Suozzi proceeding with cuts, layoffs despite stimulus

BY SID CASSESE | sid.cassese@newsday.com

9:10 PM EST, February 17, 2009

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi (Photo by Howard Schnapp / February 3, 2009)

Despite the expectation of up to $127 million in federal stimulus cash over 27 months, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi said Tuesday he will proceed with painful cuts and layoffs if he can't get the union concessions he wants this week.

But leaders of county employee unions shot back that Nassau should direct more stimulus money to ameliorate service cuts and layoffs. The leaders are scheduled to continue negotiations tomorrow with Suozzi administration officials.

Suozzi already has budgeted $50 million in increased federal Medicaid aid to help fill an estimated deficit of $130 million to $150 million this year. He is pushing state lawmakers to approve another $30 million in new taxes and fees.

But even if Nassau ends up getting somewhat more in Medicaid aid than anticipated, Suozzi argued yesterday that the unions still will have to agree to salary cuts or layoffs to close the budget gap.

Suozzi proceeding with cuts, layoffs despite stimulus

BY SID CASSESE | sid.cassese@newsday.com

9:10 PM EST, February 17, 2009

Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi (Photo by Howard Schnapp / February 3, 2009)

Despite the expectation of up to $127 million in federal stimulus cash over 27 months, Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi said Tuesday he will proceed with painful cuts and layoffs if he can't get the union concessions he wants this week.

But leaders of county employee unions shot back that Nassau should direct more stimulus money to ameliorate service cuts and layoffs. The leaders are scheduled to continue negotiations tomorrow with Suozzi administration officials.

Suozzi already has budgeted $50 million in increased federal Medicaid aid to help fill an estimated deficit of $130 million to $150 million this year. He is pushing state lawmakers to approve another $30 million in new taxes and fees.

But even if Nassau ends up getting somewhat more in Medicaid aid than anticipated, Suozzi argued yesterday that the unions still will have to agree to salary cuts or layoffs to close the budget gap.