October 30, 2008
Legislator Muscarella Proposed Amendments to
County Executive’s 2009 Budget
Voted “NO” to a Property Tax Increase
Nassau County Legislator Vincent Muscarella and 8 other legislators of the Nassau County Legislature called on Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi to trim his $3.1 Billion proposed 2009 Budget. The legislators wanted to eliminate his proposed 3.9% property tax increase, make good on promises to add detectives to fight the surging heroin and gang problems, and to maintain funding for vital youth programs.
Times are tough in Nassau County, and current downturn in the economy has only exasperated a desperate situation. The County Executive’s proposed 2009 budget amounts to $3.1 Billion and includes a 3.9% property tax increase. Legislator Muscarella supported the amendments to the budget which would eliminate the property tax increase, restore funding for projects and programs, and prevent needless security risks created by the proposed mergers of county and police department functions. The Majority on the legislature voted down the proposed amendments.
The proposed amendments would have resulted in a total savings of over $38 million and, most importantly, eliminated Suozzi’s 3.9% property tax increase (which is reported to generate $31.5 million in revenue.) “I think our suggestions were thoughtful and fair,” said Muscarella. “The county government needs to tighten its belt. County residents cannot be asked to pay more taxes in these tough economic times.”