Nonprofits Oppose Astorino's Proposed Westchester Budget

Westchester’s nonprofit groups are calling on County Executive Rob Astorino to reconsider his proposed budget for 2016, which they say cuts their funding too drastically.

Astorino is proposing a county spending plan of $1.8 billion for 2016, which he touted as a budget that for the sixth straight year will not raise taxes.

But to keep spending flat, he admitted that would “require some reductions to the money the county gives to not-for profits.”

In a recent statement, Astorino said the proposed budget “calls for grants of $2.3 million to Legal Services of Hudson Valley, $1.3 million to Arts Westchester, and $577,000 for the Hudson River Museum and $200,000 for Cornell Cooperative.” The amount earmarked for ArtsWestchester represents a 20 percent cut, which Purchase College-SUNY president Thomas J. Schwarz is vowing to fight. He urges residents to voice their opposition to the cuts at upcoming public hearings on the budget.

“The decreases were the result of financial necessity and don’t reflect on the value of the programs,” said Astorino. “We were forced to make tough decisions, and we have tried to make them in a reasonable way.”

Nonprofit Westchester (NPW), which together with other coalitions represents hundreds of nonprofits in the county, says the proposed cuts to non-profit programs “would hurt the entire community,” and it, too, is calling on residents to voice their opposition. The group has launched an advocacy campaign called #KeepWestchesterThriving.

“The cuts in County Executive Rob Astorino’s proposed 2016 budget impact the fabric of our community,” said Joanna Straub, Executive Director of NPW, in a statement. “The proposed budget calls for major cuts to funding for many services that are essential for Westchester to thrive. It is our job as citizens to advocate for our community so that everyone can reach their full potential and fully contribute to the community.

“Westchester’s ability to thrive would be weakened in ways that are obvious right now – like unfilled positions and program cutbacks – but also in ways that we might not see for years to come. A community that is carefully constructed to foster wellbeing anticipates and prevents bigger, more expensive problems in the future.”

Kathy Halas, NPW board chairwoman and the executive director for the Child Care Council of Westchester added: “The fundamental well-being of Westchester is at stake. We are advocating for restoration of the proposed cuts in order to ensure that we can keep Westchester thriving.”

Joining NPW at a Thursday press conference were representatives from the following coalitions: Child Care Council of Westchester, Westchester Women’s Agenda, Westchester Children’s Association Campaign for Kids, Westchester NOW, Community Voices Heard, Interfaith Clergy for Social Action, Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, ArtsWestchester and New York Immigration Coalition.

The groups all urged citizens “to collectively voice their concerns to local legislators through Nonprofit Westchester’s website at http://npwestchester.org/keep-westchester-thriving.html.”

Additionally, the groups asked people to use the hashtag #KeepWestchesterThriving via social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter to keep the conversation going.

Finally, residents have two more public hearings to voice their concerns over the proposed county budget:

Tuesday, November 24 at 7:00 p.m.

Horace Greeley High School

70 Roaring Brook Road, Chappaqua

Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Westchester County Legislators Office

148 Martine Avenue, 8th floor, White Plains

Photo: Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino during his budget address for 2016. Photo credit: Westchester County Government