March 11, 2009
By: Joyce Krysak

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Erie County officials say the state is contributing to a growing cash flow problem that is crippling road and bridge repair efforts.

Republican lawmakers Tuesday said the state owes the county seven million dollars. The money was promised for clean-up efforts after the 2006 October storm. But County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz said that the amount is actually $9.4 million. Poloncarz said the money still is sitting in the State Emergency Management Office. The comptroller said he is getting the run around from both SEMA and FEMA.

Poloncarz said he appealed directly to the head of SEMA and is waiting for a reply. Meanwhile, the county is short on cash and struggling to repair roads and bridges without a capital bond

The county and the state appointed fiscal stability authority have argued for two years over who should do the borrowing. John Mills is Minority Leader for the county legislature. Mills said the power-play is to blame for officials losing track of the SEMA reimbursement.

The minority caucus wants the legislature to put pressure on the state comptroller and the Governor to get the money released. Republicans say they will submit a resolution to the legislature Thursday. Mills said there is a lot riding on having the extra money for other crucial work.

"Like Kathy Konst in her district she has the Cemetary Road bridge which has a net underneath to catch the crumbling concrete," said Mills.

Poloncarz said some state officials have said the Federal Emergency Management Agency is responsible for the hold-up. Others tell him the state simply doesn't have the money.

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