Buffalo Criterion

Leg. David Dale and Council President James Pitts

 

The only opposition in Tuesday, January 8th vote in the county legislature to extending the county’s one percent sales tax came from newly sworn in legislator David Dale.(D-Buffalo). Dale replaced Greg Olma in the 5th district which comprises much of Cheektowaga, some of Lovejoy, and Broadway- Fillmore.

Dale opposed the extension on principle - since he feels there has been insufficient discussion in the legislature about sharing some of this money with at least Buffalo and Cheektowaga. Since Dale did not participate in the budget process for 2002, he felt it was "appropriate" for him to oppose the measure.

"I believe in being fiscally responsible," he said, "but I think what is needed is a discussion on the propriety of sharing this tax with the municipalities. What I voted against was the lack of discussion. I won’t vote to support a tax when I believe there are issues, critical issues that have yet to be addressed."

Clearly, Dale understood that as the sole voice opposing the passage of the resolution to extend the county sales tax, the tax was not in jeopardy; still he said he planned to bring the matter up again in the legislature.

The 2002 budget which was passed last year depends on projected revenues from the sales tax, a tax originally created about a dozen years ago as a temporary measure to solve budget deficiencies and one that requires annual renewal by the legislature. Over the years it has been a cash cow for the county and lately several city lawmakers such as Council president James Pitts and At Large member Charley Fisher have called upon the county to share revenues with Buffalo. To date the county has not only refused to consider sharing revenues but for all practical purposes has not been willing to even discuss it, or so says Dale.