Voters should be wary of the so-called “Taxpayer Protection Law.” This ill-conceived law would have the effect of turning Old County Hall into Tammany Hall. It is equal parts stupid and corrupt.

First, the stupid part. The law would give the Erie County Legislature the authority to cancel county contracts by a simple majority vote. Even though contractors would be paid for the work completed before the contract was cancelled, it will have a chilling effect on competition for county work. Who will want to compete for a county contract and pass on other non-county jobs knowing that the county contract can be cancelled at any time by a group of politicians in the legislature? The resulting lack of competition would actually cost taxpayers, rather than protect them. In addition, the few that do choose to compete will have to factor the risk of cancellation into their bids, further raising the cost.

Now, the corrupt part. If the law is approved by voters on November 3rd, county contractors can expect to get a steady stream of letters from county legislators soliciting donations to their campaign committees. Knowing that a simple majority of the legislature could cancel county contracts, many would feel no choice but to give thousands of dollars of “protection money” to the career politicians in the legislature. To do otherwise would risk their contracts. In addition, there is always the danger that the company that came in second in the process might donate heavily to legislators in an attempt to influence them to cancel the contract of the company that edged them out.

There are already too many stupid or corrupt laws on the books. Voters should not stand for another one. They should reject Proposition 1, the “Taxpayer Protection Law,” on Election Day.

[The Buffalo News calls the law "bogus" - click here to read the editorial]