The New Reality

Westchester County is among the wealthiest counties in America, and we are broke. That pretty much says it all about the problems facing this state and nation.

Our current condition came about because we were spending too much money, and now we have to spend less.  It’s really that simple.

This is not an easy task.  Many of the things we have been spending money on are laudable and humanitarian.  In a perfect world, we would have all these programs and pension benefits.  But in today’s reality, we must make painful choices in government, just as we do at home.

In my opinion, the biggest problem facing the majority of people in Westchester County is high taxes, though.  We pay the highest property taxes in America, and Westchester families are suffering because of it. Stopping this tax madness is my number one priority.

When I entered office this January, I inherited a $166 million deficit.  In the past, County Executives made up for shortfalls like this by bumping taxes ever higher.  I will not do that.  We have been taxed enough.

In my first six months in office, I have substantially reduced the cost of government in this county – by $36 million – but we have a long way to go, at least another $130 million out of a $1.8 billion budget. That will require even more cuts, and the deeper they go, the more they hurt. More

Suit of Honor

The Board of Legislators has fought virtually every effort to rein in spending in Westchester County.  Now they are now attempting to sue me to spend money taxpayers don’t have! You can’t make this stuff up. And guess who will be paying for the lawsuit?  You will be.

Westchester County is facing a $166 million deficit, so we must make sensible spending reductions. No one enjoys cutting back, but Westchester has to address its addiction to spending and our status as the highest taxed county in America. More spending equals higher taxes, and I will not allow that.

A Fair Rx for Westchester

Did you know that until recently every county employee’s health benefits were paid in full by you, the taxpayer? My first attempt toward a cure for our county’s financial ills was to tackle this issue head on. It was simple: non-union county workers, like me, had to start paying 15% of their salary toward health contributions. It is only fair, considering that virtually every one working in the private sector today has to pay something toward his health benefits.

After months of hand wringing and obstruction from the Democrats on the Board of Legislators (and my exercise of the first veto in Westchester government in 13 years), we reached a compromise. Many employees will start paying a percentage of their income toward the county’s health plan based on their salary.

It’s a small win. But a necessary one.