WPCNR COUNTY CLARION-LEDGER. From Ed McCormick, Westchester County Department of Communications. January 20, 2010 (Edited): County Executive Robert P. Astorino today criticized the state budget proposed by Gov. Paterson, saying it would shift costs to local taxpayers instead of cutting state spending.
“The fiscal picture that the Governor portrays is not dissimilar to what we see on the county and municipal level: looming deficits and shrinking revenues,” said Astorino. “Unfortunately, Gov. Paterson’s plan is off target. More taxes are not the answer. He should be attacking spending, not shifting costs to counties, local governments and school districts. Our taxpayers can not bear this extra burden.”
Astorino added: “Costs for health care and retirement benefits – for all levels of government – continue to soar. And while the state has made an effort to address the pension issue for new employees, the only way to impact the bottom line of the budget is to cut costs, not pass on costs to our taxpayers.”
The county executive also expressed his strong opposition to the governor’s proposal to add a tax on soda with sugar, saying this would hurt both Purchase-based PepsiCo and Somers-based Pepsi Bottling Group, two of the region's largest employers.
“The focus needs to be on economic growth and job creation,” he said. “Increasing taxes will have just the opposite effect.”
The county’s budget department is currently undertaking an in-depth analysis of the proposed state budget.
What follows are some issues already apparent:
· The county anticipates a $3.6 million reduction in State Transportation Operating Assistance (STOA), which offsets the Bee-Line operating expenses; and $240,000 less for the cost of the county’s parkway patrols.
· Preliminary analysis also shows a proposed reduction of $800,000 in state aid for the Health Department’s Children with Special Needs program and $1.5 million in other possible health department cuts. (In the case of the Children with Special Needs program, there would be some new revenue by charging fees to parents.)
· The budget cuts aid to local government and school districts, thereby placing additional pressure on the local tax levy for the residents of Westchester County.
Astorino applauded some of Gov. Paterson’s initiatives and encouraged lawmakers in Albany to support their final adoption. They included:
· The proposal to repeal Wicks Law, which will help in containing the cost of capital projects for school districts
· The proposal to enable local governments to hold reverse auctions, in which vendors bid against each other for lower prices
· The proposal to limit county expenses for preschool education
· The proposal to provide rate relief to the New York State Health Insurance program by limiting premiums paid by local governments
· The proposal to allow judges to replace personal appearances by defendants by using video conferences when the circumstances are appropriate
· The proposals to allow shared justice court facilities, and directors of weights and measures.
