Yet another opportunity for Buffalonians to voice their opinions, albeit a little more complexity is involved then there was with the last opportunity. Assembly member Sam Hoyt will be hosting a public hearing this Friday, May 16, to review the 73 recommendations made by the New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness (LGEC).
The report by the LGEC was released in April and can be viewed here. The fifteen member board, which Hoyt is a member of, was created by executive order and conducted their review over a period of 12 months.
Their findings include several recommendations that will be advanced as state legislation. Some of the major recommendations are the centralization of several local government functions, encouraging the sharing of services and the consolidation of costly duplicative government services.
This is not the first time a public forum has been held and even local newspapers took part in helping the commission. This opportunity to speak will allow citizens to air their views concerning the findings of the commission, whether praise for what they found or criticism for what they may have missed.
Anyone wishing to present testimony at the public hearing is requested to contact Melanie O’Malley, Committee Assistant, Assembly Committee on Local Governments, Room 520-Capitol, Albany, NY 12248 or e-mail omallem@assembly.state.ny.us. Ten copies of any prepared testimony must be submitted at the hearing registration desk, and the committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements sent to the email above.
It may make it a little more difficult to give your opinion, but it's an opportunity nonetheless.
Friday, May 16
10:30AM
Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
One Lafayette Square