Mangano budget sees raft of amendments

With a vote looming on County Executive Edward Mangano's 2012 budget, Democrats and Republicans in the Nassau Legislature have unveiled a raft of amendments to cut spending and gain labor savings.

At a news conference in Mineola Tuesday, Democrats said their plan would save $313 million, preventing the layoffs of 700 county workers while preserving two police precincts from closure.

"These changes would put financial transparency and integrity back in the budget," said Legis. Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead).

Republicans, who hold an 11-8 majority in the legislature, offered an amendment mandating $150 million in labor concessions to avoid further layoffs. Republicans also proposed an additional $14 million in cuts to county departments.

Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said the GOP's cuts are more targeted and easier to understand than those in Mangano's budget. "This is a much clearer budget than originally proposed," Schmitt said.

The GOP budget measures were drafted in consultation with Mangano and the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state monitoring board that controls the county's finances, officials said. NIFA chairman Ron Stack did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday.

Democrats said their plan would eliminate the county's projected $310 million deficit for 2012 through administrative cuts, labor savings, state legislation and policy changes.

The Democratic amendments would restore $15 million in funds to keep two police precincts open along with $6.7 million in subsidies to Long Island Bus, which the county plans to privatize next year. Mangano has not identified which precincts would close.

Their amendments would cut the $28 million annual payment to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for maintenance of Long Island Rail Road stations.

The amendments would transfer $56 million in unspent agency dollars and $10.5 million in reserve funds to the county's operating budget. The plan also includes $40 million in labor concessions, although it does detail how to achieve those savings.

While Mangano said he would review the Democratic proposal, Schmitt said the amendments would be defeated.

Republicans focused their efforts on achieving $150 million in voluntary union savings. The GOP wants $75 million in union concessions by Dec. 15, "through layoffs, furloughs or other labor savings." An additional $75 million in labor concessions would have to come by Feb. 1. Union officials have expressed doubt that their members would go along with such concessions.

The Republican budget adjustments would also cut $2.2 million in funding for outside law firms, $3.6 million in expenses for the police department and nearly $1 million in county mailings and printing.

A vote on the amendments and the county budget will likely occur Sunday evening, legislative officials said.