For the second consecutive year, New York State legislators have delivered an on-time budget.

Lawmakers from the Massapequa area were quick to point out the benefits for local taxpayers.

Assemblyman Joseph Saladino said that a significant increase in state aid for Nassau County is included in the budget.

The Towns of Oyster Bay and Hempstead, he said, will each receive a 19.96 percent increase in municipal aid over the current year. In dollar amounts, the Town of Oyster Bay will receive over $1,722,000.

"This state aid will be beneficial to the residents of our district," said Saladino. "With this aid provided by the state, the residents of Oyster Bay will not have to face the unfortunate burden of higher town property taxes."

Also included in the budget are what Saladino terms are record increases in state school aid. Saladino praised his fellow Massapequa lawmaker, State Senator Charles Fuschillo for assisting in such expenditures.

"The taxpayers of our district have clearly felt the pinch of spiraling taxes," Saladino said. "The Senators and I have made property tax relief our number one priority and this news proves it."

The budget, Saladino added, will contain several tax relief measures aimed at local homeowners. He noted that some outcomes of the budget agreement include:

* $805 million in property tax rebates this year and $960 in 2007-08, totaling $1,765 billion;

* Providing $72 million in cost-of-living increases in senior STAR for this year and next - STAR rebates will range from $300 to $800 depending on the homeowner's age and particular property tax levy.

* Elimination of the State sales tax on clothing under $110.

* Several other measures, including a child tax credit of $300 for children ages 4-17, ultimately accumulate to nearly $4 billion worth of tax cuts over two years.

"The only way that established Long Islanders can keep their homes and that first-time homebuyers can afford to stay is through sweeping tax reforms," Saladino claimed. "I am happy that we are beginning to bring relief at all levels of government, from the state to county, to school districts. We must cut back and respect the taxpayer. Long Islanders must be rewarded for all they pay each year."

Concerning Massapequa, Senator Fuschillo said that the budget agreement includes over $333,000 in increased state aid for the Village of Massapequa Park to help reduce taxes.

"One of our top priorities during the budget process was to provide tax relief for our residents," Fuschillo said. "In addition to creating $4.1 billion in tax savings for individual residents, it was important to provide localities with additional aid to help lower taxes. This funding will help the Village of Massapequa Park offset some of its expenses without having to resort to a tax increase."