The 2012 proposed budget, which the Rockland County Legislature approved by a 12 to 4 vote on Tuesday night, was delivered to County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef early this afternoon. He has five days to act upon it. The Clerk to the Legislature Laurence O’Toole had to certify that votes were taken on the 22 resolutions and two local laws before the budgetary documents could be forwarded.
“We gave it to him today,” said Legislative Counsel Ricardo McKay. “The first day you count is tomorrow.”
By law, the had to adopt a budget by today, Dec. 7. Vanderhoef has until the end of business on Wednesday, Dec. 14 to take one of several actions. He can veto the entire budget, which includes a 30 percent property tax increase, 3/8 of a percent sales tax hike and 40 job cuts. Vanderhoef can veto certain line items and approve others or he can do nothing, which would result in the revised budget being implemented.
McKay said if the county executive returns a “negative statement” to the legislature either a veto of the entire budget or specific line items, the legislature must meet again.
“We have no later than Dec. 20 to have another meeting of the full legislature,” he said.
Under that scenario, legislators would have to vote on an override of any veto. The next full legislative meeting is slated for Monday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
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We are kicking the can down the road with borrowing, so instead of having to borrow more each year, lets just borrow what we really need and have some extra too. After all, it's free money right? We never have to pay it back. It's the Obama way. Also Scott, while you are at it, I think we need to expand the department of tourism. After all, Rockland County has so many attractions that attract outsiders. Let's also hire more employees, since the people are overworked. Just think what more people can do working for the county. I also think that we should give all the legislators a nice raise, we should even give them longevity pay for all their great years of service and all of their help in getting us to where we are today. It's the least we can do as taxpayers. Borrow, borrow, borrow, but borrow enough so we have lots of extra money to spend. That will fix the mess we are in.
The recommendations he made close down Summit Park Hospital in Pomona, NY. If he vetos he will kill hundreds of government jobs. These- mostly born in Rockland, have spent their lives working in that hospital. By privatizing it you cut benefits that were promised to people significantly and take opportunity out of Rocklands present.
I am sure we can make some cuts and solid decisions and save money with out hurting the quality of life here in rockland....first cut should be the elimination of the tourism dept.....we all know what thats about
Using RC taxpayer money for jobs that aren't productive, are redundant and have have no accountability for the sake of keeping them is foolish. If Summit Park can be privatized, than do it. Eliminate the tourism department. Eliminate the RC Dept of Transportation because using tax $ to subsidize a bus company to run half empty busses all over the County at all hours is a waste. If there is money to be made running busses, then let a private company foot the bill but using tax money to keep TOR afloat is ridiculous.