Nassau Dems threaten to block borrowing

Nassau Democratic lawmakers Tuesday said they will block County Executive Edward Mangano's plans to borrow $450 million over the next four years unless he "comes to the table and negotiates."

"We need the county executive and Republican majority to talk to us about what they plan to do with the borrowing," said Legis. Kevan Abrahams, the Democrats' new leader. "We need more fiscal accountability, more fiscal responsibility and more fiscal leadership."

Mangano and Nassau Interim Finance Authority chairman Ronald Stack agreed last month to allow the county to borrow $450 million to pay tax refunds, employee severance and court judgments in return for making $150 million in recurring labor cost cuts. NIFA took control of Nassau's finances in January.

At a news conference in Mineola, Abrahams (D-Hempstead) noted that long-term borrowing requires at least 13 votes in the 19-member legislature. That means Mangano will need some Democrat votes no matter what happens in a recount of this month's legislative elections, he said. Although Republicans appeared to have retained an 11-8 edge in unofficial returns, two races are yet to be determined and Democrats could pick up one or both of those seats.

"NIFA and I have set forth a plan to fix Nassau's finances once and for all," Mangano said in a statement. "It's not too late for the Democrats to join us in protecting taxpayers and stabilizing Nassau's finances with governmentally responsible solutions."

A Mangano aide said the county executive and Abrahams have agreed to meet Monday to discuss the budget and other issues.

NIFA member Chris Wright said the control board "won't be in a position to approve any borrowing until the legislature passes it. We hope the legislative leaders and the administration can get together on a plan that meets all of the county's immediate cash-flow needs."

Newsday reported last month that an aide to Democratic Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo had met separately with Stack and Mangano before they made the deal. Asked if an aide could convince Democratic lawmakers to drop their opposition to the borrowing, Abrahams replied, "There is no one person or entity that is going to push us" except "the Nassau County taxpayer."