By Anthea Passmore
Buffalo, NY – Republican candidates running for the Erie County Legislature renewed their call yesterday for reform.
A resolution submitted this summer by Legislator Barry Weinstein calls for a reduction in the Legislature from 15 to 9 members. The Republicans say such a move would reduce the cost of running the Legislature by 40 percent.
Bruce Kaiser, who is running for the 10th legislative district seat, said majority Democrats are refusing to consider it. He claims voters want smaller government.
"The people that are representing (voters) now are standing in the way," Kaiser said. "Why? Because change is difficult. Change hurts. Change affects each and every one of them personally."
Any proposal to reduce the size of the county Legislature would need the approval of voters in a public referendum.