Levy: 'Staggering' capital spending cuts

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy on Friday unveiled a proposed 2012 capital budget and long-term plan with cutbacks that he called "staggering" and "unprecedented."

However, several Suffolk lawmakers said some cuts made by the lame-duck county executive -- especially those for Suffolk County Community College -- are likely to be restored to boost jobs in the still-sagging construction industry. They called Levy's proposal a reaction to their criticism that he has allowed borrowing to balloon.

Levy's proposed $107.6-million capital budget for the coming year is 44 percent smaller than this fiscal year's budget. Levy's proposed $291.2-million capital plan for 2012-2014 represents a 49 percent cut from the current plan.

Levy said his capital proposals would reduce borrowing to a 30-year low. He said the package shows his administration "has the courage to say no to the things we want in order to say yes to the things we need."

But Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Habor), who criticized Levy earlier this year for increasing the level of bonding from $640 million to $1.3 billion since taking office in 2004, called Levy's budget too little, too late. "Levy has borrowed money like a drunken sailor for seven years in office and only now as a lame duck has he seen the light," Cooper said.

In all, Levy axed 20 projects totaling $75.3 million from the current three-year plan. They include $30 million for a new college library and $6.1 million in renovations at the Sagtikos Arts building, both at SCCC's Brentwood campus; renovations to the Francis Gabreski Airport control tower in Westhampton Beach; and improvements to the county's 800-mhz communications system, used by police and emergency services.

Levy also proposed $15.1 million in new projects in the next three years, including $3.65 million to upgrade garages for compressed-natural-gas vehicles; $1.5 million to replace the Smith Point bridge to Fire Island; and $1.75 million for an electronic highway information system.

Legis. John M. Kennedy Jr. (R-Nesconset) said he expects the legislature to restore community college spending. He noted that half the cost of college projects is funded by the state, and that enrollment has grown to a record 25,000 students. "It's not just kids anymore. We have a lot of people who are transitioning from one career to another," Kennedy said.