Raising Nassau taxes is the wrong answer
The Nassau Interim Finance Authority Credit: Howard Schnapp
I am appalled by the op-ed written by former Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman ["Fix for Nassau is obvious, but tough," June 9], wherein he suggests that the only way to fix Nassau's finances is "through increasing property taxes or, with state approval, sales taxes."
If the cost of this county's government is too much for our taxpayers to bear, then it must be changed. Increasing taxes is not an option to balance a budget in this tough fiscal climate.
The repair that Weitzman recommends, raising taxes, was tried during his tenure as county comptroller. The Democrats in the county legislature increased property taxes by 23.3 percent. But that still didn't cover the administration's lavish spending. Taxes are not the answer, and that's exactly why Weitzman is the EX-comptroller of this county.
Peter J. Schmitt, Massapequa
Editor's note: The writer is presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature.
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