Astorino Vetoes Parts of Legislators' 2011 County Budget

Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino vetoed the 2011 budget sent to his desk by the Board of Legislators, citing reservations dealing with its revenues and spending. A total of 247 lines were struck out.

"The combination of phony revenues, wasteful spending, unfunded liabilities, illegal actions and rejection of generally accepted accounting principles jeopardizes our AAA credit ratings," Astorino said of the $1.79 billion budget in a press announcement about his decision.

Legislators  on Friday. It calls for a two-percent tax decrease but with fewer reductions in social services than called for by Astorino, who proposed a series of cuts in November, as part of a budget version that calls for a one-percent tax decrease.

Despite the legislators' 16-1 vote in favor of the budget, Astorino, a Republican, accused the board's Democrats of not giving enough time for his administration or legislators in his party to scrutinize the proposal.

The legislators' approved budget has been defended by Democrats for its treatment of taxes and services.

In an appearance before the New Castle Town Board Tuesday, County Legislator Mike Kaplowitz gave an update on the proposed budget, which he defended as something that "continues to provide essential services," and listed what is covered.

Among the vetoed items that the legislators backed:

• $4.1 millon restored to Section 8 housing voucher administration
• $5 million appropriated to daycare funding, which Astorino describes as leading to a parents' cost share that is too low compared to other counties and New York City.
• Transitional funding for six months, directed towards mental health clinics that are slated to close (a clinic in Mount Kisco is among them).
• 134 of 147 county positions that were restored from Astorino's proposed cut of 226 layoffs.
• $950,000 to keep open the Oasis homeless shelter in New Rochelle, which Astorino describes as being underutilized
• Cutting the Human Rights Commission
• $990,000 for the Cornell Cooperative Extension
• $60 million in capital projects funding
• $2.3 million in estimated sales tax revenue that the legislators added, a figure that Astorino described as optimistic, while accusing them of "making up" the numbers.
• $750,000 in added parks revenues, including $500,000 in golf fees

For a full list of Astorino's vetoes, click here.