Walter rolls out plan for Erie County’s poorest neighborhood

Republican Erie County Executive candidate Ray Walter introduced a proposal on Tuesday that he says will spur investment in Erie County’s struggling neighborhoods, something Walter asserts has not happened under the leadership of his opponent, incumbent Democrat Mark Poloncarz.

“The state has made a historic investment in the city of Buffalo,” Walter said. “But too many of the areas of the city and the county have been forgotten.”

The Assemblyman stood in front of Buffalo’s Central Terminal, a long-defunct and dilapidated train station in the city’s East Side, to announce his Growth and Opportunity Zone proposal. It would freeze property tax assessments for a decade, excuse sales tax on materials for property repair and introduce a blanket policy with the Erie County Industrial Development Agency that would see all projects approved in designated zones, which would include any U.S. Census tract with a poverty rate higher than 36 percent.

Walter said that by incentivizing investment in areas with high levels of poverty he would help to spread money into the areas of the county that need it most. While some parts of downtown, which are inherently attractive to investors, have seen the bulk of the funding from the Buffalo Billion and other state programs, the communities with the most need continue to suffer from blight and disinvestment, Walter said. 

“We could have the greatest medical campus in the world, we could have the most beautiful Canalside,” he said. “But, when you have neighborhoods and tracts of land and communities that are hurting and struggling then we’ve failed as leaders in this community.”

Walter would likely have a tough time getting this plan passed through the state Legislature because under his plan the state would have to give up its portion of the potential tax revenue. But the Assembly believes he could convince the local delegation of state lawmakers to get on board. He argues that investment in the most needy areas will spur larger growth and ultimately lead to increased tax revenue. Walter noted that the state currently adopts a similar strategy with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's Start-Up NY program, where growth only occurs in exchange for large investment and subsidies.

“We can’t let state laws and other barriers stand in our way,” Walter said. “You have to be a leader. Somebody has to stand up and say this is what needs to be done. If we have to take that argument to Albany then we take that argument to Albany.” 

Walter again described Poloncarz - who has said he is proud of his record and happy to present it to voters - as a spectator county executive, a theme throughout the underdog’s campaign.

The former county legislator is at a sizable fundraising disadvantage.

While the Erie County GOP has committed to financially backing Walter he has just $60,185 on hand, spending $22,960 since the last filing with the state Board of Elections in July. Poloncarz’s campaign had expenses of $166,091 in the same time period and reports having $573,070 on hand.

In addition, while Walter is popular in his home district, he lacks the kind of name recognition that comes with holding a high-profile county office. That’s why he’s eager to get in front of Erie County voters, and he’ll have his first opportunity to share a stage with the incumbent in about a week when the two square off in a debate.

“I think a lot of it’s just going to be introducing myself to people in Erie County who don’t know me yet,” Walter said.

Poloncarz had an announcement of his own on Tuesday. In a press release, he declared that he has been endorsed by the Women’s Equality Party and will run on the line, in addition to the Democratic line, in the November election.

“I am honored to accept the endorsement of the Women’s Equality Party and will continue to work hard to ensure that women’s rights are recognized and respected across Erie County,” Poloncarz said. 

“I am proud to run with other strong candidates like Kelly Brinkworth for Erie County Family Court and Diane Benczkowski for Cheektowaga Supervisor on the Women’s Equality Party line. Women are vital to the success of our economy, our community and our region," he said. "I will always speak strongly for their rights and support their full participation in our business community."