The Nassau County Legislature has unanimously passed the 2024 Nassau County budget, which contains no increase in taxes.
“The zero-tax increase budget is a result of the solid fiscal management policies put into practice by the Legislative Majority and County Executive Bruce Blakeman that has also led to Nassau’s economic condition being in the best in shape in years,” the Majority Caucus, Republicans, wrote in a press release. “Proof of that comes from a recent financial report from the State Comptroller’s Office that placed Nassau County among the top-ranked fiscally sound counties throughout New York State for the second year in a row. Previously, the County’s bond ratings were upgraded to their highest levels since 2005 by two of Wall Street’s leading credit agencies.”
The 2024 budget contained an amendment proposed by the Majority Caucus which adds funding for more police officers and assistant district attorneys, without impacting the no-tax increase budget. In that same press release, the Republican Majority blasted Albany’s bail reform laws as reason to increase funding for police.
“For the last 14 years, the Republican Legislative Majority not only hasn’t raised property taxes in 14 consecutive years but eliminated $70 million from the previous administrations 2022 budget as well as planned tax increases for 2023, 2024, and 2025, resulting in a property tax cut of $200 million, which will be carried through 2027,” the Majority Caucus wrote.
Despite these bold claims by Republicans, the no-tax increase was passed unanimously, with Democrats voting for it as well.
“I made a promise to my constituents that I would hold the line on property taxes, and I’m proud to have cast my vote for a no-tax hike budget,” Legislator Josh Lafazan (D-Woodbury) said. “It is already too expensive to live here on Long Island, and government must be aggressive in reducing taxes and fees to make our county more affordable.”
