|
|
|
The Monroe County Democratic caucus is calling for a reduction in the size of the county Legislature.
At a press conference on Thursday, Democratic leaders announced a proposal to reduce the number of legislators nearly in half. The proposal calls for the current number, 29, be reduced to 15.
"This is an opportune time for us to address the size of the county legislature, said Minority Leader Harry Bronson, D-Rochester, Brighton, Henrietta.
The proposal does not call for specifics of redistricting or realigning legislators, but would leave that up to the county charter committee, which will draw the redistricting lines after 2010 Census results are released.
The reduction would be required to go to a public referendum, meaning voters would ultimately decide the fate of the legislation.
Democrats said the legislation would save taxpayers about $1 million every two years.
"The Democrats are sounding like they want to save taxpayers money," said Majority Leader Dan Quatro, R-Webster. "This is a thinly veiled attempt to gain control of the county legislature."
Quatro added that the legislature would merely lose more Republicans than Democrats under this proposal.
In 2010, each county legislator, not including majority and minority leaders or the president and vice president, is slated to earn $18,000.
County legislators have two-year terms. Every legislator will face re-election in 2011.
Currently, Republicans hold a a 16-to-13 majority over Democrats in the Legislature.
"It's premature to even talk about what the lines are going to look like," said Quatro referring to the redistricting process in 2011.
Democrats pointed to several other counties in New York with populations similar to Monroe County, but smaller legislatures.
The Erie County Legislature, which includes the city of Buffalo, has 15 members. That number was recently lowered in 2004 from 17 to reflect the population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 909,845 people live in Erie County.
"It would merely make us comparable to the other counties," said Paul Haney, D-Rochester.
Monroe County's population is smaller, at 732,762, as last figured by the Census Bureau in July 2008, but the Legislature includes 29 representatives.
The Democrat's proposal could go to a referendum this year. If voters approve the proposal, it would go into effect in 2012.
The Monroe County Democratic caucus is calling for a reduction in the size of the county Legislature.
At a press conference on Thursday, Democratic leaders announced a proposal to reduce the number of legislators nearly in half. The proposal calls for the current number, 29, be reduced to 15.
"This is an opportune time for us to address the size of the county legislature, said Minority Leader Harry Bronson, D-Rochester, Brighton, Henrietta.
The proposal does not call for specifics of redistricting or realigning legislators, but would leave that up to the county charter committee, which will draw the redistricting lines after 2010 Census results are released.
The reduction would be required to go to a public referendum, meaning voters would ultimately decide the fate of the legislation.
Democrats said the legislation would save taxpayers about $1 million every two years.
"The Democrats are sounding like they want to save taxpayers money," said Majority Leader Dan Quatro, R-Webster. "This is a thinly veiled attempt to gain control of the county legislature."
Quatro added that the legislature would merely lose more Republicans than Democrats under this proposal.
In 2010, each county legislator, not including majority and minority leaders or the president and vice president, is slated to earn $18,000.
County legislators have two-year terms. Every legislator will face re-election in 2011.
Currently, Republicans hold a a 16-to-13 majority over Democrats in the Legislature.
"It's premature to even talk about what the lines are going to look like," said Quatro referring to the redistricting process in 2011.
Democrats pointed to several other counties in New York with populations similar to Monroe County, but smaller legislatures.
The Erie County Legislature, which includes the city of Buffalo, has 15 members. That number was recently lowered in 2004 from 17 to reflect the population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 909,845 people live in Erie County.
"It would merely make us comparable to the other counties," said Paul Haney, D-Rochester.
Monroe County's population is smaller, at 732,762, as last figured by the Census Bureau in July 2008, but the Legislature includes 29 representatives.
The Democrat's proposal could go to a referendum this year. If voters approve the proposal, it would go into effect in 2012.
