He said the only people "playing politics" with the tax increase are council members such as Jenny Wilson and Joe Hatch. They have both made public statements that most of the funding must be used for transit, specifically for a TRAX line to the airport.

"Why is that fair? Why is nobody questioning them on playing politics with this?" Curtis said. "How come they are not held to the same standard that we are?"

Hatch said Tuesday that he was surprised by Curtis' remarks.

"At some point in time, the Legislature will have to say, 'We've gone too far,' or what they are doing becomes a sham," he said. "At some point, people will begin to have the same skepticism that I have."

But his Republican colleague on the council, Cort Ashton, said he is "confident and hopeful the Legislature will help move this along."

Likewise, Sen. Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, said that he would probably ask county leaders some clarifying questions during today's Executive Appropriations meeting. But he added, "I don't foresee that they'll be walking out of there empty-handed."

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m. in room W135 in the House Building of the state Capitol complex.

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