Home West Seneca Heroes Introduction The Study Findings / Conclusions Compare Us To Others Kevin's Proposed Solution Speaking Schedule Researchers' Narratives Local Government Sites Media / Commentary Join Our Cause About Kevin Gaughan Findings and Conclusions THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST TO TAXPAYERS FOR 439 ELECTED OFFICIALS IS $32,140,386. IN THE PAST DECADE, WE PAID OUR POLITICIANS AND THEIR STAFF OVER A QUARTER OF A BILLION DOLLARS ERIE COUNTY HAS AS MANY AS 10 TIMES THE NUMBER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS AS COMPARABLY-SIZED REGIONS IN AMERICA OUR EXCESSIVE COST OF POLITICIANS DERIVES FROM THE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE, NOT FROM ANY INDIVIDUAL SALARY BY RE-ALLOCATING JUST HALF OF WHAT WE SPENT ON POLITICIANS SINCE 1996, WE COULD HAVE DISMANTLED THE SKYWAY, RE-OPENED PUBLIC BEACHES, SAVED LIBRARIES, HIRED 200 MORE BUFFALO TEACHERS, REPAIRED THE MARTIN LUTHER KING PARK FOUNTAIN, AND CLEANED THE BLACK ROCK CHANNEL. OR SIMPLY REDUCED LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES. THE CONCENTRATION OF POLITICIANS IS HIGHEST IN THE SUBURBS IF BUFFALO HAD THE SAME RATIO OF CITIZENS TO LEGISLATORS AS THE SUBURBS, THERE WOULD BE 100 BUFALO COMMON COUNCIL MEMBERS IN SUBURBAN TOWNS AND VILLAGES, THE RATIO OF CITIZENS TO LEGISLATORS IS UNNECESSARY AND UNSUSTAINABLE