Westchester Legislator Judy Myers: Statement on the 2013 Budget Process

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 27, 2012

Contact: Tom Staudter | ThomasS@westchesterlegislators.com | 914-995-2819 (office) | 914-815-4462 (cell)

Legislator Judy Myers: Statement on the 2013 Budget Process

White Plains, NY – Legislator Judy Myers (D-Larchmont), chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) Budget & Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement regarding the budget process:

“For the past three years, the budget review process here in Westchester has been accomplished in an entirely open and transparent process. All of the department budget presentations made in front of the Budget and Appropriations committee are streamed ‘live’ and archived for future viewing on the Board of Legislators’ website. The three public hearings on the budget are similarly streamed, archived and made available to members of the public.

“Instead of holding a press conference, my Republican colleagues would be better serving their constituents by actually attending the budget meetings. Chairman Jenkins implemented the ‘live’ streaming and video conferencing of Board committee meetings so members offsite could participate.

“The additions and deletions to the budget made by the Board of Legislators are adopted in full accordance of the County Charter. My Republican colleagues would be best served to follow up their request for a particular change to the budget process with the Westchester County Charter Review Commission, which is at work right now to receive suggestions as such.

“What troubles me and some of my colleagues about County Executive Astorino’s Proposed 2013 Budget is the fact that there have been numerous discrepancies between what the department heads have told us during their budget presentations and what is included in the County Executive’s proposed budget. More jobs have been created during the year than reported in the budget; and data requested under the normal course of events has not been provided. It is incredibly difficult to create a final budget for approval by the legislative branch of government under these conditions. Also, we are concerned about the financially irresponsible borrowing for tax certioraris in County Executive Astorino’s proposed budget.”

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