Keyword: 'budgets' | Herald Community Newspapers

Back in early August, I began to consider writing a series of columns on reforming New York’s dysfunctional state government. Friends and neighbors were not aware of my interest in this subject; others suggested that no amount of disclosure and transparency could possibly make a difference. more

11/17/10

An open letter to Sen. Dean Skelos

Back in early August, I began to consider writing a series of columns on reforming New York’s dysfunctional state government. Friends and neighbors were not aware of my interest in this subject; others suggested that no amount of disclosure and transparency could possibly make a difference. more

Hal Peterson | 11/10/10

Nassau County Legislators Denise Ford and Richard Nicollelo, both Republicans, voted for County Executive Ed Mangano’s $2.6 billion budget, as well as a separate budget resolution to do away with the county’s ‘guarantee’ to pay tax-certiorari refunds to property owners who successfully challenge their assessments.

County OK’s $2.6B budget

The Nassau County Legislature voted 11-8 to approve County Executive Ed Mangano’s $2.6 billion budget on Saturday night, following a contentious, two-day public hearing in Mineola that turned bitterly partisan as legislators argued over details of the spending plan. more

David Weingrad and Scott Brinton | 11/2/10

Merrick School District PTAs are planning to attend a rally in Mineola on Monday to protest County Executive Ed Mangano’s plan to eliminate the county’s guarantee that it will pay refunds on property-tax challenges. The county executive would instead like school districts and towns to pay the refunds.

School districts plan rally against Mangano tax plan

To help close the more than $300 million budget deficit that Nassau now faces, County Executive Ed Mangano’s recently proposed budget includes a proposal to end the county’s “guarantee” that it will pay refunds owed when homeowners successfully challenge their tax assessments. more

David Weingrad | 10/15/10

Taxes too high? Look to the schools

These days almost everybody has a complaint about the government. In Washington it’s about health care, taxes, over-regulation and bailouts. Here at home the complaints deal with the economy and real estate taxes, but mostly taxes. more

Jerry Kremer | 10/7/10

The governor, the lawmakers and the budget

June will go down in history as the month in which Governor Paterson divorced himself from his uneasy relationship with the state Legislature and took over all of its powers and duties in order to … more

Jerry Kremer | 7/14/10

Nassau County, who’s watching out for us?

When County Executive Ed Mangano took office in January, he knew his plate was full. What he didn’t know was just how bad the situation was. Nassau County’s 2011 budget currently has a gap … more

Al D'Amato | 7/7/10

Can voters’ anger lead to real change?

Last week, 92 percent of Long Island school budgets won public approval. Aware of the public’s anger over rising taxes, most districts held their growth down to between 2 and 4 percent. Thankfully, the voters didn’t punish the children. more

Jerry Kremer | 5/28/10

A relative few decide for all

Voter turnout was slightly larger for this year’s budget and Board of Education elections May 18, though school officials are still seeking ways to increase participation in the future. more

Andrew Hackmack | 5/26/10

When will the unions wake up?

Once again, New York state’s two biggest enemies — the ravenous unions and the legislators who are afraid to vote against them — have reared their ugly heads. Love him or hate him, let’s give our lame duck governor, David Paterson, credit for taking a stand. more

Al D'Amato | 5/20/10