Westchester County Lawmakers Adopt Budget for 2014 | Pound Ridge Homes
The Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) approved a 2014 County Budget tonight that includes funding to re-open the low-income Title XX child care program and for support of other social “safety net” programs that protect seniors, at-risk youths and homeowners facing foreclosure.
“This budget represents a commitment to the values and forward-thinking that makes Westchester a special place to live, work and raise a family,” said BOL Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers). “My colleagues on the Board and I understand that it is essential to keep the County taxes down through cost-cutting and smart spending. In fact, our future prosperity depends on it. But we must also remain dedicated to strengthening our communities by helping residents in need. This budget accomplishes all this, and I thank my Board colleagues for their efforts, and thank all those residents and advocates who spoke at the public budget hearings.”
The Title XX child care program has been frozen by County Executive Robert P. Astorino since 2010. For the past three years BOL members have tried to re-open enrollment in the Title XX child care program, but to no avail. In the 2014 Budget, the two caucuses compromised to post an addition of $900,000 that will provide a total of 180 slots for children, who otherwise might be put into programs that are less safe or too expensive.
“We heard from our residents and child care advocates loud and clear that creating more Title XX slots was a priority,” said BOL Majority Leader Pete Harckham. “The approval for this budget plan shows that healthy dialogue and a spirit of compromise can make good things happen. This will help to keep low-income parents working and contributing to Westchester’s economy rather than needing more expensive social services.”
“This budget represents a commitment to the values and forward-thinking that makes Westchester a special place to live, work and raise a family,” said BOL Chairman Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers). “My colleagues on the Board and I understand that it is essential to keep the County taxes down through cost-cutting and smart spending. In fact, our future prosperity depends on it. But we must also remain dedicated to strengthening our communities by helping residents in need. This budget accomplishes all this, and I thank my Board colleagues for their efforts, and thank all those residents and advocates who spoke at the public budget hearings.”
The Title XX child care program has been frozen by County Executive Robert P. Astorino since 2010. For the past three years BOL members have tried to re-open enrollment in the Title XX child care program, but to no avail. In the 2014 Budget, the two caucuses compromised to post an addition of $900,000 that will provide a total of 180 slots for children, who otherwise might be put into programs that are less safe or too expensive.
“We heard from our residents and child care advocates loud and clear that creating more Title XX slots was a priority,” said BOL Majority Leader Pete Harckham. “The approval for this budget plan shows that healthy dialogue and a spirit of compromise can make good things happen. This will help to keep low-income parents working and contributing to Westchester’s economy rather than needing more expensive social services.”
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