Mangano to push reform in annual speech

"It's time for reform and difficult choices, and that means continuing to correct the fiscal policies of the past," Mangano, a Republican, said Tuesday in an interview.

But Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick), ranking member of the Finance Committee, said Democratic County Executive Thomas Suozzi left Mangano a balanced budget. "He inherited a balanced 2010 budget and 'managed' it to two successive record deficits," Denenberg said of Mangano. "Taxpayers can't afford Mangano's borrow-and-spend polices."

Mangano said that in his speech at the Cradle of Aviation Museum he will announce the contractor for a multipurpose exposition center at the Mitchel Athletic Complex in the central Hub area.

He said he also will announce a program to purchase older homes for military veterans. The county's Industrial Development Agency will "bond funds to buy and restore homes for veterans," Mangano said.