BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) \u2014 Erie County lawmakers are discussing how the county\u2019s luxury suite at the new Highmark Stadium will be used, focusing on being transparent with the community.<\/p>\n
A proposed policy was on the agenda at the county\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Officials said the policy is aimed at ensuring access to the suite is completely random, benefitting the general public rather than politicians.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Legislator Lindsay Lorigo said. \u201cIt is not appropriate. It is not gonna happen on my taxpayer\u2019s dimes that I represent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some legislators raised concerns about oversight and questioned the selection process for winners.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think whoever is in that suite, whoever received those tickets, their names or their entities should be posted,\u201d Legislator John Bargnesi said. \u201cI think that\u2019s a fair way of doing it, and I think definitely tweak any chance of abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n
Legislator Taisha St. Jean Tard said she looks forward to amending the policy to ensure fair access.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s 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,\u201d St. Jean Tard said. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For non-game events at the stadium, the county executive\u2019s office said it will create a separate policy to establish how that suite is used.<\/p>\n
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Gabriella Baiano has been a digital producer with WIVB since November 2025. View more of her work here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n