Elected officials are in union pockets

[Unregistered]

The State Legislature's vote to override Gov. George Pataki's veto of budget tax increases and its arrogant refusal to consider spending cuts are an insult to the taxpayers of this state. Day after day, I hear taxpayers venting their frustrations on radio talk shows and read their letters written to editors of local papers.
Since the Legislature is in the pocket of unions and lobbyists, I propose a taxpayer union - volunteers of diverse backgrounds to monitor elected officials and follow their voting records. Members would pay tax-exempt dues to fund media publicity, mailings and other means of getting messages to elected officials and the public. The taxpayer union would be allowed time equal to lobbying groups to present alternative issues before the State and County Legislatures and local boards.

I would gladly go to Albany, Buffalo or local board meetings as a dues-paying, card-carrying taxpayer union member. Elected officials need to be accountable to their real bosses.

MARY KLESS
Lancaster

www.buffalo.com

[Unregistered]

That is why all municipal and school budgets should be voted on by the taxpayer.

The taxpayer should have superior authority to any state mandate or arbitrator!

[Unregistered]

SO how do the people of WNY take back control of hte city and turn these issues into residents voting? Is this something a petition could change? or is this something the power that be do not want changed seeing they would lose too much control?