raise the sales tax in a "green budget" of $1 billion, a modified plan was adopted which laid off 2,000 county employees and closed many county services, including the Parks Department. In 2005, a Control Board was implemented by the state to monitor county finances. This, coupled with an investigation into patronage positions, led to Giambra's announcement that he would not seek reelection in 2007. In April 2006, Giambra said that the "War on Drugs" was being lost and models used successfully in other countries of decriminalizing certain drugs and thus reducing violence associated with the illegal drug trade needed to be examined. The Buffalo News published an Op-Ed agreeing with Giambra's statements that drug legalization should be studied further. Since 2012, Giambra has been the co-host of the political debate program 2 Sides on WGRZ. In 2018, Giambra announced he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor of New York Giambra described himself as a "socially moderate" Republican, a supporter of campaign finance reform, and an opponent of corporate welfare. Conservative Party Chairman Michael R. Long "flatly reject[ed] Giambra who...[has made] significant donations to [Democrats such as] [Gov. Andrew] Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Clinton [and supports] abortion rights, same sex marriage, gun control and marijuana legalization." After failing to generate support from Republicans, Giambra withdrew his name as a Republican candidate on March 1 and instead sought the nomination of the Reform Party of New York State. Giambra later asserted that the Conservative Party was "an albatross...around the neck of the Republican Party." After the Reform Party deadlocked between Giambra and presumptive Republican nominee Marc Molinaro in its first attempt at nominating a candidate, delegates at the Reform Party state convention nominated Molinaro for governor on May 19, 2018. On July 6, 2022, Giambra announced via Twitter that he was leaving the Republican party, stating "Friends and supporters: After careful thought and consideration, I have decided that I can no longer remain a Republican or continue with my campaign to seek the Republican nomination for Senator in the 61st District. I cannot stand with party leaders who double down in their support of the NRA after yet another mass shooting; who applaud the decision to take away a woman's right to choose & who encourage the elimination of LGBTQ rights; & who still believe