Updated: Wednesday, 17 Jun 2009, 8:28 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 17 Jun 2009, 8:28 PM EDT
Michele McClintick
ALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB- After a week and a half of chaos and political tug-of-war, lawmakers are running out of time when it comes to hammering out a power agreement in Albany.
The Senate stalemate could jam up the cash flow for Erie County.
Yet again, Republicans went in for the daily session in Albany, but Democrats never showed.
Senator Mike Ranzenhofer said, "The outrageous thing is they're getting paid for this and they're not showing up for work."
If an agreement is not met soon, it could mean trouble for western New York and Erie County in particular. Lawmakers have not voted on any legislation since last Thursday.
Already we've heard that the New York Senate stalemate is having a huge impact on projects like the Buffalo Schools expansion. The $250 million dollar project is threatened because of the gridlock in the State Senate.
Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz said, "This is a mess."
And now, Poloncarz says that the sales tax revenue could take a hit of around $5 to $10 million dollars, "We could make it through 2009, but 2010 we'd have serious problems."
The point seven five percent addition that was incurred with the 2005 budget has to be extended once again. But it could be in jeopardy with this question of power.
Poloncarz said, "Thankfully, it was passed by the Senate just before it broke down, now the question is does any party have the power to forward it to the governor because they seem to be deadlocked."
Senator Dale Volker says it's time Democrats get to work, "Vote with us, and they can even argue on the floor, as long as we got the people that are ready to vote."
Senator Ranzenhofer says the Erie County sales tax extention bill should go to the governor for a signature, but if it doesn't it could drive up property taxes in the long run.
