$100 PER HOME TO KEEP BILLS IN TOWN? RESIDENTS SAY NO THANKS

          In a poll conducted by Amherst, NY-based Goldhaber
     Research Associates, 75% of Erie County, NY, residents
     surveyed said "they would not support a new lease agreement
     with the Bills if it forced a property tax increase of $100
     per household," according to Scott Thomas of BUSINESS FIRST
     of Buffalo.  Nineteen percent were in favor of the
     "hypothetical deal, which would cost each household $8.33 a
     month" and 6% were not sure.  The phone survey of 600 Erie
     County residents, commissioned by Business First, was
     conducted from July 10-16 and has a margin of error of +/-
     4%.  No demographic group offered majority support for the
     hypothetical tax hike; in fact, the only demographic groups
     to give "even 25 percent backing" were students (35%), 18-
     to-25-year-olds (33%) and those with household incomes of
     $50,000 or more (28%).  Support levels for a property tax
     increase by other demographic categories: Male (21%), female
     (16%); homeowners (18%), renters (20%); Buffalo residents
     (15%), residents from the rest of Erie County (20%).  In a
     second scenario in which a new lease for the Bills required
     a property tax increase of $500 per household, 90% were
     opposed, 3% were in favor and 7% were unsure (BUSINESS FIRST
     of Buffalo, 7/28 issue).