Sandra Tan
@sandratan.bsky.social
I'm a Buffalo News reporter in search of meaningful Erie County government stories that tell us something about the way we live. Proud member of the Buffalo Newspaper Guild. Also on X and Facebook.
Erie County owns or leases more than 1,200 vehicles and equipment that cost millions to fuel and maintain each year. But oversight of that system is "broken" and some vehicles were hard to track down, according to the latest Comptroller's Office audit.
Audit: Hundreds of Erie County-owned vehicles mismanaged under 'broken system'
Hundreds of cars in Erie County's fleet are unaccounted for and people are abusing the county's gasoline fueling system, according to the findings of a recent audit of take-home vehicles by Erie County.
buffalonews.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Erie County owns or leases more than 1,200 vehicles and equipment that cost millions to fuel and maintain each year. But oversight of that system is "broken" and some vehicles were hard to track down, according to the latest Comptroller's Office audit.
Yes, your Erie County Water Authority water rates are going up. Here's why and how to calculate exactly how much:
Erie County Water Authority raises rates another 8.25%, exceeding Buffalo's rates
The water rates for many suburban residents and commercial property owners are going up again, this time exceeding the effective water rates of other major cities and counties.
buffalonews.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Yes, your Erie County Water Authority water rates are going up. Here's why and how to calculate exactly how much:
Want a keepsake from the @BuffaloBills current Highmark Stadium? You'll get the chance to buy a piece of the stadium soon. Here's @buffalonews.com's exclusive first details on how that will work:
Want to own a piece of 'fandemonium'? You will get a chance soon
Want to bring home a memento from the current Buffalo Bills stadium before it's torn down? You'll soon get your chance, but be prepared to really open your wallet.
buffalonews.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Want a keepsake from the @BuffaloBills current Highmark Stadium? You'll get the chance to buy a piece of the stadium soon. Here's @buffalonews.com's exclusive first details on how that will work:
This $80 million judgment against Erie County is being called the biggest wrongful conviction judgment in the country. Appeals are in the works, but concerns linger about the county's growing set of prospective liabilities. Story with Dan Herbeck:
Estate of Buffalo 5 member Darryl Boyd awarded $80 million in wrongful conviction case
A federal jury in Rochester has awarded $80 million to the family of the late Darryl Boyd, a Buffalo man who spent 27 years in state prisons for a 1976 murder that he swore he did not commit. “From our research, this is the largest jury award for a wrongful conviction case in American history,” said attorney Joel B. Rudin.
buffalonews.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:53 PM
This $80 million judgment against Erie County is being called the biggest wrongful conviction judgment in the country. Appeals are in the works, but concerns linger about the county's growing set of prospective liabilities. Story with Dan Herbeck:
Getting Erie County elected leaders to vote to limit their own terms was always going to be a hard sell, but the campaign to get it done is officially dead. Here's how it all went down today:
Term limits for elected Erie County leaders are 'dead in the water'
Democratic Legislator John Bargnesi pushed for term limits for Erie County elected leaders for more than a year. In light of Thursday's vote, however, he's giving up.
buffalonews.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Getting Erie County elected leaders to vote to limit their own terms was always going to be a hard sell, but the campaign to get it done is officially dead. Here's how it all went down today:
Former Williamsville North High School student tapped to lead National Women's Hall of Fame.
Western New York native tapped to lead National Women's Hall of Fame
Buffalo native has been tapped to run a national Hall of Fame museum dedicated to honoring remarkable women.
buffalonews.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Former Williamsville North High School student tapped to lead National Women's Hall of Fame.
This is a case study in the politics of tax collection. Yes, it's one of those how-the-sausage-is-made stories, but it'll give you a lot more insight than your high school civics class.
No more 'collusion': Compromise reached after year of disagreement involving mortgage taxes in Erie County
After a year of disagreement, accusations and budget gaps involving the previously uninteresting "mortgage tax," Erie County Clerk Michael "Mickey" Kearns and the County Legislature have reached a compromise.
buffalonews.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This is a case study in the politics of tax collection. Yes, it's one of those how-the-sausage-is-made stories, but it'll give you a lot more insight than your high school civics class.
The annual "doom and gloom" letter analyzing the 2026 proposed Erie County budget is out. Here's how Comptroller Kevin Hardwick is breaking down both doom and gloom.
Hardwick presents 'gloomier and doomier' letter analyzing the 2026 proposed Erie County budget
Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick is raising concerns about the short-term and long-term implications of the 2026 county budget proposed by County Executive Mark Poloncarz, and criticizing the county spending more money than it receives in revenues.
buffalonews.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The annual "doom and gloom" letter analyzing the 2026 proposed Erie County budget is out. Here's how Comptroller Kevin Hardwick is breaking down both doom and gloom.
Even though there was a lot of support for the request by @markpoloncarz.bsky.social to release $1 million to @feedmorewny.org to help people who've suddenly lost food stamp benefits, it still took some wrangling to get approved. Story UPDATED with video.
The politics of food: How Erie County legislators finally approved $1 million for food pantries
Erie County legislators on Thursday voted to release $1 million in county money to distribute to area food banks in light of the federal government shutdown that has resulted in the suspension of food stamp benefits.
buffalonews.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Even though there was a lot of support for the request by @markpoloncarz.bsky.social to release $1 million to @feedmorewny.org to help people who've suddenly lost food stamp benefits, it still took some wrangling to get approved. Story UPDATED with video.
Have an Erie County issue to bring before County Legislature? Starting Thursday, for the first time, you'll get the chance to address the governing body directly. Here's how that will work.
For first time, anyone from the public who wants to speak before Erie County Legislature can
Starting with this week's Erie County Legislature meeting, the public will have the chance to address the Legislature on agenda items and other topics related to county business during public
buffalonews.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Have an Erie County issue to bring before County Legislature? Starting Thursday, for the first time, you'll get the chance to address the governing body directly. Here's how that will work.
For those who didn't live for the minute-by-minute results of Erie County government races, here's the recap. First, incumbent Kevin Hardwick is victorious in his bid for a second term as county comptroller: buffalonews.com/news...
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Hardwick wins the Erie County comptroller's race
Incumbent Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick handily won re-election to a second term Tuesday against Republican challenger Christine Czarnik.
buffalonews.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:05 PM
For those who didn't live for the minute-by-minute results of Erie County government races, here's the recap. First, incumbent Kevin Hardwick is victorious in his bid for a second term as county comptroller: buffalonews.com/news...
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Voting Tuesday? Here's what to know about Erie County races. First, all 11 Erie County Legislature seats are technically up for election this year, but only a few have real opponents. Here's what to know: buffalonews.com/news...
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Erie County Legislature races this year are for 1-year terms. Here are contests worth watching
For the first time, all Erie County Legislature races feature only one-year terms. Here's a look at who's running.
buffalonews.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Voting Tuesday? Here's what to know about Erie County races. First, all 11 Erie County Legislature seats are technically up for election this year, but only a few have real opponents. Here's what to know: buffalonews.com/news...
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Yesterday was full of highlights, lowlights and some yelling at the Erie County Legislature. Two stories worth reading if you haven't seen them yet. First, Sheriff John Garcia spends 2.5 hrs answering questions in the Granville case for the first time. buffalonews.com/news...
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Under barrage of questions, sheriff says Granville suffered from 'uncontrollable anxiety'
Under more than two hours of intense questioning before the Erie County Legislature, Sheriff John Garcia defended his actions in the Granville case, answered some long burning questions and said that nothing he or his office did was improper. "The Erie County Sheriff's Office covered up nothing," he said.
buffalonews.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Yesterday was full of highlights, lowlights and some yelling at the Erie County Legislature. Two stories worth reading if you haven't seen them yet. First, Sheriff John Garcia spends 2.5 hrs answering questions in the Granville case for the first time. buffalonews.com/news...
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Here's a quick video about why Erie County Sheriff John Garcia will finally be addressing the County Legislature today and answering questions about the Granville case. More to come in @buffalonews.com.
Sandra Tan on Sheriff John Garcia appearing before County Legislature
Erie County beat reporter Sandra Tan on the timing of Sheriff John Garcia's appearance before the Erie County Legislature.
buffalonews.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Here's a quick video about why Erie County Sheriff John Garcia will finally be addressing the County Legislature today and answering questions about the Granville case. More to come in @buffalonews.com.
Everything from an overdue Home Depot credit card to embezzlement audits is coming up in this race for Erie County Comptrolelr. Here's what Republican challenger Christine Czarnik and Democratic incumbent Kevin Hardwick are bringing to the table.
Erie County comptroller's race includes everything from a Home Depot credit card to a promise to forgo raises
The Erie County comptroller's race pits a scrappy Republican challenger against a seasoned elected official with big-time audits under his belt.
buffalonews.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Everything from an overdue Home Depot credit card to embezzlement audits is coming up in this race for Erie County Comptrolelr. Here's what Republican challenger Christine Czarnik and Democratic incumbent Kevin Hardwick are bringing to the table.
I actually had Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin describe this story as a "puff piece" for @markpoloncarz.bsky.social. He later said he didn't mean this story "in particular." No idea what to make of that.
Always double check those texts. Mark Poloncarz learned that the hard way, to GOP's delight
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz raised the ire of the GOP when text message expressing his desire to "stick it" to a Republican county executive was sent to the wrong person.
buffalonews.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I actually had Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin describe this story as a "puff piece" for @markpoloncarz.bsky.social. He later said he didn't mean this story "in particular." No idea what to make of that.
Here's how it Erie County Sheriff John Garcia agreed to speak with the Erie County Legislature regarding the Granville case after a lengthy silence.
After lengthy silence, Garcia to appear before the Legislature to address Granville case
Erie County Sheriff John Garcia has agreed to appear before the County Legislature on Thursday to answer questions in relation to the Daniel "D.J." Granville case.
buffalonews.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Here's how it Erie County Sheriff John Garcia agreed to speak with the Erie County Legislature regarding the Granville case after a lengthy silence.
So Erie County is getting its own designated luxury box in the new Buffalo Bills stadium. Who gets to use it? There's no policy now but legislators say there should be one. This story is corrected and updated:
Who will get to use the Erie County hospitality suite in the new Bills stadium? Legislators want a policy
Erie County legislators want to know what the rules will be when a new luxury suite is opened at the new Bills stadium for the county's own use.
buffalonews.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM
So Erie County is getting its own designated luxury box in the new Buffalo Bills stadium. Who gets to use it? There's no policy now but legislators say there should be one. This story is corrected and updated:
Erie County Executive @markpoloncarz.bsky.social submitted his 2026 budget proposal Wednesday. But he says the really tough financial planning will come in 2027 and 2028. His warnings for the future and others' reaction to his 2026 budget plan: buffalonews.com/news...
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Poloncarz predicts future county budgets of 'dead flowers and arsenic'
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said he anticipates huge deficits in the 2027 and 2028 budgets in light of proposed federal spending cuts and plans to build an expanded county jail in Alden.
buffalonews.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Erie County Executive @markpoloncarz.bsky.social submitted his 2026 budget proposal Wednesday. But he says the really tough financial planning will come in 2027 and 2028. His warnings for the future and others' reaction to his 2026 budget plan: buffalonews.com/news...
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The @ErieCountyNY proposed budget for 2026 is being formally unveiled now. But you can read all the highlights here. buffalonews.com/news/local/g...
What Poloncarz's proposed budget means for taxpayers, county jobs and support of the Bills
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz's proposed 2026 budget does have some attention grabbers, such the plan to borrow $20 million for a comprehensive design and engineering plan for a consolidated co...
buffalonews.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The @ErieCountyNY proposed budget for 2026 is being formally unveiled now. But you can read all the highlights here. buffalonews.com/news/local/g...
There are rules in place to protect taxpayer money when it comes to government purchases. One of them is the standard that purchasing and services contracts go to the "lowest responsible bidder." But that standard may be changing.
Erie County may no longer have to award work and purchasing contracts to 'lowest responsible bidder'
The traditional standard for government officials to buy anything is the "lowest responsible bidder." But that could be changing very soon in Erie County.
buffalonews.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
There are rules in place to protect taxpayer money when it comes to government purchases. One of them is the standard that purchasing and services contracts go to the "lowest responsible bidder." But that standard may be changing.
Why has it taken three years to complete one of the most expensive studies commissioned by the Erie County Legislature? Find out here.
Erie County legislators set aside $1M in 2021 for a disparity study. What happened to it?
Erie County set aside $1 million in 2021 to pay for a study to look at why there weren't more women- and minority-owned businesses getting county purchasing and service contracts. Four years since the study was first mentioned, county legislators still haven't seen it.
buffalonews.com
October 14, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Why has it taken three years to complete one of the most expensive studies commissioned by the Erie County Legislature? Find out here.
No criminal charges coming against Buffalo Police Department officers in the Granville case. UPDATED with comments from Sheriff Garcia and others. Story by @aaronbesecker@bsky.social
No charges for any Buffalo cops involved in D.J. Granville incident
None of the five Buffalo police officers tied to the investigation of Daniel "D.J." Granville's series of hit-and-run crashes in April 2024 will be criminally charged, Niagara County District Attorney
buffalonews.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:09 PM
No criminal charges coming against Buffalo Police Department officers in the Granville case. UPDATED with comments from Sheriff Garcia and others. Story by @aaronbesecker@bsky.social
Excellent reporting by @wgrztv.bsky.social
reporters. Defense lawyer says Erie County narcotics chief D.J. Granville planted evidence in a 2020 drug raid. Judge finds Granville violated search and seizure laws, refers to "staged photograph" from raid. www.wgrz.com/article/news...
reporters. Defense lawyer says Erie County narcotics chief D.J. Granville planted evidence in a 2020 drug raid. Judge finds Granville violated search and seizure laws, refers to "staged photograph" from raid. www.wgrz.com/article/news...
Sheriff’s top narcotics officer led unlawful Buffalo drug search, judge says
A high-profile drug raid on Buffalo’s East Side once made headlines for what police found. Now it’s making headlines for what they did.
www.wgrz.com
October 10, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Excellent reporting by @wgrztv.bsky.social
reporters. Defense lawyer says Erie County narcotics chief D.J. Granville planted evidence in a 2020 drug raid. Judge finds Granville violated search and seizure laws, refers to "staged photograph" from raid. www.wgrz.com/article/news...
reporters. Defense lawyer says Erie County narcotics chief D.J. Granville planted evidence in a 2020 drug raid. Judge finds Granville violated search and seizure laws, refers to "staged photograph" from raid. www.wgrz.com/article/news...
I don't normally write about Erie County Legislature actions that have virtually no impact on what is decided by Congress. But everyone knows and understands AM radio. And they notice when it goes missing.
The issue bringing local Republicans and Democrats together? AM radio
Is AM radio a missing feature in your new car? Erie County legislators are adding their voices to a chorus of federal officials in Congress demanding that AM radio return as a standard feature.
buffalonews.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I don't normally write about Erie County Legislature actions that have virtually no impact on what is decided by Congress. But everyone knows and understands AM radio. And they notice when it goes missing.