Says Collins’ Plan to Tax Way Out of Funding Crisis He Caused Creates More Government
Poloncarz Plan Restores Funding Slashed by Collins, Calls for Annual Economic Reviews
Erie County, NY—Today, candidate for Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz unveiled his plan to revitalize and restore the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System (the “Library System”) and highlighted a policy paper created by his campaign entitled “Libraries: An Economic Engine for Erie County,” which gives a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact of libraries across the county.
“One of Erie County’s greatest assets is our library system,” said Poloncarz. “Our libraries serve entrepreneurs and small businesses, community members and job seekers, families and the elderly. They are a staple in our community and the economic impact on our community from the libraries is immense and helps to expand our workforce and economy.”
Additionally, the report looks at the Library System in its current state, shows the faults of the Collins’ plan and explains why the Poloncarz plan to preserve and enhance the current system will have a greater economic impact on our local economy without placing further burden on the taxpayers of Erie County.
Collins, after announcing in his Four-Year Plan that he would continue to cut library funding down to just over $18 million a year (the lowest funding level since 1993), introduced an ill conceived plan to convert the Library System into a special taxing district.
Poloncarz added, “Erie County residents deserve better than the Chris Collins’ plan to create a new special taxing district with more administration, more costs, high salaries and new taxes – essentially another layer of government. I understand that our libraries create essential economic benefits and my plan intends to capitalize on them in order to grow our economy and support our residents.”
The Poloncarz Library Plan:
As county executive, unlike the incumbent, Poloncarz will continue to fund the library system at sustainable levels but he will demand that annual economic reviews of each library branch and the system are provided to the executive and legislature before any budget appropriations are approved.
Additionally, every four (4) years, Poloncarz will require an analysis be completed of the economic impact of each library branch and the system in total: a review that will examine cost savings to taxpayers and value added indicia to the community as a whole. Poloncarz will commence such a review during his first year in office as executive.
Poloncarz will also work to expand tourism opportunities for our community by highlighting the unique and valuable community assets of the Library System, like its collection of rare books and other valuable resources.