Long Beach passes budget in face of opposition

The Long Beach City Council tonight approved an $89 million budget, complete with a tax hike and dozens of layoffs, despite fierce opposition from local residents and workers' unions. The vote came after a packed public hearing at City Hall. Dozens of residents took to the podium to plead with the council to avoid pink slips and tax increases. As News 12 Long Island has reported, the City of Long Beach is facing a $10 million budget gap this year alone, and is in debt for a total of about $48 million.

Long Beach eyes layoffs to rein in huge deficitLong Beach residents blast tax hike, layoff plans