Nassau County's budget problem seems to have caught some off guard. With a strong local and state economy, that have resulted in surpluses in other municipalities within New York, it begs the question why not in Nassau. Nassau County, which has a tax base of more than $96 billion per a 1997 report on Nassau's municipal affairs, is operating seriously in the red. Some analysts say that Nassau's deficit could exceed well over $200 million. This may cause Nassau's bond rating to be downgraded making it once again more expensive for the county to borrow; which as of 1997 had total debt oustanding of over $3 billion. For years, Nassau County has relied upon short term borrowing and "one shot deals" like hopeful county land sales; an over reliance on sales tax revenue; and deals like the $70 million advance received from the MTA in exchange for the $140 million Nassau will pay for railroad improvements in order to balance the county's books. These tactics coupled with the recent health-care fiasco affecting public employees and retirees and which may cause Nassau an additional non-budgeted $45 million, demands we immediately implement real fiscal reform.

It's time to end the demagoguery which ensures a permanent stalemate on this issue. Nassau must live within its means. We have to ensure that county spending and past fiscal practices do not result in tax increases on the already overburdened middle class taxpayer and local business owners. The time has come for the legislature to act in a courageous manner and implement real fiscal reform in Nassau County. It's time to end Nassau's historical fiscal practices and address the county's bloated deficit and its ever increasing debt levels. Nassau needs fiscal reform that results in a budget that is not overly optimistic in revenue generation, but one that can be supported by real numbers, is reasonable, and yes - can be defended to the taxpayers as finally being fiscally sound.