Legislator Michael Kaplowitz (D) New Castle, Somers, Yorktown, Legislator Virginia Perez (D) Yonkers, along with colleagues from both the Democratic and Republican caucuses completed negotiations between the Board of Legislators and County Executive Rob Astorino which resulted in the passage of the $1.74 billion 2014 County Budget. The vote was taken after weeks of Budget and Appropriations Committee meetings with department heads and three public hearings. The 2014 Budget does not raise the tax levy, protects the fund balance and provides for the essential programs and services that county residents rely on. The Budget Act passed late in the evening of Monday December 9th by a vote of 16-1.
Following the vote, Legislator Kaplowitz said, "The budget that we passed tonight is a sound plan that does not raise taxes, preserves the social safety net and does not spend down our reserve funds. We didn't get everything we wanted in the process, nor did the County Executive but we worked together to put forward a plan that best serves the people of Westchester County." Kaplowitz added, "The hard work that we put into this bipartisan, compromise budget should stand as an example to lawmakers in Albany and Washington that when we focus on our mutual goals and shared challenges instead of the things that divide us, we CAN achieve those goals and overcome those challenges."
The budget compromise represents the second year in a row that a bipartisan coalition has emerged to craft the county spending plan. Last year, Legislator Virginia Perez joined Legislator Kaplowitz and the seven Republican Legislators to pass the 2013 spending plan. Legislator Perez said, "I am very happy that this year’s budget is receiving the support of so many Legislators from both sides of the aisle. I hope and I believe that this vote will lead to more bipartisan cooperation here in Westchester County. Working together we will continue to provide essential services to the residents of Westchester County. It was especially important to me to provide additional funding to programs like subsidized childcare, eviction prevention and youth services."
Minority Leader, Legislator Jim Maisano ( R ) New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor, also played a key role in the negotiations. Legislator Maisano said, "While this budget process was challenging, like any other budget, having partners like Legislator Mike Kaplowitz, Legislator Virginia Perez, my Republican colleagues, County Executive Rob Astorino and the Democrat Leadership, I was confident that we would be able to pass another bipartisan budget." Legislator Maisano went on to say, "I am proud of the budget that we passed and the residents of Westchester County should be proud of the fact that their elected officials work together across party lines and branches of government in a bipartisan and cooperative way."
Like the 2013 budget, the 2014 plan added money to the County Executive's proposed budget while finding savings in other areas. Among the additions to the County Executive's proposal are items such as;
-$900,000 for subsidized childcare
-$200,000 in cash assistance for eviction prevention
-$200,000 for ArtsWestchester
Other additions were made for Legal services for Seniors, Veterans, and Victims of Domestic Violence in Peekskill as well as Domestic Violence Attorneys to assist victims at the New Rochelle Family Court.
With the passage of the Budget Act by the Board of Legislators, the County Executive will have 10 days from the time he receives the Budget Act to make any Vetoes. The Board of Legislators will then vote to sustain or override the County Executive's vetoes. The budget must be signed into law by the County Executive by December 27th.
