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        April 5, 2001

Continuing To Rebuild Nassau Responsibly
Democratic Majority Agenda 2001

Part 1 - Democrats' 2001 Agenda Builds On Accomplishment
Part 3 - Comprehensive Report

The Democratic Majority's Agenda 2001 sets forth a series of initiatives that will advance its ultimate goal: to Continue to Rebuild Nassau County Responsibly. It is a vision for the future, based on the following principles: professional management of the budget and integrity in budgeting; fair labor agreements for both employees and management; the elimination of duplication of government services; the streamlining of inefficient bureaucracy; environmental protections; quality health care; and humane delivery of social services.

To realize the positive impact the Democratic delegation has had on rebuilding Nassau County since becoming the majority, we need only to reflect on the strides that have been made during the past year. Democratic legislators, who vowed not to settle for "business as usual" in Nassau County, but instead to become the architects of government reform, have taken an aggressive approach to rebuilding Nassau by making tough decisions and developing creative initiatives. We defined our legislative priorities heading into 2000. Those priorities are now promises fulfilled. As we move ahead, we must continue to build on the foundation we successfully established in 2000: a balanced budget; reduction in staffing and wasteful spending; elimination of employee perks; open and accessible government; an independent oversight board; tough monitoring of personal services contracts; a smart reassessment plan; human rights legislation; and village revenue sharing.

We now turn our focus to implementation of these initiatives in 2001 which are crucial to our effort to Continue to Rebuild Nassau Responsibly

2001 Initiatives
  • Budget Reform (Enable Department Transfers, Prohibit Impoundment of Funds)
  • Establish a Capital Budget and long-range Capital Plan
  • Phase-in of a partial contribution for Health Coverage beginning in 2002
  • Reform Traffic and Parking Violations Agency
  • Reform Tax Certiorari Process
  • Streamline Contract Process
  • Adopt Open Space Legislation
  • Consolidate Multi-Level Government Services
  • Medical Center / Health Clinics Improvements
  • Humanize Tenant Eviction Procedures
Budget Reform - During a period in which the country and county enjoy tremendous prosperity, Nassau County teetered on the brink of fiscal despair. To return Nassau to fiscal stability a formal budget process is needed to professionalize the way in which the County manages its finances.

Capital Budget and Capital Plan - Reform by charter referendum would establish a process by which to create and adopt a formal Capital Budget and long-range financial plan, subject to annual legislative approval, to undertake and finance all capital projects.

Consolidate Multi-Level Government Services - Making government more efficient and cost effective through the identification of duplicative services that exist among various levels of government, could save millions each year.

Health Insurance Contribution - The reality of Nassau County's fiscal crisis and the understanding that it is no longer business as usual, have reinforced the need to support an employee contribution for health insurance as labor contracts are renegotiated, beginning with the year 2002.

Reform Traffic and Parking Violations Agency - Problems within TPVA, from the administration of the agency to its outdated technology, and short staffing, have been well documented. The agency is desperate need of a revamping that would shift oversight responsibility, expedite operations, and result in increased revenues at a minimum cost to the County.

Reform Tax Certiorari Process - A cornerstone of the County's fiscal recovery is reform of real property assessment grievance procedures and the tax certiorari process. While the reassessment process, which has already begun, will help stem the flow of grievance claims, improvements in the way cases are filed, reviewed and settled are imperative.

Streamline Contract Process - Currently, it can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 10 months to execute and process a contract and up to 6 months for payment to be made to contract agencies and vendors for services rendered. Controls that added steps to the contract process, which were implemented on the heels of the County's health care fiasco, have become unwieldy. Cutting down the number of steps while building in actual controls will make the process more efficient.

Adopt Open Space Legislation - Recognizing that responsible government ensures responsible development and sensible planning, the majority has proposed Open Space and Parks Advisory Committee legislation to oversee preservation, facilitate purchases of undeveloped property and plan an overall strategy for Nassau County's open space. In addition, the legislation will provide for the enhancement of cultural sites and historic properties, thereby improving recreational opportunities.

Medical Center/Health Clinic Improvements - Across the board improvements are needed at Nassau University Medical Center and the community health clinics in order to make them part of a viable health care system. While NUMC has taken the first steps toward overcoming its financial difficulties, legislative monitoring and oversight of the board, administration, and satellite clinics is imperative.

Humanize Tenant Eviction Procedures - Nassau County lacks a balanced approach to tenant eviction that protects the legitimate property rights of landlords and the former tenants or homeowners. A procedure must be set in place to assure that the belongings of those persons who are evicted are not thrown out on the street.