As a Legislator I have seen firsthand how Nassau County has taken a wrong turn under the present Mangano administration. I have served on the Legislature for 18 years.
When I first became a legislator in 1996, this county was suffering through bad decisions which landed the county one level above junk bond status. Four years later, the Democrats won the majority on the Legislature and did two things immediately. First, as Presiding Officer, I went to Albany to ask for an oversight board (NIFA was formed three months later) and, secondly working with NIFA, our Democratic majority began to stop the “bleeding”
Two years later, Tom Suozzi was elected Nassau County Executive. Together, with the Democratic majority, we cut the debt, reduced the borrowing and had 13 straight bond upgrades, the most of any municipality in the country during that time. Tom put us on solid fiscal footing and had a vision for the long-term future of Nassau.
Under this present Mangano administration, our debt has risen to $3.5 billion, the highest in the county’s history. Fortunately, if not for the fiscal responsibility demonstrated by the Democratic majority this administration would have borrowed an additional $1 billion. Our bond ratings have been downgraded three times and NIFA has morphed into a control board and has taken over the county.
Why should you care about borrowing? That is an easy question. We are leaving our children and grandchildren with staggering debt as a result. You would not run your house in this way and you certainly should not expect your county to be run so irresponsibly.
Nassau County needs a proven leader at the helm once again. Someone who will repair and restore our finances without passing insurmountable debt to future generations. Tom Suozzi has done this before along with the Democratic majority and I am confident he has the experience and dedication to do it again.
That is why I am asking you to join with me in supporting Tom Suozzi in the Democratic primary for an easy reason. He is the best candidate to reduce the debt and help restore our quality of life.
Judy Jacobs
Nassau County Legislator
Former Presiding Officer
