Mineola, NY – September 29, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — As Nassau County once again achieves the dubious status of having the second highest property taxes in the United States, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano again vowed not to implement a hefty property tax increase to close a massive deficit facing the County in 2011.
“Nassau County is known across the country as a beautiful place to live, work and raise a family—if you can afford to live here,” said Mangano. “Achieving this ranking is nothing to be proud of. It is further evidence that we are being overtaxed.”
The top 10 highest-taxed counties in the United States are either in New York or New Jersey. Suffolk is ranked 11th.
“Last week, I unveiled a budget proposal that avoided a 43% tax hike that would be necessary to close this devastating gap in our budget caused by years of mismanagement and waste,” said Mangano. “I will not take the easy way out by hiking property taxes. It is time for our government to lead the people out of these difficult times without making them pay every step of the way.”
Mangano has proposed structural reforms to close the deficit, including ending the “County Guarantee,” reforming Nassau County’s Sewer District, and ordering $60 million in savings from the County’s labor unions. Mangano has also decreased the County’s number of employees to its lowest level since 1950.
“Year after year, Nassau winds up at the top of these lists,” said Mangano. “I cannot, in good conscience, help propel us to the top spot. There are no easy answers. It is time for shared sacrifice throughout the County.”
