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.  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. As a father and lifelong Westchester resident, it pains me to have to slash services and benefits that people have come to rely upon.  But this is the new reality in America, and if we don’t take these steps now, we will endanger the future for our children.

These are tough times, but we will get through them together.  We just need to stay strong, do what’s right, and remember how fortunate we all are to live in this country. There is no challenge we cannot overcome if we work together.

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.

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.

And I haven’t stopped looking for all kinds of ways that we can scale back some of the county governments excesses. You and I understand how some seemingly small expenditures can add up, forcing us to live beyond our means. Unfortunately, the Board of Legislators does not get it and opposed even my effort to save $86,000 of tax money by disbanding the county’s equestrian unit.

I love horses as much as anyone, but in a time where nurses and teachers have to be cut, I cannot rationalize the continued use of horse patrols.  In this debilitating tax environment, parade horses are a luxury we are going to have to live without.