You Paid For It

Niagara Falls Council Chair Questions Overtime

You Paid For It: Mayor's Legal Bills

Though the amount remains to be determined, it appears Buffalo taxpayers will be paying to defend the Mayor in civil suit filed by a Cleveland based developer.

Niagara County Manager Defends Pay Hike For Clerk

County Clerk Wayne Jagow also believes he is deserving of raises which will start in  2013.

Theft By Ex-City Official Shocks Even Long Suspicious Lawmakers

Common Council President: "I thought he was a mean bureaucrat...but I didn't know he rose to the level of being a crook!"

INVESTIGATION: State Money "Withdrawn" From WNY

Some local groups, including non-profits and schools, learned the hard way that a promise made from Albany isn't necessarily a promise kept.

Who Pays for the Governor's Visit?

One of our viewers sent a questions to our tipline, asking about the governor's visit today.

Mistake at LaSalle Park Costs Taxpayers

An expansion project at LaSalle Waterfront Park in Niagara Falls has been on the drawing board for several years. Recently, one crucial mistake led to construction work at the park to be put on hold.

Health Care Controversy

Last month's flare up over free health care for members of the Niagara County Legislature still simmers.

You Paid For It: Robert Moses Parkway

Falls Mayor accuses NYS of disregarding public sentiment, possibly wasting millions of dollars, by making improvements to Robert Moses Parkway.

New York Can't Cork Its Pork

The taxpayers' dollars have been funding lawmakers' hometown projects as the state grappled with massive budget deficits that led to school-aid cuts, $450 million in concessions from public employees this year and reductions in social-service programs.

GPS for West Seneca Town Trucks?

The Town Board of West Seneca may be able to decide Monday, June 6th on the idea of installing GPS units in some town highway and sanitation trucks.

Pendleton Supervisor: NY Comptroller Should Get His Facts Straight

James Riester defends town's purchase of park land against Comptroller's assessment that it was a waste of taxpayer money.

New Fireboat For Buffalo ?

 You may see a new fireboat cruising the local waterways next year as part of the Buffalo Fire Department.

YOU PAID FOR IT: State Questions Land Purchase In Town of Pendleton

The land that was designed for soccer fields and "recreational use" is not only unused; 2 On Your Side couldn't even get to the property.

The Great State Veggie Debate: Lawmaker Priorities ?

 It may be just tongue in cheek but some state lawmakers have been busy pushing either sweet corn or the onion as the official state vegetable.

Falls Man Allegedly Collected Unemployment While Working For City

DPW worker accused of taking more than $3,000 in jobless benefits while still gainfully employed.

You Paid For It: Expensive Truck Sits Idle In Cold Weather

$175,000 "hot patch" truck only used in warmer months in Niagara Falls.

Buffalo School Board Members Vow To Do Better

Pledge for better scrutiny of expenses, after NYS Comptroller audit claims the city school district did a poor job of of keeping track of its multi million dollar investment in technology.

Buffalo City Schools Accused of Wasting Taxpayer Money

The Buffalo City School District wasted around $300,000 on software and services to track computers and other information technology equipment, according to an audit just released from the State Comptroller's Office.

You Paid For It: Congressman Lee Defends Cost of Brochures

Congressman who has railed against spending out of the gate this new year, with a new mailer costing taxpayers $52,000

No Moving-In Day For Konst In Wendt Beach Home

Erie County official Kathy Konst will not be moving in to a county owned home in Wendt Beach Park after all according to Legislator Thomas Loughren.

Federal Government Mandates Street Sign Change

Street signs in the area may look perfectly fine, but thanks to the federal government, the vast majority will have to come down.

Utility Proposes Rate Hike Despite Questionable Expenses by Executives

National Grid is asking the Public Service Commission to approve a nearly $400 million rate increase despite recent revelations that the company spent millions on lavish expenses for company executives.

DiNapoli Offers How-To Guide On Padding State Pensions

On the comptroller's website, under the heading "Maximizing Your Benefits," Thomas DiNapoli provides "tips" for government employees to pad their pension by stockpiling vacation and sick time, or working overtime and holidays.

You Paid for It: Dead Children Received State Aid

The state made more than $214,000 in improper payments to the adoptive parents of hard-to-place and handicapped children who had either died or were too old to receive aid, according to an audit released Thursday by the state Comptroller's office.

You Paid For It: Tracking the Stimulus Money

Based on information provided by the federal government, it appears the stimulus funding is not evenly spread out across New York State, when analyzed by population.

New Ads Aimed At Helping More Smokers Quit

A new series of television ads, described as being "hard hitting", are aimed at tapping the conscience of even the most ardent smokers.

You Paid For It: City Schools Bill Elections Board For Vote

After helping the Buffalo School Board with its May election, the County Board of Elections received a bill from the school district.

School Spending: Why NY Spends More Than Other States Per Student

Higher salaries for teachers and administrators, more rigorous curriculum, and mandates for special education are what education officials say add up to NY state's high cost per pupil average.

No Final Budget, No Pay For Lawmakers, But $1.2M For Per Diems

State lawmakers have yet to finish voting on a 2010-11 budget, and they've had $4 million in salary withheld until it's done.  But they have still received $1.2 million since April 1 for their daily expenses to come to Albany, records show.