By Ryan Morden
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wrvo/local-wrvo-908677.mp3
Oswego, NY – A Proposal in the Onondaga County Legislature would reduce the size of the legislature from 19 members to nine.
Democrat Tom Buckel is backing the idea and says nine members can accomplish as much as 19 can.
"Our duties under the county charter - what we get paid for - are very, very limited," said Buckel.
He says those duties are to approve the budget, set policy and set local laws.
The county legislature could take up the proposal as soon as its July session and if it passes, it would then head to the ballot for voter approval.
Buckel says it would not marginalize people who live in rural communities.
"We have to, by law, create districts that are representative and meet the one person one vote principle," said Buckel.
The Onandaga County Legislature was created in the 1960s and was originally 24 members. In 2001, it was reduced to 19.