The drama over how Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns will collect, distribute and keep mortgage tax money appears to be over – at least for now – after a year of disputes, accusations and negotiations.
Mortgage tax kerfuffle leads to accusations of 'collusion' and 'retaliation' at Erie County Legislature meeting
Dissatisfied with what he sees as unwarranted interference with his budget and office, Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns has refused to collect any mortgage tax revenue to offset mortgage processing costs, instead giving the money away to other local governments.

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