Click Here for 2005 State of the County Address

Levittown, NY -- Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi last night touted the County's dramatic financial recovery in his fourth annual State of the County address, while outlining his plans to keep property taxes down, his vision for a "New Suburbia", and the County's continuing need to change. He also pledged to work as hard as he can so there would be NO county property-tax increases for 2006.

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi delivers his fourth annual State of the County address

"The biggest issue we face is ever-rising property taxes. School taxes, which make up 65 percent of the taxes we pay, seem to rise each year. County taxes, which this legislature and I levy, make up another 15 percent to 20 percent, and town and village taxes, which make up the remaining 15 percent to 20 percent, are together placing an enormous strain on every family. New business and young college graduates are discouraged from locating here and the seniors who moved here when suburbia first began fifty or sixty years ado are now house rich, but income poor and are especially hurting. Everything I do as County Executive is guided by a constant thought. 'How do we keep property taxes down?'" said County Executive Suozzi.

In addition he honored the parents and families of four Nassau County servicemen who died while fighting for freedom in Iraq. He also talked of new Smart Government Initiatives, a vision for the Nassau Hub, called for bi-partisan cooperation; and detailed an aggressive Albany agenda, which includes Medicaid reform, a continued fight against crime and gangs, his comprehensive Real Estate Consolidation plan, and his new "Nassau County Parks are Making a Comeback Campaign".

The County Executive also honored the recipient of the third annual Nassau County Theodore Roosevelt Award for Achievement, Monsignor Thomas J. Hartman for his work raising awareness and millions of dollars for research to find a cure for Parkinson 's disease.

"Our County is stronger than it has been in over a decade and we are now prepared to face our future with strength and with confidence," County Executive Suozzi said. "We have received eight bond upgrades, the most of any municipality in the nation, within a one and half year period and we are now rated in the 'A' ranks by Moody's, Fitch, and Standard and Poor's for the first time in over 12 years, and, most importantly, we will not raise taxes in 2006."

The County Executive also noted that Nassau County now has the lowest crime of any municipality of its size, declining every year and now at the lowest in 30 years. County Executive Suozzi highlighted his administration's continued commitment to public safety and added that two weeks ago Nassau County graduated the largest class of police cadets in over 10 years and last Friday, swore in another 142 recruits, the two largest consecutive classes in over a decade.

In addition, County Executive Suozzi added that he has appointed veteran Police Inspector Bob Turk to a new post as Chair of the Nassau County Task Force Against Gangs. The Task Force is a government-community partnership established to coordinate Nassau's anti-gang strategies which combine tough law enforcement and smart social work.

Suozzi also discussed his comprehensive Real Estate Consolidation plan that will not be funded by taxpayer dollars but by the sale of surplus property and efficiencies that will be generated by the consolidation.

Suozzi boasted of the County's new "No Wrong Door" Program which is designed to provide better Health and Human Services to County residents at a lower cost. By consolidating separate agencies that once never communicated into one location, by sharing support services, and by creating communication and technology links from department to department, HHS clients will no longer have to go from one County government office to another and get lost in a maze of bureaucracy.

The County Executive also highlighted his aggressive "Nassau County Parks are Making a Comeback Campaign" where he pledges a visibly improved and fully functional parks system by May 31st of this year. The plan combines a dramatic restructuring of parks management and organization, committing millions of dollars in new investment, implementing a new inspection program and sound environmental policies

"We are fulfilling the pledge made to the people of Nassau when we first took office, we are facing what needs to be faced and fixing what needs to be fixed," said County Executive Suozzi. "Tonight we are restoring not only crumbling buildings, neglected programs and broken finances. We are working to restore pride in Nassau County, confidence in its government and hope for its future."