Astorino Vetoes More Than 200 Lines in 2011 County Budget
Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced Wednesday afternoon that he would veto 247 lines of the 2011 budget approved last week by the Board of Legislators.
“What the legislators approved last week is flawed and puts Westchester County government at risk,” Astorino said. “While it is commendable that the board followed my lead to reduce county property taxes, the legislators did so in an irresponsible way. The combination of phony revenues, wasteful spending, unfunded liabilities, illegal actions and rejection of generally accepted accounting principles jeopardizes our AAA credit ratings. I cannot sign this budget in its current form.”
These vetoes include 220 to the operating budget, 200 involving about $32.5 million in expenses and 20 involving almost $23.3 million in revenues, 24 to the capital projects budget and three to the solid waste district budget.
In November, Astorino proposed a spending plan for 2011 that cut the county property tax levy by 1 percent, maintained all essential county services, protected the county’s needy and ensured fiscal responsibility. Last week, the Board of Legislators by a 16-1 margin added about $4.5 million in spending to Astorino’s plan but pushed the tax decrease to 2 percent.
Minority Leader Jim Maisano issued a statement Wednesday saying the five Republicans on the board are prepared to support at least some of Astorino’s vetoes. Last week Democrat Martin Rogowsky was the lone dissenting vote.
The board is scheduled to meet on Dec. 23 to review the vetoes. A budget must be passed by Dec. 27.
Martin has more than 30 years experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, including a frequent focus on zoning and planning issues. He has been editor-in-chief of The Examiner since its inception in 2007. Read more from Martin’s editor-author bio here. Read Martin’s archived work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/martin-wilbur2007/