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KATONAH, N.Y. – On the morning after Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino’s State of the County address, Legislator Peter Harckham (D-Katonah) said, “Rob always gives a nice speech. But three years in, he needs to be talking about more substantial issues than prom dresses.”
In response to Astorino’s announcement of a new seven-year contract with the Teamsters union, which he described as “a breakthrough agreement” and “fair to our taxpayers,” Harckham said that even though the union agreed county employees will pay 10 percent of their health insurance costs, “you’ll see, if you look at the contract, that they’re getting a 12 percent raise. So it’s not a win-win for the taxpayers.”
Harckham referred to the unfunded state mandates cited by Astorino and said, “We’ve been fighting this all along. If you look at Medicaid alone, it’s 40 percent of the county tax budget. The county executive said he would slash that. I’m glad he’s joined the chorus, but that’s nothing new.”
With reference to capital projects, Harckham said, “Astorino’s got $51 million in capital projects that we, the board, have already passed, but he hasn’t taken any action.”
As for an additional $29 million mentioned by Astorino, Harckham said, “We’re totally committed to investing in our facilities, but we still need to review them.”
Comments (5)
Another career Politician wasting tax payers hard earn money
while doing political favors for all of his cronies. Hey peter why
not get a real job enstead of ripping off us tax payers each day?
Ken Jenkins and the "Democrat Response" which aired on channel 12 immediately after the speech should have put chills down the spine of every northern Westchester parent and taxpayer, no matter party-affiliation.
With housing prices continuing to plummet in the what remains the highest taxed county in the US, the Democrat majority leader assured his constituents not to worry about Mr. Astorino's attempts at reform. According to Mr. Jenkins, the County, which saw its credit outlook downgraded this year by Moody's, is on a "solid finncial footing." In fact, he knows that Westchester managed to cling to its current bond rating only because of an arcane law that makes northern Westchester towns guarantors of the collection of their county taxes.
Spend, Spend, Spend. No wonder that each election cycle the CSEA union workers are out there making organized calls for Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Harkham and their cohort.
In response to Astorino’s announcement of a new seven-year contract with the Teamsters union, which he described as “a breakthrough agreement” and “fair to our taxpayers,” Harckham said that even though the union agreed county employees will pay 10 percent of their health insurance costs, “you’ll see, if you look at the contract, that they’re getting a 12 percent raise. So it’s not a win-win for the taxpayers.” says Peter Harckham.
Now The TRUTH:
12 % increase is for the entire 7 year contract. The 10% contribution is per year and will rise to 12.5 % in 2015. All new hires will pay 20% per year.
As the saying goes" Figures can lie and liars can figure". Peter Harckham you are the latter.
Peter Harckham still the water boy for the down county Democrats led by Ken Jenkins. When will you represent the people of Northern Westchester?
Harchham is too busy spending our tax dollars and wasting millions every year.
Do nothing for the people, thats exactly what this career politician does...... Nothing !!!
He talks about electic companies and having back up power when people had no power
for 7 days last year before power was finally restored. What did Mr. Harckham do about
it then? Nothing. Did he ever cut taxes? The answer is NO. Has he ever reduced spending?
The answer is NO. Has Mr. Harckham ever reduced all of his personal expenditures over the
four years in office? The answer is NO. Do we really need this guy representing us? NO