Newsday News coddles Suozzi & Democrats!

[Mineola Observer]

Gosh - didn't see any news in recent Newsday that highlights how Tax Receipts are continuing to free fall in New York State but not in Nassau County? Did you?

According to the respected E.J. McMahon, New York State Tax receipts were down 7.7% for September 2009 vs September 2008.

Didn't the Nassau County Office of Legislative Budget Review's Eric naughton predict that Sales Tax Revenues would decline by at least 8% with the Suozzi Administration and Nassau Democrats unwilling to acknowledge this by holding firm to their fantasy of 6% decline?

The 2% difference is only another $20 million deficit? Is it possible that Suozzi
and Nassau Democrats seeking re-election are suppressing the truth and issuing misleading statements about the true nature of the 2009 Operating Budget and 2010 proposed Budget before an election on November 3, 2009?

And you wonder why Eric Naughton left to go to Suffolk County? Naughton doesn't want to be in Nassau County come January 2010 when Suozzi and the Democrats admit there is a deficit that could baloon to as much as $50 million.

Just remember Suozzi's promise of no Property Tax hikes in 2009? Oh - it doesn't count if you impose it after the 2009 Election, does it?

Well - not at Newsday News anyway where News Editor John Mancini continues to edit the political news favorably towards Suozzi.

October 12, 2009
September Song
E.J. McMahon
New York State’s tax receipts were down 7.7 percent in September compared to the same month in 2008, according to the monthly collections report from the state Department of Taxation and Finance. In virtually every major category, the tax numbers were below the trends forecast in the First Quarterly Update to the 2009-10 state Financial Plan, which had envisioned a net decrease of less than 0.6 percent in “all funds” tax revenues. In fact, this was the biggest drop in September tax collections since 2001, when the World Trade Center attack temporarily blew a record-large hole in New York’s revenue base.

The raw numbers: September’s net state tax receipts were $6.16 billion. That was $516 million lower than actual collections for September 2008, and nearly $500 million below the last forecast from the Division of the Budget (DOB) in July. More year-to-year state tax lowlights for the month of September:

Personal income tax receipts were down 10.7 percent, or $410 million. This included a 17.3 percent decrease in quarterly estimated payments—which come largely from the same high-income taxpayers who were hit this year with a 31 percent state personal income tax increase. Withholding tax receipts were down 3.2 percent, reflecting continued decreases in payroll employment.
Sales and use taxes declined by 2.2 percent, or $24 million, pointing to persistent weakness in retail sales activity in New York as well as declines in taxable business purchases.
Business tax receipts were down 10.3 percent, or about $136 million.
DOB’s July update had projected that all-funds tax revenues for the first six months of fiscal 2009-10 would come in 13.5 percent lower than the same period in fiscal 2008-09. Actual first-half revenues have fallen 16.7 percent below last year’s level, which translates into an additional shortfall of $962 million. This explains why Governor Paterson had has been saying that the current year’s budget deficit has grown to $3 billion from the $2.1 billion projected in July. It doesn’t explain why the governor has yet to propose a detailed plan for closing the deficit, other than announcing some administrative budget cuts that will be barely sufficient to cover the tax shortfall for September alone.

Next shoe to drop: the September cash report from the state comptroller’s office, traditionally issued on the 15th of the following month, to be followed at the end of the month by DOB’s Mid-Year Update to the Financial Plan. Meanwhile, the governor reportedly is planning to present the Legislature with a “menu” of budget cuts as soon as next week.

[Suozzi 4 Gov]

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi and future NYS Governor as well as future U.S. President enjoys using the term "Next Generation" as though he is a futuristic visionary.

"Next Generation" more aptly describes that not only will current generation be burdened with additional taxes and debt to fund Nassau County but so too will future generations such as our children and grand children.

“Non-controversial”? by E.J. McMahon

The short list of “critical, non-controversial” measures Governor Paterson has sent the deadlocked state Senate for possible action tonight includes a bill authorizing Nassau County to issue bonds to finance early retirement incentives for county employees. Pursuant to an agreement between County Executive Thomas Suozzi and his local Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), the county reportedly plans to issue $65 million in 10-year bonds to finance added severance payments of $1,000 per year of service for several hundred employees — in addition to their generous, taxpayer-guaranteed public pension and post-employment health benefits, that is. The goal is to clear workers off the county payroll without layoffs.

But the bonding, which passed the Assembly 130-5 earlier this month, has already touched a nerve at the Nassau County Interim Financial Authority (NIFA).

“The County’s plan to issue debt to pay this expense places a burden on future taxpayers in the form of debt service costs,” NIFA noted in its May review of the county’s financial plan update. “Bonding for operating expenses was part of the pattern that led the County into a fiscal crisis necessitating the formation of NIFA.”

Borrowing money to cover operating expenses was also part of the problem that led to New York City’s near-bankruptcy in the mid-1970s. Yet Rockland County is already in line behind Nassau with its own request to issue bonds to cover a retirement incentive. In fact, both the Nassau and Rockland bills were “passed” by Senate Democrats during their questionable rump session this afternoon.

These are troubling precedents, to say the least. And the fact that Paterson considers them “non-controversial” is yet another troubling indication that the lessons of the 1970s are quickly being forgotten around the state Capitol.

[NIFA Watch]

Read NIFA's October Analysis that briefly comments on 2009 but is focused on 2010-2013.

NIFA states that it is very possible Nassau County will observe a $40-50 million dollar Operating deficit in 2009.

2009!

My guess is NIFA under Paterson & Suozzi's control will take over Nassau County should Republicans take back the Legislature.

[Page 14]

EXCERPTS FROM THE OCTOBER 2009 "Proposed Multi-Year Financial Plan" by NIFA.

Page 14
"The largest threat to FY 2009 budget balance remains sales tax revenue. While already projected by the County to fall $75.4 million below budget, we (NIFA) are concerned that the County's (Nassau - home of the future NYS Governor Suozzi) sales tax forecast may still be too optimistic based on year to date collections."

"Our concern stems primarily from sales tax revenue which is currently weaker than the County projected. (Suozzi & the Democratic Legislature are using the budget asumption of a 6% decline, Weitzman a 7% decline, OLBR projects an 8% decline) Year-to-date sales tax revenue has fallen by 10.9%, excluding the newly enacted sales tax collected on residential energy. Unfortunately, collections have been consistently weak each quarter and have NOT SHOWN ANY SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT. IF SALES TAX COLLECTIONS DO NOT IMPROVE FROM THE CURRENT RATE OF DECLINE, THE COUNTY WILL FALL-SHORT OF ITS REVISED FY 2009 SALES TAX TARGET BY APPROXIMATELY $40 MILLION."

(Blogger's note: since when is $40 million inconsequential to Newsday News? Funny how that deficit might disappear with a 4.5% Property tax hike after the election)

"Even if collections for the remainder of FY 2009 strengthen to negative 3% (compared to the same period last year), the County would miss its revised sales tax revenue target by almost $20 million. This would translate into a year-over-year decline of almost 8% compared to Y 2008 and would impact the County's ability to use current year resources to close projected gaps in FY 2010."

"The remaining three months, including the holiday shopping season, will be determinative with approximately 40% of the overall receipts yet to be collected."

(Blogger's note: do you need more evidence the media, especially Newsday, is in the tank for Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi?)

[Hey Naughton]

Do you think any of the above posts from the blogosphere could begin to explain why Eric Naughton who oversaw the financial analysis of Nassau County in leading the Office of Legislative Budget Review left Nassau County to join Steve Levy's Government?

$40 to $50 million in deficit and it cannot be discovered in the local or major media?

[Roger Mudd]

EXCERPTS FROM THE OCTOBER 2009 "Proposed Multi-Year Financial Plan" by NIFA.

Page 14
"The largest threat to FY 2009 budget balance remains sales tax revenue. While already projected by the County to fall $75.4 million below budget, we (NIFA) are concerned that the County's (Nassau - home of the future NYS Governor Suozzi) sales tax forecast may still be too optimistic based on year to date collections."

"Our concern stems primarily from sales tax revenue which is currently weaker than the County projected. (Suozzi & the Democratic Legislature are using the budget asumption of a 6% decline, Weitzman a 7% decline, OLBR projects an 8% decline) Year-to-date sales tax revenue has fallen by 10.9%, excluding the newly enacted sales tax collected on residential energy. Unfortunately, collections have been consistently weak each quarter and have NOT SHOWN ANY SIGNS OF IMPROVEMENT. IF SALES TAX COLLECTIONS DO NOT IMPROVE FROM THE CURRENT RATE OF DECLINE, THE COUNTY WILL FALL-SHORT OF ITS REVISED FY 2009 SALES TAX TARGET BY APPROXIMATELY $40 MILLION."

(Blogger's note: since when is $40 million inconsequential to Newsday News? Funny how that deficit might disappear with a 4.5% Property tax hike after the election)

"Even if collections for the remainder of FY 2009 strengthen to negative 3% (compared to the same period last year), the County would miss its revised sales tax revenue target by almost $20 million. This would translate into a year-over-year decline of almost 8% compared to Y 2008 and would impact the County's ability to use current year resources to close projected gaps in FY 2010."

"The remaining three months, including the holiday shopping season, will be determinative with approximately 40% of the overall receipts yet to be collected."

(Blogger's note: do you need more evidence the media, especially Newsday, is in the tank for Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi?)

What more evidence do the taxpayers from Nassau County require to show how time and time again, Newsday News Editor John Mancini has shielded Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi and the Nassau County Democrats from appropriate political criticism regarding their performance as elected officials for most of the last eight years but especially the last two years.

The last two years have seen Nassau County resort to discredited practices such as borrowing money to pay ceriorari - $80 million last year; deaths that reflected decisions by the Suozzi Administration; Jdmytai Damour lost his life working at Walmart on Black Friday 2008. Nassau County relies on businesses such as Walmart to collect almost $1 billion in Sales Tax Revenues but had no money for Police on Black Friday? The busiest shopping day of the year?

The Suozzi Administration eliminated dedicated Nassau County Police Patrols at the Valley Stream Mall to save money before this tragedy occurred. The Suozzi Administration eliminated 46 dedicated people from the Department of Social Services only to see a destabilized Theresa Brewer murder her three children in New Cassel.

The same Suozzi who told the World that he Tom Suozzi fixed Nassau County financial problems is now in denial and just hoping they will go away. Suozzi persists in retaining an additional 280 non-civil service / patronage positions (Total 428) at a cost of $30 million a year when you include Health Insurance but has no money for DSS and Police?

Just imagine it is November 4, 2009 and Ed Mangano has been elected Nassau County Executive with a Republican Legislature?

The voters always get it right and November 3, 2009 will shock folks. First - political repudiation followed by repudiation of the supporters.

When the Dolan family realizes that Newsday once had a subscription base of 800,000 and now struggles to have 300,000 - just maybe they will hand Mancini his walking papers.

[Pleading Ignorant]

Call me clueless because I don't know their politics (would think they ought to be GOP), but if I were Dolan, I would totally clean house at Newsday and fire most of the left-wingnut scum that write for that rag! It's time we have some balance here on Long Island.

[Unregisteredyerright]

What more evidence do the taxpayers from Nassau County require to show how time and time again, Newsday News Editor John Mancini has shielded Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi and the Nassau County Democrats from appropriate political criticism regarding their performance as elected officials for most of the last eight years but especially the last two years.

The last two years have seen Nassau County resort to discredited practices such as borrowing money to pay ceriorari - $80 million last year; deaths that reflected decisions by the Suozzi Administration; Jdmytai Damour lost his life working at Walmart on Black Friday 2008. Nassau County relies on businesses such as Walmart to collect almost $1 billion in Sales Tax Revenues but had no money for Police on Black Friday? The busiest shopping day of the year?

The Suozzi Administration eliminated dedicated Nassau County Police Patrols at the Valley Stream Mall to save money before this tragedy occurred. The Suozzi Administration eliminated 46 dedicated people from the Department of Social Services only to see a destabilized Theresa Brewer murder her three children in New Cassel.

The same Suozzi who told the World that he Tom Suozzi fixed Nassau County financial problems is now in denial and just hoping they will go away. Suozzi persists in retaining an additional 280 non-civil service / patronage positions (Total 428) at a cost of $30 million a year when you include Health Insurance but has no money for DSS and Police?

Just imagine it is November 4, 2009 and Ed Mangano has been elected Nassau County Executive with a Republican Legislature?

The voters always get it right and November 3, 2009 will shock folks. First - political repudiation followed by repudiation of the supporters.

When the Dolan family realizes that Newsday once had a subscription base of 800,000 and now struggles to have 300,000 - just maybe they will hand Mancini his walking papers.

The one-shot revenue deals have to go, but that means he would have to raise taxes. So which do you want?

[Roger Mudd]

The one-shot revenue deals have to go, but that means he would have to raise taxes. So which do you want?

Hello Unregisteredyerright;315344 - your conclusion that this is a bifurcative path of either choosing one shot deals versus raising taxes is too simplistic.

From where I sit, the decisions made by the Suozzi Administration and blessed by the Nassau County Democrats are like the Reverend Wright said "Chickens coming home to roost"

When viewed with a longer lens of two terms and eight years as Nassau County Executive, Thomas R. Suozzi has gotten a free ride from Newsday, the New York Times and silence from the New York Post and Daily News which have decided not to cover Nassau and Suffolk Counties unless it involves Bill Joel or Christie Brinkley.

Examine the following decisions:
2003-2004 Suozzi led the Legislature to approve not one but two paid lobbyists from his family law firm - Meyer, Suozzi, English and Klein to allegedly represent Nassau County in Washington D.C. and Albany at a cost of $225,000 a year to Nassau Taxpayers. Isn't that covered by our elected officials?
2004 - Suozzi and David Mejias provide more than $150 million to six political backers through the aegis of the Nassau Industrial Development Agency. Deal was covered soup to nuts by the New York Times when they were working for Eliot Spitzer. This is the last critical piece written about Suozzi from the Times, Post, Daily News or Newsday.
2005 - Suozzi claims he has solved Nassau County's Financial Problems.
2006 - Suozzi foolishly runs for Governor and uses more than $1 million from the Nassau County Treasury funded by taxpayers to lavish "performance bonuses" on select Nassau County Employees. The criteria is alleged if you worked on Suozzi's failed Gubernatorial campaign, you got a bonus.
2007 - Suozzi takes his eye off the ball, stops paying attention to the fiscal crisis that is underway - continues to spend Nassau monies like a drunken sailor.
2007 - Suozzi orchestrates bailout of Glen Cove where Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro and Glen Cove resident also, takes over the Glen Cove Water facilities at a cost of $90 million to Nassau Taxpayers. ($6 million a year for 15 years)
2008 - In the face of severe economic uncertainty, Suozzi agrees to a seven year labor deal with the Nassau County CSEA that costs taxpayers as mucha as $50 million annually. Deciding to suspend the reality of a looming Operating Budget deficit, Suozzi is forced to go back to the CSEA and seek retirements instead of layoffs and then bonds for the $110 million to pay of the retirees.
(How much did Suozzi receive in political contributions from the CSEA members?)

Now the U.S.A. is in a new economic paradigm, high unemployment, compressed wages, high forecolsures, and Nassau County is suffering. In hindsight, Suozzi's decisions appear to be very short-sighted and full of political self interest.

[Roger Mudd]

Read this week's edition of The Long Island Press!

http://www.longislandpress.com/2009/...balancing-act/

The LI Press has distinguished itself through the simple fidelity to jounalistic principles and ethics. Bravo to the LI Press!

Shame on Newsday, the NY Post and the Daily News! The word is that the NY Post has agreed to stay silent on critical matters in Long Island because the News Corp relies on Newsday to deliver the Wall Street Journal.

Let's see if citizens reading the LI Press will respond by supporting Mangano?