Legislator pushes for plan to have Bills stadium deal benefit community

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WHEC) — The chairwoman for the Erie County Legislature says the $1.4 billion dollar plan for a new Bills stadium needs to include a plan to benefit the county’s disadvantaged communities.

According to our Buffalo affiliate, April Baskin weighed in on the debate for the first time on Saturday. She says any deal that costs the state and county hundreds of millions of dollars should include benefits for the disadvantaged.

"It’s all about making sure that there is a carve-out for this type of investment to truly, truly benefit the masses, not just a select few," Baskin said Saturday prior to her annual address on the state of her 2nd Legislative District.

She’s urging for a Community Benefit Agreement as part of any deal.

That agreement would include hiring targets for minorities during and after the construction. She also wants it to include youth sports programs, money for affordable housing, and expanded small business assistance.