BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County lawmakers are discussing how the county’s luxury suite at the new Highmark Stadium will be used, focusing on being transparent with the community.

A proposed policy was on the agenda at the county’s finance and management committee meeting Thursday afternoon. The new policy suggests suite tickets be distributed through a lottery system to eligible non-profit organizations. Applications would be submitted online and further reviewed based on set criteria.

Officials said the policy is aimed at ensuring access to the suite is completely random, benefitting the general public rather than politicians.

“I think we cannot move forward, and I am not willing to vote for any policy unless there is an explicit statement that no elected officials will be in the suite, period,” Legislator Lindsay Lorigo said. “It is not appropriate. It is not gonna happen on my taxpayer’s dimes that I represent.”

Some legislators raised concerns about oversight and questioned the selection process for winners.

“I think whoever is in that suite, whoever received those tickets, their names or their entities should be posted,” Legislator John Bargnesi said. “I think that’s a fair way of doing it, and I think definitely tweak any chance of abuse.”

Legislator Taisha St. Jean Tard said she looks forward to amending the policy to ensure fair access.

“There’s some things in here that prevent abuse, but I think that all of us should come together and figure out what else we can add into it,” St. Jean Tard said. “I look forward to seeing what we can come up with together to make sure this policy is for the people, because at the end of the day, we pay for it.”

Leaders agreed that the county will not cover food, drinks or additional costs that come with using the suite. Additionally, alcohol will not be served.

For non-game events at the stadium, the county executive’s office said it will create a separate policy to establish how that suite is used.

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Gabriella Baiano has been a digital producer with WIVB since November 2025. View more of her work here.

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