1 Percent Tax Cut In Proposed Westchester Budget

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP/WCBS 880) -- A suburban politician who was elected on a promise not to raise taxes has gone a little bit further. Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino has proposed a 2011 budget that would cut county property taxes by 1 percent.

WCBS 880's Catherine Cioffi reports

The $1.786 billion budget would require 226 layoffs of county employees, Astorino said. He said the cost of labor contracts is more than taxpayers can pay.

Astorino projected a 4 percent increase in revenue from the county sales tax, which went up this year after plunging in 2009.

The budgeted amount for social services is the same as this year. Two underused homeless shelters and two swimming pools are to be closed. The Playland amusement park would remain open.

The county Legislature must approve a budget by Dec. 27.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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