Mineola, NY - Legislator Jeffrey Toback (D-Oceanside) and Majority Democrats are calling it a victory for the "county's most vulnerable citizens," as they announced today the restoration of $600,000 in cuts made to the County's Youth Board agencies. The agencies, which assist the county's youth, were cut by 10% in the County Executive's proposed 2003 budget. The Democrats will be putting forth an amendment to the budget to restore full funding to the agencies, while cutting over $600,000 from other departments.

"These programs and the people they affect mean too much to the Democrats of this caucus to allow them to be decimated," said Legislator Toback. "We have reached an agreement with County Executive Thomas Suozzi to come up with alternative lines in this budget to cut so we may leave the youth board programs whole."

The restoration of the funds will be offset by over $600,000 in cuts from other areas, such as slashing several vacant, funded positions, further reducing the use of outside counsel in the County Attorneys' office and requiring ordinanced employees to pay a portion of their health insurance premiums.

Youth advocates were pleased with the news of the restoration.

"It's a great day for the children and youth in our community," said Peter Visconti, Assistant Director of the Five Towns Community Center. "Jeff has always been an advocate for the community center."

During the past month Democrats have voiced their displeasure with the 10% cut to youth board programs, stating that it was "unacceptable."

"During the budget review process this past month we have made the restoration of these cuts a top priority," said Legislator Toback. "I believe we have managed to keep the County Executive's budget fiscally sound, while not causing any undue suffering to the youth of this county."

The restoration is offset by $671,435 in cuts to the following four areas:

• Elimination of $300,000 in outside legal contracts from the County Attorney's Office. Savings-$300,000
• Elimination of $143,050 for two funded vacancies in the Corrections Center
• Elimination of $132,750 for two funded vacancies in the Department of Investigations.
• The reduction of $95,635 from a chauffeur's salary in the District Attorney's Office that was erroneously stated in the proposed budget.

The Legislature approved the amendment and passed the budget on October 28, 2002.