Latest news with #MarkPoloncarz
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Poloncarz says proposed federal budget cuts could cost Erie County over $100M by 2028
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Proposed federal budget cuts and changes to Medicaid and SNAP could cost residents of Erie County hundreds of millions of dollars by 2028, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Friday. Erie County would be hit with a direct cost of $12.3 million next year and over $100 million annually by 2028 if the proposed changes become law, according to estimates by the Erie County Department of Social Services. Poloncarz said Erie County would have to pay ECMC to cover cut federal funds estimated at up to $50 million. Additionally, the county might have to pay for its portion of state SNAP cuts at around $84 million, among other costs. He said the proposed budget would target poor, elderly, sick, and hungry Americans above all. 'While the president is accepting a $400 million bribe from a foreign dictator he's simultaneously taking away critical programs and services that residents in communities nationwide, including Erie County, rely on to improve their everyday lives,' Poloncarz said. 'Now is the time to speak up against these injustices and I implore everyone to do so.' The tax break bill did not pass in the House Budget Committee on Friday, but the committee plans to reconvene on Sunday. Some right-wing lawmakers are reportedly calling for even steeper cuts to Medicaid before they vote in favor. Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz to deliver state of county address
Watch the address live in the video player above. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz will deliver his 2025 State of the County address on Wednesday. The speech is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m. at SUNY Erie's North Campus. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Erie County dismisses lawsuit against AmeriCorps over grant termination
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County announced Monday that it dismissed a lawsuit filed against AmeriCorps last month after the agency terminated a Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), which funded the placement of hundreds of senior volunteers in different positions across the county. AmeriCorps withdrew its requirements that Erie County said required it to 'not include any activities that promote DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] activities' in grants. According to county officials, AmeriCorps approved the grant in January 2024 through 2027, given the county complies with the original terms. The agency previously wanted to terminate the grant because of President Donald Trump's executive order to stop federal funding for programs related to DEI. RSVP funds seniors to be in volunteer positions across the county at food pantries, hospitals, schools, senior centers and the Meals on Wheels program. Erie County said over $1 million in wages was saved by these programs in 2024 because of the volunteer efforts. 'AmeriCorps' agreement to withdraw provisions requiring Erie County to certify it does not promote diversity, equity and inclusion is a win for our community and the rule of law,' Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said in a statement. 'The Trump Administration's attempt to change a legally binding grant contract in the middle of the term was unacceptable for many reasons, and why I authorized the county to file suit.' The Erie County Republican Committee previously called the lawsuit a 'politically motivated attack' on Trump and a 'waste of taxpayer money.' Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Niagara 8 group to discuss border trade amid tariffs
Leaders from eight municipalities along the Canadian border in the Western New York area will convene to discuss their 'deep concern' over the impact of tariffs imposed in recent months. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced Monday that he will join leaders from seven municipalities bordering lakes Erie and Ontario as part of what's being called the 'Niagara 8.' Included in the group with Erie County will be representatives from Niagara County and the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls on the U.S. side and the Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario, the City of Niagara Falls, Ontario; the Town of Fort Erie and the Town of Niagara-On-The Lake, Ontario in Canada. The group's purpose and mission were outlined in a letter signed by representatives of each municipality that acknowledges a collective need to better position the two sides as they navigate big economic changes that have happened since U.S. President Donald Trump took office and imposed substantial tariffs on Canadian goods. In response, Canadian officials have upped tariffs on U.S. goods. Poloncarz noted that $2.5 billion worth of goods, based on U.S. dollars, cross the border each day, with $6 billion in lumber and wood products for the U.S. homebuilding industry coming from Canada in 2024. He also said in a release from his office that 70% of all Canadian imports to the U.S. are used to manufacture other U.S.-made products. The numbers suggest both sides have a mutual stake in ensuring conditions remain favorable to continued trade and commerce. 'Western New York and Southern Ontario have a rich, interconnected history and we remain committed partners and neighbors, regardless of the climate in Washington or Ottawa,' Poloncarz said. Niagara Falls, Ont., Mayor Jim Diodati first spoke of reconvening the 'Niagara 10' last month. The group of elected officials from both sides of the border met for years to discuss issues of common interest but had not done so since the COVID-19 pandemic. Diodati indicated that leaders from both countries have shared interests when it comes to creating a welcoming environment for tourists. 'We have a great opportunity with the exchange rate right now,' he said. 'We could have a huge uptick in American visitation. We don't want them to not feel welcome anymore than we don't want to feel welcome when we visit our family and friends when we go to the U.S.' Niagara Falls, Ont., Councilor Mona Patel noted that Americans represent about 25% of the visitors in Ontario and 50% of the spending contribution and that any drop in visitation will impact the local economy. 'We welcome Americans in our city,' she said. 'We are pro-Canadians, but we are not anti-Americans either.'
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Over a third of $178M Erie County ARP funds going to sewers
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County touted its allocation of American Rescue Plan funds Friday morning, with nearly $64 million going towards sewer upgrades. Over $56 million of the sewerage investment has already been spent. Upgrades include the replacement and fixing of over sixty miles of collection system pipes and $22.7 million towards the Southtowns Advanced Wastewater Treatment facility. 'As I have said before, sewers are not sexy but they are essential and you want them to work,' said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. 'These upgrades are expensive but necessary and would have had to be completed in the next 5-10 years anyway, but at a much larger cost to the county were it not for the ARP funds.' The $178.4 million in ARP funds are being divided as follows: Division of Sewerage Management/Erie County Sewer Districts – $63.97M ErieNET Broadband Open Access Network – $34M Department of Public Works – $24.71M Affordable housing – $20M Parks, recreation, and forestry – $13.1M Infrastructure – $10.95M Economic and workforce development – $6.62M Health – $5.08M Improvements and maintenance will be coming to the Buffalo Convention Center and the Botanical Gardens, and a new roof is expected for SUNY Erie City Campus. Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
