Published: September 01, 2008 11:29 pm         

NIAGARA COUNTY: Lawmakers eye reducing their ranks

Any actual movement will have to wait until sometime after 2010, but some Niagara County lawmakers believe the time has come to at least start talking about reducing the Legislature’s ranks.

Lawmakers John Ceretto, R-Lewiston, Gerald Farnham, R-Lockport and Dan Sklarski, D-Town of Niagara, are expected today to present a resolution that calls for the Legislature to support a plan to reduce its own membership once the 2010 Census has been completed.

The proposal, which will most likely be referred to the Legislature’s Administration Committee, recommends the Legislature’s roster be trimmed from its current size of 19 to 11, although the specific number will be decided based on future census numbers, redistricting and input from lawmakers themselves.

Ceretto said the resolution is intended to spur debate over how best to approach downsizing so that the Legislature is prepared to do what it needs to do when the time comes. With 21 municipal governments including the county serving a population of less than 220,000, Ceretto said he believes residents would be better served by reducing the number of elected leaders in the county and, perhaps, at other levels as well.

“The county has been moving in a direction to reduce government,” Ceretto said. “As legislators, we need to take the first step. We have to be the leaders. We have to set the example.”

Sixteen of the county’s 19 lawmakers earn $15,075 per year. Legislators in leadership positions earn a bit more. Majority Leader Richard Updegrove, R-Lockport, and Minority Leader Dennis Virtuoso, D-Niagara Falls, earn $15,575. while Legislature Chairman William Ross, C-Wheatfield, is paid $18,075 per year.

Sklarski said the resolution, while stopping short of binding the Legislature to any specific reduction in size, does provide a “benchmark” from which county lawmakers can work as they discuss the issue moving forward. Sklarski said he believes 11 lawmakers is an appropriate number for the county, but expects a lot of debate on the issue before any final decision is made. As for the concept of downsizing in general, Sklarski said he believes it will receive unanimous support.

“I would be shocked if anybody voted against it because I think you have to lead by example,” Sklarski said. “By example, you have to be willing to reduce your own ranks.”

Contact reporter Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250.