The Town of North Hempstead has had its bond rating raised to Aa3 by Moody's Investor Services. Aa3 is Moody's second highest rating and Moody's praised the town's "conservative financial management practices" in explaining the upgrade.

Nassau County has very recently had its bond rating raised to Baa2 by Moody's, a show of support for the county's new leadership and its fiscal performance. The upgrade is the county's first from Moody's in over 15 years.

These bond rating upgrades translate into lower borrowing costs and higher savings for the taxpayer. Kudos and a job well done to Town Supervisor May Newburger, her administration and the town board in North Hempstead and to County Executive Tom Suozzi, his administration and the legislature's majority in Nassau. Their performance shows that the Democratic Party is watching out for the public interest, fighting back from the damage done by the sweetheart deals, one-shots and poor fiscal management of the Republican Party.

There is still work to do and much of it in local Republican strongholds where no-bid contracting and cronyism still run rampant. But the Democratic Party is on the job watching out for the public interest and neutral ratings agencies and NIFA have noticed. I hope that the voters, regardless of party affiliation, remember this excellent showing of fiscal responsibility by the Democrats when it comes time to vote in local and county elections.

Thomas Sobczak, Jr.