By John C. O'Connell
Also unanimously passed was a Democratic-majority amendment to the budget that restored $2.4 million in proposed cuts to Long Island Bus service and added $500,000 for the Youth Board for violence prevention, and $200,000 for Cornell Cooperative Extension's environmental programs.
Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs praised the budget and the progress made toward solving the county's financial problems. "We have trimmed the workforce, taken smart government initiatives, achieved union concessions and have been rewarded with credit rating agency improvements," Jacobs said. "We have received accolades from [the Nassau Interim Finance Authority], the county comptroller and outside monitors ... We know the challenges that lie ahead and are prepared to face them."
But it wasn't all collegiality and unanimity Monday night in Mineola. A major disagreement over police staffing became part of the budget discussions. Police ranks have shrunk from 3,000 in 1999 to 2,500 now, and a spate of recent serious crime has focused residents' and lawmakers' attention.
Democrats rejected an amendment offered by Republicans that would have provided money -- to be found elsewhere in the budget without increasing the bottom line, Republicans said -- for the hiring of as many as 300 additional police officers and 30 new detectives.
"I hope that this will be a statement by the institution of the county Legislature that these public safety concerns will be addressed," said Minority Leader Peter Schmitt.
Democrats said they would wait until Police Commissioner James Lawrence presents a report on staffing needs, scheduled for Dec. 1, before taking action. If that report calls for more officers, then the Democrats will fight to fund them, one Democratic legislator said.
A union official, Gary DelaRaba of the Police Benevolent Association, blasted the delay, saying that the commissioner was sure to report "what he's told to report" by County Executive Thomas Suozzi.
"You're the Legislature," DelaRaba said. "You're in charge here. This is a crisis situation that you won't be able to get out of. When is the Legislature going to determine the size of the police department?"
