New York State Governor David Paterson announced today that he will veto Buffalo and Erie County control board legislation. The move is expected to have a major impact moving forward.
In Buffalo, the governor's veto will prevent the softening of the now "hard" Buffalo Control Board and stop a move to an advisory period. Had the measure been signed into law, it would have given mayor Byron Brown the ability to negotiate union contracts and give raises.
In Erie County the veto sends a strong message that the control board will likely borrow more than 50 million dollars for county improvement projects for Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Buffalo Zoo, and ECC. It would end a long standing stalemate. The control board says it can borrow cheaper. Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz and others saying any savings would be negated because the control board would be around for the life of the loan. It is a claim the control board denies.
A deal to borrow fell through a month ago when the legislature went around the control board to the state to ask permission to borrow. This is a developing story. 7 News will continue to update it as new information becomes available.
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