Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Erie County lawmakers have a $45 Million surplus to discuss Thursday. There are two very different sides as to how to handle that money.
About $31 Million of the surplus has already been committed to ECMC. County Executive Mark Poloncarz wants to use at least $5 Million for previously committed funding for the expansion of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery.
Legislature Minority Leader Joe Lorigo told WBEN that he sees plenty of other options.
"In a best case scenario, we should find a way to give that money back to the taxpayers," said Lorigo. "I know from having discussions with my colleagues from across the aisle, they are not in favor of doing that."
Meanwhile, Majority Leader April Baskin said she has no objection to spending some of that money on the Albright Knox Art Gallery, which recenlty received $52 million.
Baskin said as long as she sees issues like public safety and poverty addressed with the surplus, she'll be happy.




