Downstate lawmaker dislikes Bills lease

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WIVB) - State lawmakers are fired up about who should foot the bill for Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Over $90 million for renovations will come from taxpayers here and across the state. Some state lawmakers aren't so sure they approve of the plan to use public money for improvement at the Ralph.

Assemblyman Steve Katz, a Republican from Westchester, said, "I'm very curious why you kept in the $60 million for Buffalo Bills stadium improvements and operating support?"

Katz bashed the team, all but dismissing the idea of keeping money for renovations in next year's budget.

"Honestly, no offense to my colleagues up in Buffalo, but why with us, with all the needs that our state needs, to be giving $60 million to billionaires," he questioned.

Katz told lawmakers the team is rich enough and should not be funded by state taxpayers.

"You're talking about, in this stadium in particular, you're talking about a handful of people who will go to this stadium eight days out of the year," Katz argued.

Under the new Bills lease, the Ralph is set to be renovated at a tune of $130 million. The Bills themselves would shell out $35 million. Erie County taxpayers are on the hook for $40 million, with local lawmakers already approving that plan. And NYS, if state lawmakers approve, would be responsible for about $55 million. The improvements at the stadium are, in part, aimed at keeping the Bills in Buffalo.

Assemblyman Herman Farrell, a Democrat from Manhattan, said, "I don't know how much money they're making, but there is a lot of question about where they could go and make more."

Farrell fired back during budget talks, explaining the Bills are the only true New York team and vital to the economics of the region.

"So we're working very hard to keep them," he said.

The new Bills lease expires after 10 years, but the team could leave the Ralph after seven years.

Meanwhile, the debate wages on in Albany over funding for renovations. The deadline for a state budget is April 1.