| FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2007
Contact: PAUL PERILLIE, MAJORITY CAUCUS AIDE -- #(631) 854-4500
Suffolk Legislature Cuts Capital Spending for 2nd Straight
Year
Will
Vote on Fiscally Responsible Plan for Capital Investment, Environmental
Protection and Borrowing Reduction at Tuesday's Meeting
Suffolk County Legislative Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Huntington)
today joined Presiding Officer William J. Lindsay (D-Holbrook) and
Minority Leader Daniel P. Losquadro (R-Shoreham) to announce a bi-partisan
capital budget proposal which exercises tremendous fiscal restraint,
coming in less than last year's Capital Program. The Legislature
will vote this Tuesday on the proposed capital budget at its June
12th General Meeting at 9:30 a.m. in Hauppauge.
The Legislature's proposed actions will result in a 3-year Capital
Program that is 1.8% or $10.5 million less than last year's, a 5-year
plan that is 9.6% or $95.2 million less than last year's and the
long-term plan for "subsequent years" is 21.1% or $84.6 million
less than last year's long-term plan.
"This budget demonstrates, for the second year in a row, how the
Democratic majority in the Legislature has been able to take the
lead and work with the County Executive to reduce government spending,
while still providing funding for programs vital to the County,"
said Cooper. "I am particularly pleased with the $1.8 million in
new environmental initiatives and the $1.2 million we are investing
in future sewer capacity planning. This budget shows that economic
growth and environmental preservation can both be achieved when
government exercises prudent financial management."
"There is no doubt about it - taxes are a pressing issue for families
in Suffolk County," said Lindsay. "The County Executive's Budget
was well crafted, but there were important policy decisions that
the Legislature made to address infrastructure priorities. We really
were disciplined in our modifications because we understand the
tax implications for our residents. Anytime a municipality facing
inflation can put together a budget that is a reduction over the
previous one, as we have done, it is a significant accomplishment."
"Once again the Legislature has made prudent decisions investing
money in our infrastructure and our college system," said Losquadro.
"At the same time we have exercised fiscal discipline in reducing
our overall plan of spending."
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES:
DECREASING
Budget over current program passed last year
| Last
year's 3-year plan |
This
year's 3-year plan |
| $591.1
million |
$580.5
million |
| $10.6
million less |
| Last
year's 5-year plan |
This
year's 5-year plan |
| $992.5
million |
$897.3
million |
| $95.2
million less |
| Last
year's long-term plan |
(SY)
This year's long-term plan |
| (SY) $401.4
million |
$316.8
million |
| $84.6
million less |
Restoring
infrastructure investments for Suffolk Co. Community College
- The Legislature
restored to the capital program three major construction projects,
which will create much-needed construction and trade jobs in future
years.
- Over the
past 6 years, SCCC's FTE enrollment has increased by 24% with
21,859 current students.
- SCCC offers
quality higher education for Suffolk residents at a reasonable
price.
- SCCC educates
our workforce and in partnership with private industry develops
programs specific for industry needs.
- These projects
will be a boost to the economy as there will be an injection of
$28.1 million coming from the State into the local economy- 50%
State reimbursement.
County-Wide Sewer Capacity Assessment and Analysis
- Expanded
sewer capacity is critical for economic development and protection
of our environment because it has the potential to lure businesses
while protecting our waterways.
- Only 28%
of Suffolk's homes are hooked up to sewers. Septic systems, which
homes need when sewers are not available, pollute our environment.
- We need
to know what we have, what can be enhanced, where we need new
systems and how can we get the best economic payback for potential
sewer investments.
- A comprehensive
analysis will lay the foundation for receiving federal and state
grants for sewer improvements and development. This issue is timely
and in-step with State and Federal efforts to increase funding.
Water Quality projects funded through Pay-Go
- The Legislature
is heading Budget Review Office's warning that our debt service
has risen significantly largely due to the Jail project and our
land acquisition programs.
- Changing
funding from serial bonds to cash from the County's 477 account
(Water-quality portion of the quarter-cent sales tax) to pay for
drainage improvements, recharge basins and storm water remediation
programs. This will save $6.6 million in interest over 20-year
life of the bond.
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