Permit me to put in context what you may have heard or read about Nassau County's fiscal health.

During the past six years Nassau County has realized two years of small surpluses, and three years of small shortfalls, none of which exceeded 1.4 percent compared to the overall budget. Even the 1998 fiscal year, when adjusted for anticipated revenues that are actually being received in 1999, is only at about a 1.3 percent variation from the overall budget.

Nassau consistently underspends appropriated budgeted funds. The problem is not overspending, but rather revenue shortfalls or revenue being received too late to be booked in the fiscal year for which it was budgeted. We will deal with the issue of Nassau County's fiscal health in a responsible and professional fashion. Collectively, with the members of this Legislature and our county comptroller, we will ensure Nassau County's fiscal health.

Let's look at the record.

Nassau county has cut or frozen the general county property tax for seven consecutive years. While cutting and freezing the general property tax, Nassau County's crime rate has been cut to a 29 year low. In addition, Nassau County's unemployment rate has reached a 25 year low at 2.2 percent. That unemployment is virtually the lowest in the state and one of the lowest in the nation. Further, we have succeeded in cutting Nassau County's home relief welfare rolls by 53 percent, saving millions of tax dollars for our taxpayers. These achievements have been recognized nationally in surveys that have cited Nassau County as one of the finest places in the nation in which to live.

We have been able to implement those programs that have brought about these outstanding results on behalf of our taxpayers while shrinking the size of government and cutting and freezing the general county property tax for seven consecutive years by accessing non-recurring revenues ( a revenue that rightfully belongs to our taxpayers, but may not recur in future years).

According to the National Association of Counties, Nassau County has reduced the size of government by the largest percentage of any suburban county of comparable size in the nation. In fact, since the beginning of this administration and with the implementation of the Public Benefit Corporation, the number of public employees in county government has been cut by 45 percent.

Since increasing property taxes should always be a last resort, we opted wherever possible to fund programs through non-recurring revenues, rather than to further burden our homeowners and businesses by increasing property taxes.

We can all agree that the property tax is one of the most onerous taxes imposed upon our homeowners and businesses. Nassau County only controls 19 percent of all property taxes paid by our residents, the balance being assessed by school districts, towns, villages and special districts over which the county has no control.

I make no apologies for cutting and freezing Nassau County's property taxes for seven consecutive years. As long as I am privileged to serve as county executive, we will always seek responsible alternatives to the property tax. Increasing the property tax will always be the last resort.

It is important to understand that 70 percent of Nassau County's budget is mandated by state and federal law. Consequently, my efforts and that of our Legislators to cut taxpayer costs are relegated to only 30 percent of the county budget. Governor Pataki has rightfully urged a constitutional amendment that would require state mandates to be fully funded with state dollars.

Our County Comptroller Fred Parola, our Legislative majority leader Bruce Blakeman and I are forging a long term fiscal plan that is designed to reduce short-term and long-term county obligations, cut taxpayers spending and reduce reliance upon non-recurring revenues. With the adoption of this fiscal plan, we will be able to freeze the general county property tax for the eighth consecutive year and ensure Nassau County's fiscal health.