By Michael Mroziak
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-957997.mp3
Buffalo, NY – Erie County Executive Chris Collins admits he gets criticized for his decisions, but says spending the county's multi-million dollar budget surplus on capital improvements means the county is actually spending cash instead of borrowing to address its needs.
That was just one of several topics Collins discussed in his State of the County address delivered Wednesday morning in South Buffalo.
Collins says while the county has taken great steps to reform its finances it still faces the burden created by Medicaid obligations.
Collins also called on the county legislature to support renewal of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency's tax-exempt financing program to stimulate not-for-profit business growth. The program expired last year.
You can click the above audio to hear the entire address.