalo Co-Lab, the study builds on the Phase One report issued earlier this year and analyzes data on the child care industry and workforce for both Erie County and the state.
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How To Better Welcome Refugees and Secondary Migrants
Laila Rahbari — Sep 7, 2022
This report examines assets, challenges, and potential recommendations for supports for refugees and migrants in Buffalo.
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Building a Safer Buffalo: Invest in Communities, Divest from Police
Colleen Kristich — May 6, 2021
Across the country, advocates are calling to cut police budgets in response to widespread misconduct made visible by videos of police killing unarmed civilians, disproportionately Black Americans, Indigenous people and people of color. Many attempts at police reform have failed to meaningfully change the harmful culture and practices of policing, and even with outsized public investment in law enforcement, public safety problems persist. Concerned residents and advocates call for reallocating …
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The Cost of Incarceration in NYS: Erie County
Vera Institute of Justice — Apr 13, 2021
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Buffalo Common Council Districts: Delaware District
Sarah Wooton, Alana Barrington Dye — Aug 1, 2020
The "Buffalo Common Council Districts" fact sheet series is a set of 9 fact sheets about each of the 9 Common Council districts in the City of Buffalo. For each district, we explore resident demographics, community landmarks, household income, housing costs, and educational attainment data.
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Buffalo Common Council Districts: Ellicott District
Sarah Wooton, Alana Barrington Dye — Aug 1, 2020
The "Buffalo Common Council Districts" fact sheet series is a set of 9 fact sheets about each of the 9 Common Council districts in the City of Buffalo. For each district, we explore resident demographics, community landmarks, household income, housing costs, and educational attainment data.
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Buffalo Common Council Districts: Fillmore District
Sarah Wooton, Alana Barrington Dye — Aug 1, 2020
The "Buffalo Common Council Districts" fact sheet series is a set of 9 fact sheets about each of the 9 Common Council districts in the City of Buffalo. For each district, we explore resident demographics, community landmarks, household income, housing costs, and educational attainment data.
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Buffalo Common Council Districts: Lovejoy District
Sarah Wooton, Alana Barrington Dye — Aug 1, 2020
The "Buffalo Common Council Districts" fact sheet series is a set of 9 fact sheets about each of the 9 Common Council districts in the City of Buffalo. For each district, we explore resident demographics, community landmarks, household income, housing costs, and educational attainment data.
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Buffalo Common Council Districts: Masten District
Sarah Wooton, Alana Barrington Dye — Aug 1, 2020
The "Buffalo Common Council Districts" fact sheet series is a set of 9 fact sheets about each of the 9 Common Council districts in the City of Buffalo. For each district, we explore resident demographics, community landmarks, household income, housing costs, and educational attainment data.
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Buffalo Common Council Districts: Niagara District
Sarah Wooton, Alana Barrington Dye, Lorena Flores — Aug 1, 2020
The "Buffalo Common Council Districts" fact sheet series is a set of 9 fact sheets about each of the 9 Common Council districts in the City of Buffalo. For each district, we explore resident demographics, community landmarks, household income, housing costs, and educational attainment data.
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Buffalo Common Council Districts: North District
Sarah Wooton, Alana Barrington Dye, Katy Kaufman — Aug 1, 2020
The "Buffalo Common Council Districts" fact sheet series is a set of 9 fact sheets about each of the 9 Common Council districts in the City of Buffalo. For each district, we explore resident demographics, community landmarks, household income, housing costs, and educational attainment data.
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Buffalo Common Council Districts: South District
Sarah Wooton, Alana Barrington Dye — Aug 1, 2020
The "Buffalo Common Council Districts" fact sheet series is a set of 9 fact sheets about each of the 9 Common Council districts in the City of Buffalo. For each district, we explore resident demographics, community landmarks, household income, housing costs, and educational attainment data.
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Buffalo Common Council Districts: University District
Sarah Wooton, Alana Barrington Dye — Aug 1, 2020
The "Buffalo Common Council Districts" fact sheet series is a set of 9 fact sheets about each of the 9 Common Council districts in the City of Buffalo. For each district, we explore resident demographics, community landmarks, household income, housing costs, and educational attainment data.
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Buffalo Common Council
Edward Hawthorne, Alana Barrington Dye, Schyler Norton, Akilesh Ramakrishna — Jul 28, 2020
This fact sheet was drafted by PPG interns Akilesh Ramakrishna, Alana Barrington Dye and Schyler Norton. It updates a 2009 version by Edward Hawthorne, a University at Buffalo School of Law student. It outlines the powers and responsibilities of the Buffalo Common Council and includes contact details and brief background information for the nine sitting council members. The fact sheet also lists the current committees and subcommittees of the Common Council, and where and when meetings are …
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The Eastside-Airport Metro Rail Extension
Citizens for Regional Transit — Aug 23, 2019
This policy brief provides information regarding the expansion of NFTA metro-rail services in east-side Buffalo to the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
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Census 2020: Making Western New York Count
Anna Blatto — Jun 10, 2019
This policy brief offers an overview of the 2020 Census: what it is and why it matters for Western New York.
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Women in Elected Office Challenges and Opportunities in Erie County
Erie County Commission on the Status of Women — Jul 26, 2018
"This report offers a snapshot of the political landscape in Erie County with a focus on women in elected office. Women comprise 52% of Erie County's total population , 49.5% of its labor force, and 53% of the county's registered voters. Women current comprise nearly 33% of elected government officials with men comprising nearly 68%."
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Venue Directory
Partnership for the Public Good — Jul 11, 2018
Community groups often need accessible, affordable spaces for events and meetings. This directory provides a list of event and meeting spaces sorted by size. Entries list the contact information and street address for each venue, as well as details on cost, catering, capacity, and parking.
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Cruelty and Cost: Money Bail in Buffalo
Andrea Ó Súilleabháin, Colleen Kristich — Apr 26, 2018
This policy report was drafted by Andrea Ó Súilleabháin, Deputy Director at PPG, and Colleen Kristich, Master of Social Work Candidate at the University at Buffalo.It presents new data on bail in Buffalo, including frequency of money bail, average amounts by level and type of offense, and racial disparities. This dataset is based on PPG's observation of 240 arraignment hearings from November 2017 to February 2018.The report includes several stories from Buffalo City Court, …
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Local Government Authority in Erie and Niagara County Website Report Card 2018
Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government — Mar 13, 2018
In February of 2018, the Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government evaluated the websites of fourteen local government Authorities in Erie and Niagara County The Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government is a nonpartisan charitable organization comprised of journalists, activists, attorneys, educators, news media organizations, and other concerned citizens who value open government and freedom of information. Mission Statement:Through education and civic engagement, the Buffalo Niagara …
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Local Government Municipality Website Report Card 2018
Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government — Mar 13, 2018
In 2017, the Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government evaluated the websites of sixteen municipalities in Erie and Niagara County. The Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government is a nonpartisan charitable organization comprised of journalists, activists, attorneys, educators, news media organizations, and other concerned citizens who value open government and freedom of information. Mission Statement:Through education and civic engagement, the Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open …
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Executive Sessions Studied in Alphabetical Order by Municipality
Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government — Feb 1, 2018
This reports out on the executive sessions in municipalities in 2017.
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Behind Closed Doors, Executive Sessions and the Public's Right to Know
Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government — Oct 2, 2017
The Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government evaluated the Annual Financial Disclosure Forms utilized by ten municipalities in Erie and Niagara County. The Disclosure Forms were ranked from best to worst based on criteria we established. The ten municipalities reviewed were: Cheektowaga, Erie County, Buffalo, Town of Hamburg, Niagara Falls, Town of Lancaster, Amherst, Town of Tonawanda, Clarence, Niagara County.
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Initiatives for a Smart Economy 2.0
Mark Poloncarz — Jun 30, 2017
Just like its predecessor, I4SE 2.0 is organized in a manner that focuses on those sectors of the local economy identified by WNYREDC as growth sectors. It identifies initiatives within those sectors where ErieCounty can make a meaningful contribution. These sectors include: advanced manufacturing, smart growth implementation, workforce development, agriculture, bi-national logistics, energy, and tourism.The report also identifies specific initiatives that Erie County will undertake in other …
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Freedom of Information Law Report 2017
Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government — May 17, 2017
The Buffalo Niagara Coalition for Open Government evaluated the response of a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to sixteen municipalities in Erie and Niagara County.
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A Planning Board for Erie County
Anthony Hilbert Apr 13, 2016
The Partnership for the Public Good (PPG) unites 212organizations working to build a better western New York. Each year, the partners vote on their top policy priorities for the coming year; these priorities become the PPG Community Agenda. The very first Community Agenda, formed in 2008, included a provision calling for a planning board in Erie County. Since that time, the reasons for a planning board have only become more compelling. There is a reason that every other …
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One Region Forward A New Way To Plan For Buffalo Niagara
University at Buffalo Regional Institute — Jul 20, 2015
This document represents the culmination of three years of research, community engagement, partnership building and planning under the banner of One Region Forward. Within the pages of this plan, you will find the major research findings of what the data tells us about where the region is today and expressions of thousands of citizen voices on the direction people in the region want to see Buffalo Niagara go. Proposed strategies and actions, built by a team of 100+ subject matter experts, are …
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Initiatives for a Smart Economy
Mark Poloncarz — Mar 14, 2013
"The concept of sustainability has gained a foothold in Western New York and previous brownfield sites. These efforts continue as New York State (“NYS”) Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”) and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) offer communities the opportunity to compete for tens of millions of redevelopment dollars for the presentation of a thorough, innovative, and collaborative sustainability plan for their …
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Reforming Buffalo's Tax Foreclosure Process
Jonathan Baird — Sep 30, 2011
The City of Buffalo holds an annual foreclosure auction to collect on delinquent taxes and fees owed by its residents. This is a way for the City to raise revenue that would otherwise go unpaid and for Buffalo citizens to buy buildings and lots at bargain prices. But the foreclosure process is imposing a high cost upon some of Buffalo’s most vulnerable citizens, creating an unnecessary burden on people trying to stay in their homes, and adding to the already existing epidemic …
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Buffalo, Amherst, and Erie County: Worlds Apart
Jonathan Baird Aug 31, 2011
Examines demographic, population, and economic markers between Buffalo, Amherst, and Erie County.
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Responding to New York's Budget Crisis
Sam Magavern — Feb 10, 2011
Wealthy individuals and big businesses have benefited dramatically from reduced taxes and increased subsidies, and they should make a fair contribution to resolving New York’s budget crisis. Taxes on the very wealthy and reduction of corporate welfare will do much more to reinvigorate the economy and restore fiscal health than drastic cuts in health and education spending.
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How local public administrators, nonprofit providers, and elected officials perceive impediments to fair housing in the suburbs: an analysis of Erie County, New York
Kelly Patterson, Robert Silverman — Jan 27, 2011
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The Buffalo Urban Development Corporation
Heather Anderson — Jun 9, 2010
The non-profit corporation is run by a Board of Directors, which consists of the members of the Corporation. The By-laws of the BUDC set forth how the members/directors are to be selected. Although the Officers may have salaries, at this time, none of the Officers are compensated for their services. The By-laws provide that there are to be eighteen members/directors of the corporation, and that the members/directors are to be elected or appointed.
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Erie County Sales Tax
Victoria Volk — May 4, 2009
The Erie County sales tax rate is 8.75%. It is a general sales and compensating use tax which is levied on all taxable retail sales in Erie County. Of the total 8.75% tax collected by the State of New York, 4% is retained as State revenue and 4.75% is returned to the County. The county tax base rate is 3%. However, Erie County has received authorization to add an additional 1% in 1985, and then an additional 0.75% in 2005-2006.
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Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Board
Victoria Volk — May 3, 2009
The Board consists of 15 members. The B&ECPL board is a volunteer position. There are however, some requirements an applicant must meet. Eight of the board members must be residents of the city of Buffalo. The Board members serve in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 768 of the Laws of the 1953 State of New York, known as “An Act authorizing the consolidation of city and public libraries.” The board members are also governed by Article 16 …
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Buffalo City Comptroller
Robert Sparks — May 3, 2009
Under the Buffalo Charter and Code, the Comptroller is the head of the Department of Audit and Control. The Department of Audit and Control is broken down into three divisions: Division of Audit, Division of Accounting, and Division of Investment and Debt Management. The Division of Audit is headed by the City Auditor; the Division of Accounting is headed by the City Accountant, and the Division of Investment and Debt Management is headed by the Investment and Debt Management …
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Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority
Scott Mancuso — May 3, 2009
The BFSA is a “corporate governmental agency” and an “instrumentality” of the State of New York. It is run by nine directors. Only one of these directors need be a citizen of the City of Buffalo. The governor designates two of the nine directors as “chairperson” and “vice-chairperson,” who preside over all meetings of the directors.
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Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
Marnie Smith — May 3, 2009
To assist our residents in attaining and maintaining a high standard for their quality of life. The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority will provide services and opportunities associated with affordable, desirable, and secure housing to individuals and families. We will provide customer service, programs and amenities which are the best possible. The BMHA also has a number of goals: to provide safe, clean, affordable housing to residents of the City of Buffalo that will be …
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Buffalo Sewer Authority
Eric Vogan — May 3, 2009
The Buffalo Sewer Authority is a public benefit corporation created by the New York State legislature in 1935 to clean wastewater before it is released into the environment. The BSA also maintains the storm drains for the City of Buffalo. The BSA serves the residents and businesses of the Buffalo area as well as some neighboring communities. Currently, around 98,000 Buffalo residents and nearly 400 businesses in the City of Buffalo are served by the BSA.
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Buffalo Water Authority
Amanda Schieber — May 3, 2009
The Buffalo Municipal Water Finance Authority Act governs the Water Board. In general, the Buffalo Water Authority is empowered to establish, fix, revise, change, collect, and enforce the payments of all fees, rates, rents, and other service charges for the use of the services furnished by the system. The Buffalo Water Authority is in charge of setting rates and of capital improvements to the system as a whole over $10,000. Some specific powers of the Water Board: terminate …
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Erie County Comptroller
Robert Coly — May 3, 2009
The Erie County Comptroller derives his or her authority from New York State County Law, Article 14. New York State has established a method for choosing a comptroller and a set of rules governing the comptroller’s duties. Erie County has chosen to elect a comptroller and defines the office’s authority in Article 19 of the Erie County Charter. Erie County’s comptroller will serve terms of four years, and should be elected from the county at large.
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Erie County Industrial Development Agency
Patrick Fitzsimmons — May 3, 2009
The ECIDA is a public benefit corporation created by the New York State Legislature for the purpose of attracting and retaining private sector business development in Erie County. That development creates local job opportunities and improves the overall economic environment for the people of Erie County.
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Erie County Legislature
Alicia Giglio — May 3, 2009
New York State County Law allows each county to designate a board of supervisors to supervise the county. However, if the county chooses, it may establish an elected county legislative body to take on the functions, powers, obligations and duties of the board of supervisors. In Erie County this elected legislative body is the Erie County Legislature. The Erie County Legislature serves all of the residents of Erie County. In order to equally represent all residents, the …
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Erie County Sewer Division and Sewer Districts
Nathan Kerstein — May 3, 2009
Each district is a self-supporting entity with the power to assess fees and levy local charges. New York state law gives nearly complete autonomy to the county to run their agencies. The specific agencies are empowered to assemble data relating to the water resources available in the county, number and location of wells, contaminants that are present in the supply of the water in the county, sewage collection and related issues that may arise. Erie County has made the decision …
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Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)
Michelle Liberty — May 3, 2009
NFTA provides transportation services in the Buffalo-Niagara region. It oversees the Metro Bus and Rail System, the NFTA Boat Harbor, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, and the Niagara Falls International Airport. NFTA is governed by a state law, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Act which created the Authority to further and improve transportation services within the Niagara Frontier.
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Office of the Erie County Executive
Janette Clarke — May 3, 2009
The County Executive also has the power to appoint citizens to serve on any one of thirty-six Volunteer Boards. These Boards often compile information in their respective areas and advise the County Legislature and County Executive. The Volunteer Boards include the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, the Council on the Disabled, the Fisheries Advisory, the Health Board, the Local Early Intervention Council, and the Youth Services Board, to name just a few. There are …
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The Mayor of Buffalo
Carrie Weremblewski — May 3, 2009
If the Mayor is temporarily unable to perform the duties of his office, the mayor’s designated officer whose appointment has been confirmed by the Common Council shall act as Mayor until the Mayor is able to. The designation must be in writing and filed with the city clerk. If the Mayor has not made such a designation, the president of the Common Council shall perform the Mayor’s duties until the Mayor is able to. If the office of Mayor is vacant (as a result of …
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County Planning Boards
Nathan Kerstein — May 2, 2009
The main focus of the board should be to implement the Framework for Regional Growth and to combat sprawl in the region. From 1980 to 2000 the developed area grew thirty-eight percent, even though population fell nearly six percent. It has been estimated by the county that better planned development could save $800 million.
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Erie County Property Taxes
Greg Michalek — May 2, 2009
It is a tax on the assessed value of real property. Typically set by school boards, town boards, village boards, and city and county governments. Applies to both homeowners and businesses, although rates and exemptions may differ. Each board determines the total amount of taxes it needs to raise, and then divides that number by the total taxable assessed value of the jurisdiction to determine the tax rate. Your share of the tax is calculated by multiplying the tax rate …
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Freedom of Information: Federal and New York State Laws
Janette Clarke — May 2, 2009
The initial Freedom of Information Act was created so that the public could have greater access to records possessed by federal government agencies. President Linden B. Johnson signed the Act into law on July 4, 1966 and it went into effect the next year. While this Act applies only to federal agencies, all of the states have created similar statutes which require disclosure by state and local government agencies.
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Municipal Unions
Edward Hawthorne — May 2, 2009
Erie County cannot hire part-time workers in place of full-time workers. An arbitrator from the state's Public Employees Relations Board ruled in favor of the Civilian Service Employees Association Local 815. The union filed an improper practice charge last year after County Executive Chris Collins hired about 150 regular part time workers. The arbitrator ruled that the county violated the state's Taylor Law when it failed to negotiate with the union before hiring part time workers …
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New York State Campaign Finance Laws
Patrick Fitzsimmons — May 2, 2009
Campaign finance laws govern how political candidates raise and spend monies for their elections. In general, there are three ways in which states regulate campaign finance: (1) disclosure, (2) contribution limits, and (3) public financing. Disclosure requires a candidate to disclose campaign-related contribution receipts as well as expenditures. Expenditures can include anything from advertising material to travel expenses. Contribution Limits restrict the amount of …
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Sustainability Offices for Local Governments
Robert Coly — May 2, 2009
The most widely recognized definition of sustainability is found in the 1987 Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development. It says that sustainability means “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency also provides a definition of sustainability. The EPA says that sustainability is “a new way of thinking about an …
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The Erie County Holding Center and Correctional Facility
Rachel Jones — May 2, 2009
The Erie County Holding Center is a maximum security detention center. The Center is used to house inmates before their trials. The Erie County Holding Center is located at 40 Delaware, Buffalo New York, 14202. The Erie County Correctional Facility is a medium security facility, which can house 1,070 inmates. It holds inmates who have committed a variety of different crimes. The Correction Facility also houses parole violators for the State of New York. These …
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Erie County's Budget
Eric Vogan — Apr 30, 2009
Citizens have two opportunities to influence the budget publically. The first is when the County Executive and the Director of Budget and Management hold their public meetings, and the second is when the County Legislature holds its public meeting. Citizens can also write to the County Executive and County Legislature to influence the budget. If during the year a department needs more money for a program, the Executive can appropriate funds from one part of a department to …
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The City of Buffalo Budget Fiscal Year 2008-2009
Harvey Asiedu-Akrofi — Apr 29, 2009
The City asserts that it has the ability to: afford three successive property tax cuts”, thereby reducing the overall property tax rate on residential properties by nearly 12%; maintain an unprecedented unreserved fund balance of $105 million with $76 million undesignated; set aside $30 million in City surplus funds and up to $15 million in a separate capital reserve to ensure the City never again faces a fiscal crisis; move the City from a fiscal control period to an advisory one; …
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City of Buffalo Property Tax
Victoria Schmidt — Apr 26, 2009
The property tax is essentially a tax placed on property owners by the municipality. Cities outside of New York City may use only revenue sources authorized by New York State, and the property tax is one of those few sources. The property tax is based on the value of the property. The tax is calculated by multiplying a property’s taxable assessment by the tax rate that applies to the tax jurisdiction where the property is located.
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Open Meetings Law
Alicia Giglio — Apr 26, 2009
By law, citizens have the right to attend meetings of public bodies, listen to the debates, and watch the decision-making process in action. These meetings are considered “open meetings.” Article seven of the New York State Public Officers Law is entitled, Open Meetings Law. This law lays out all of the requirements and exemptions for meetings held by public bodies. The Open Meetings Law went into effect in 1977.
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Buffalo Board of Parking
Elena Steigman — Apr 7, 2009
The mission of the Board of Parking (“BP”) is to relieve traffic congestion and to promote the clearance and reconstruction of substandard or unsanitary areas in Buffalo by coordinating City-owned and privately owned parking facilities and spaces strategically, environmentally and with minimal interference with Buffalo’s streetscapes, skyline and views. The Mayor appoints eleven members to the Board of Parking for staggered five-year terms. The Mayor designates the …
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Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority
Robert Goodwin — Dec 8, 2008
The Authority is an international entity, created out of an agreement between the State of New York, with the consent of the United States Congress, and the Canadian Government. The Authority’s mission is to be known as the premier Canada/US international border crossing. The Authority strives to provide excellent customer service and be an effective channel for trade and tourism between the two nations. The Authority governs the Peace Bridge. The …
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The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation
Michael Mettille — Dec 8, 2008
The ECHDC is currently developing the Inner and Outer Buffalo Harbor, most notably where the historic terminus of the Erie Canal is. The ECHDC is also developing some of the surrounding area including the old Memorial Auditorium and the Donovan State Building.
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Alternative Tax Strategies for Local Governments
Robert Coly — Nov 18, 2008
During the fiscal year 2004-05, New Yorker’s paid approximately $111 billion in state and local taxes. Of this total, local taxes accounted for 55% or $61 billion. Local tax revenues come mainly from the property tax and sales tax, which account for $34 billion and $10 billion, respectively. Taxes are important to development for two reasons. First, the tax burden on low and middle class families affects local citizen’s standard of life, access to affordable …
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Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau
Irene Pijuan — Nov 16, 2008
The CVB is currently drafting a five-year strategic plan that will guide its sales and marketing efforts on behalf of the local tourism industry. The plan, when complete, will serve to refine the CVB’s mission as a destination marketing organization and the official tourism promotion agency for Erie County. Focus groups have been conducted with a variety of partner organizations representing the hotel, restaurant, retail, attraction, sports, cultural and philanthropic …
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The Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency
Karen Andolina-Scott — Nov 16, 2008
BURA was created under New York State’s General Municipal Law Article 15-B §639. This statute directly states who should compose the board of BURA. It states that BURA shall be composed of the mayor of the city of Buffalo and eight other members including Buffalo’s president of the common council, chairman of the urban renewal committee of the common council, minority leader of the common council, corporation counsel, commissioner of urban renewal, commissioner of …
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Richardson Center Corporation
Gary Phillips — Nov 7, 2008
The mission of the RCC is to rehabilitate the Richardson Olmsted Complex, which is located in the City of Buffalo. Generally, the RCC ―envision[s] the rehabilitation of the National Historic Landmark H. H. Richardson Complex (the former Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane), comprised of the H. H. Richardson-designed buildings and Frederick Law Olmsted-designed grounds, to be the crowning jewel of a mixed-use, multi-purpose civic campus of public and private activities.‖ Additionally, the …
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NYSERDA: New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
Jenna Piasecki — Oct 3, 2008
There are four regional offices located in Albany, New York City, Buffalo, and West Valley. The major staff is broken into three subgroups. Energy Analysis has 21 staff members, most with the title of project manager. Energy Efficiency Services has 34 staff members at the main office, 5 in New York City, and 1 in Buffalo. The Residential Efficiency and Affordability Program staffs 29 employees at the main office, 4 in New York City, and 2 in Buffalo. The Research …
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Erie County Office of Economic Development
Louise Calixte — Oct 2, 2008
The OED has constant challenges in getting enough financial resources. Since there is no specific budget allocation, the OED must compete with other priorities of the Department of Planning and Economic Development. Another challenge that the OED faces is complicated ownership issues, specifically with brownfields. In order to remediate the sites, legal ownership issues have to be resolved. At times, this process is arduous and time consuming.
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Comptroller's Review of the Costs of Real Property Tax Assessment in Erie County
Mark Poloncarz — Mar 25, 2008
The New York State Office of Real Property Services (“NYSORPS”) has stated that “New York's property tax system is, arguably, the most complex and confusing in the country.” NYSORPS data show that there are 1,133 distinct assessing units in New York State, as contrasted with 59 in California. Only the State of Michigan has more assessing units than New York State. In Erie County, thirty (30) municipal governments consisting of cities, towns and villages …
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The Control Boards: Time for an Objective Review and Real Reforms
Mark Poloncarz Mar 18, 2008
Justifications for the Buffalo and Erie County control boards usually depend on two false premises: (i) the problem is “bloated” and “inefficient” city and county government; and (ii) the solution is to add another layer of government composed of non-elected, state-appointed officials. The typical commentary lumps all local elected officials together, ignoring large differences between different politicians and between the city and county. It ignores the big …
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Regionalism Revisited: The Effort to Streamline Governance in Buffalo and Erie County, New York
Craig Bucki — Jan 16, 2008
During the first half of the twentieth century, burgeoning grain transshipment trade and heavy manufacturing spurred the bustling economy of Buffalo, the eastern-most port on the shores of Lake Erie and the second-largest city in the State of New York. With the jobs that these industries provided came residents to occupy them. In the 1900 census, Buffalo ranked as the eighth-largest city in the United States, with a population of over 350,000. By 1950, Buffalo could claim over …
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City of Buffalo Living Wage Ordinance
City of Buffalo — Dec 31, 2007
The city awards many contracts to private firms to provide services to the public and to city government. Experience indicates that procurement by contract of services has all too often resulted in the payment by service contractors to their employees of wages at or slightly above the minimum required by federal and state minimum wage laws. Such minimal compensation tends to inhibit the quantity and quality of services rendered by such employees to the city and to the public. …
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Local Taxes in New York State: Easing the Burden
Wende A. Mix Dec 6, 2007
The months between the fall of 2007 and the adoption of New York State’s next annual budget in March 2008 are a critical juncture in the efforts to “fix Albany.” The process by which the next budget is prepared and debated, as well as the substantive decisions it embodies, are critical to the movement for political and fiscal reform in New York State. In order to promote fiscal reform, the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) is convening three separate agenda-setting …
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Local Advantage in a Global Era: Making Local Procurement Work for New York
Amy Kedron — Nov 13, 2007
Around the country municipalities have enacted local procurement preference laws, which give a competitive advantage to local firms bidding on public contracts. Much of this legislation has been informed by a broader “local first” movement. Those in this movement champion the many benefits of conducting business on a small local scale.
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Achieving a Greater Buffalo
Niagara River Greenway Commission Apr 1, 2007
This policy report argues that improving the quality of life for residents of all backgrounds living in Buffalo’s urban neighborhoods should be a central objective of any economic revitalization plan for the region. In the process of strengthening housing and employment opportunities in the urban core, Buffalo should strive to become a premiere destination for innovators, artists, and entrepreneurs seeking a low-cost, culturally vibrant place in which to live and work. The …
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Taxes in New York State: Restoring Fairness and Equity to the Personal Income Tax to Reverse Decades of Reliance on the Property Tax- Short and Long Term Solutions
Ron Deutsch — Dec 31, 2006
Governor Spitzer created a Property Tax Commission to examine the root causes of high property taxes in NYS.
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The Path Not Taken: How New York State has Increased the Tax Burden on the Middle Class and Cut Taxes for its Highest Income Taxpayers by over $8 Billion a Year
Frank Mauro — Jun 4, 2005
In 1972, New York State had a personal income tax with 14 brackets, ranging from a low of 2% to a high of 15%. Since that time the state government has significantly restructured the state personal income tax in a variety of ways. Among the changes that have been made since 1972 has been a move to something that is much closer to a flat tax. This has been done by eliminating brackets from both the bottom and the top of the old structure. For example, the lowest rate in …
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The Buffalo Financial Control Board
James Magavern — Nov 15, 2003
The current fiscal crisis of the City of Buffalo arises from and exemplifies the failure of state and local government over many decades to respond adequately to the shift of population, and especially the disproportionate shift of wealth, from the old central cities to the ever growing urban fringe beyond their boundaries. For example, the Town of Amherst, with a population of 110,000 now has a larger real property tax base than the City of Buffalo, with a population of 293,000. …
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Fundamental Shifts Have Altered the Role of Local Governments
James Magavern — Jan 30, 2001
In the day-to-day practice of law, the most pervasive change in municipal law has been ever-increasing specialization. This is attributable in small part to the continuing elaboration of common law doctrine and in larger part to a dense overlay of state and federal regulation (including regulation through grant conditions), not only of the private sector but of local government itself. For example, consider the State Environmental Quality Review Act, Taylor Law, and Freedom of …
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Governance in Erie County: A Foundation for Understanding and Action
Kathryn Foster, David C. Perry, Alfred D. Price, John B. Sheffer, II, Henry Louis Taylor, Jr. — Jan 26, 1996
Project Name: The University at Buffalo Governance Project The University at Buffalo Governance Project was an interdisciplinary research effort to study governance issues in Erie County. The Governance Project was founded upon the premise that a vigorous region requires competent, informed decision making, especially in the public sector.
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Integrity and Ethical Standards in New York State Government: Final Report to the Governor
Lou Jean Fleron, Lois Gray Jan 1, 1990
September 1990 letter from the New York State Commission on Government Integrity to Governor Mario M. Cuomo. “This letter constitutes the final report of the Commission on Government Integrity. The Commission was created by Executive Order 88.1 and directed to examine a wide variety of subjects concerning government integrity in New York State. Since its inception, the Commission has submitted 20 reports containing specific recommendations for reform of New York laws, …