2011 County Budget Discussion with County Executive Astorino
Proposed 2011 Budget contains a 1 % decrease in tax levy while protecting neediest and maintaining essential services
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has submitted his proposed 2011 county budget to the Board of Legislators for their review. In his latest show County Legislator John Testa discusses the proposed budget with County Executive Astorino to highlight the spending reductions and other actions that enabled a proposed budget with a 1% cut in the tax levy.
“No one should be shocked or surprised that the County Executive would propose such a budget,” said County Legislator Testa. “He ran and was elected on the mandate to shrink county government, reduce the out-of-control spending and make Westchester more competitive to retain and create jobs.”
The budget, Astorino’s first as County Executive, is a thoughtful plan to accomplish the downsizing and control of spending by county government while also protecting the most vulnerable in our community. It reduces the workforce by 707 positions (12%) without affecting the essential services provided by the county and it establishes sound financial planning that will assist in long-term budgeting.
“The taxpayers are finally the focus in the development of a county budget,” commented Testa. “Because of the emphasis we have made on downsizing, County spending has been reduced by $150 million in just one year. This budget continues that focus and is based on realistic revenue projects and does not utilize the gimmicks used in the past that created the mess we are in today.”
It should also not be a surprise that the proposed budget is overwhelmingly supported across the county and particularly by the business community. Many organizations, including the Westchester County Association and The Business Council of Westchester, have publicly supported the budget proposed by County Executive Astorino. Those against the budget are basing their opposition mostly on misleading information supplied by advocacy groups and service providers who are merely looking to maintain their stranglehold on taxpayer dollars. In fact, those in need of services, whether it be mental health or childcare will continue to receive these services uninterrupted.
In this show John Testa discusses with Rob Astorino all the major changes the County Executive made while developing the 2011 Westchester County Budget and how taxpayer relief was accomplished, while also providing for the neediest of the county; leaving essential services intact and establishing a sound financial plan for the future.
The county has added a comprehensive “frequently asked questions” (FAQ) section to its website to help members of the public gain the facts regarding the proposed budget and to better understand the decisions that were made to create it. Visit the FAQ section at www.westchestergov.com/budget.
can be watched on Cablevision Public Access:
Peekskill/Cortlandt can watch on Channel 15 Thursdays at 9:30 PM
Yorktown can watch on Channel 74 Tuesdays at 9:00 PM
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