December 18, 2008

WROBLEWSKI QUESTIONS INTEGRITY OF COLLINS' BUDGET

On October 15, national media reported that economists finally reached consensus on the state of the nation's economy, declaring that the United States is "officially" in a recession. These financial experts tracked economic data for months to reach a conclusion that my constituents have known for a very long time - it is tough to make ends meet. When Americans spend less on their daily needs and put off major purchases, it is the recipe for a recession. Just ask the auto industry.

Also on October 15, the County Executive delivered his proposed budget to the County Legislature. The more than $1 billion plan - 88% of which is mandated by the state and federal government - includes zero growth in sales tax revenues to reflect the weak economy. Also, the Canadian dollar is no longer at par with the U.S. dollar. Fewer Canadians are coming here to shop.

The county's flat sales tax income may have prompted the County Executive to include a property tax increase in his proposed budget. Whatever his reasoning, I cannot support a property tax increase when his budget also contains a lot of benefits - most notably large pay raises - for members of his cabinet. If the budget vote were held today, my vote would be a resounding "NO!" I cannot abide the County Executive's spending and taxing priorities.

I do not believe that taking more money from residents already struggling with job losses, stagnant wages and escalating prices for gas, home heating, health care, food and clothing is called for at this difficult time. A tax increase should only be done as government's last resort. And, given the goodies in Collins' Budget for his appointees and favorite programs, this last resort was truly not called for at this time. Spending cuts should have come first.

As much as it hurts government, and those who depend on its essential services - public safety and health, as well as quality of life services - libraries, parks and culturals, we must continue to do more with less.

The County Legislature governs within a 12% margin of discretionary (non-mandated) spending. Federal and state law, rules and regulations prevent us from cutting the lion's share of the budget - fully 88% of expenditures. It is a challenge to trim from a meager baseline of just over 10%, but we must rise to meet this challenge when times are so tough for our nation, state, community and constituents.

The federal government has been forced to bail out the financial services sector to avoid the disaster that befell our nation during the Great Depression when government did not take action to keep banks from failing. The State Legislature and Governor undertook a round of budget cuts in August. Soon after, state revenues plummeted in the wake of the Wall Street fiscal crisis. Nearly one-quarter of New York State's budget revenues are directly tied to Wall Street. And, the County Executive has unveiled a budget with a property tax increase.

My planned "NO" vote on County Executive Chris Collins' ill-conceived budget is a "YES" vote for my constituents. I have listened to your pleas for government to tighten its belt. In these trying times, we may have to sacrifice the government services we want, to adequately fund the government services we need. I have heard my constituents loud and clear.

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