Be an Educated Voter - Buffalo Niagara Partnership

Each year (because every year doesn't just seem like an election year; it is for some level of government that impacts our lives and businesses.), the Partnership, via our Government Affairs Committee, evaluates the political landscape to determine the business community's greatest opportunities to advance our priority issues; specific items which are part of the Partnership's overall objective to create a business environment that grows private investment and jobs.

At the Erie County level, there are two priority issues:
(1) Full dedication of "bed tax" revenues to the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) to support tourism marketing; and
(2) Adoption and implementation of the Framework for Regional Growth.

We are disappointed that the Erie County Legislature continues to stall dedication of the bed tax to the CVB. In our eyes, this is a "no brainer." On the other hand, we are pleased that the Legislature unanimously adopted the Framework for Regional Growth in April, and are looking to Erie County for leadership in having it implemented at the city, town and village levels.

With these two priority issues in the front of our minds and with this year's local elections only a month away, we are showcasing all Erie County candidates' support (or lack thereof) for these and related business development priorities two ways.

County Executive Candidates Forum: Next Wednesday, October 17, from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. (doors will open at 4 p.m., if you'd like to do some networking first), the Partnership will host its County Executive Candidates Forum at the Smith Theatre, which is directly across Main Street from the Partnership. Both candidates have confirmed their participation, and we look forward to hearing how Jim Keane and Chris Collins will address the business community's specific priorities come January 1 if they're elected.

Questionnaires and Scorecards: We have sent questionnaires to all Erie County Legislature candidates, and are making their responses available to Partnership members online. In addition, for Legislature incumbents, we've also created scorecards grading their activity on issues of importance to the business community. Check out your legislator's (and the challenger's, if applicable) questionnaire responses and scorecards on the Partnership's web site.

Through both the Candidates Forum and the Questionnaires/Scorecards we continue to raise awareness regarding what Erie County should (or shouldn't) do to create a competitive business marketplace. We also seek to ensure that when candidates assemble policy agendas, the business community's priorities are included.

I can't encourage you enough, before you vote on November 6, to inform yourself - be an educated voter! Attend the County Executive Candidates Forum (e-mail the Partnership's Government Affairs Manager Craig Turner to RSVP) and check the Partnership's web site to see how your legislator and his or her challenger rate when taking on the business community's priorities.