BUFFALO, N.Y. - Mark Poloncarz, the Democratic candidate for Erie County Comptroller, commented on the Erie County Legislature's passage of a revised four-year plan before the October 1 deadline set by the Erie County Fiscal Stability Authority. The 8 to 7 vote along party lines insures that the Fiscal Stability Authority will remain an advisory board and not revert to a "hard" control board.

"This is only the first step in restoring responsible government to Erie County," said Poloncarz. "Much work still remains to de done to come up with a viable four-year economic plan for Erie County. However, yesterday was a testament to the willingness of the Legislature's Democrats and Interim Comptroller to prevent a hard control board and potentially a default budget that could include a very large increase in county property tax rates."

Poloncarz believes that elected officials should be doing the job that they are elected for, not passing on the responsibility to an appointed authority. He believes the Fiscal Stability Authority should remain in an advisory role, assuming the Legislature can make the hard financial decisions to close the 2006 budget gap.

Poloncarz added, "If the Republicans are not part of the solution, then they have become part of the problem. Instead of offering an alternative plan, all they have done is criticize the county executive's and PFM's proposed four year plan, and the subsequent comptroller's and democratic majority's amendments. Instead of offering solutions, they call for a hard control board, thereby ceding control of Erie County to an appointed authority."

Poloncarz noted that the Republican's unwillingness to offer solutions to Erie County's budget problems extends to their candidate for Comptroller John Canavan, who himself has called for a "hard" control board. "If my opponent believes the only answer is to give up all authority to a hard control board, why is he even running for comptroller? We need elected officials who will lead during hard times, not sit back and avoid responsibility as my opponent has proposed be done. I pledge to the people of Erie County that on my watch, I will use the tools and powers of the Comptroller's Office to restore accountability, fiscal discipline and responsible government to Erie County, not pass the buck on to an appointed authority."

Poloncarz has a ten-point action plan for strengthening the Office of Comptroller that includes timely, proactive audits and performance and management audits of County government and its related entities, monthly reviews and analyses of county spending, and regular reporting on revenues. He is endorsed by the Democratic, Independence, Working Families and Save Jobs Parties. To view his action plan or get more information about his campaign, please visit www.markpoloncarz.com.