Mangano Announces New Round of Layoffs

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano announced another round of county job cuts Tuesday amidst an ongoing feud between Republicans and Democrats in the Nassau Legislature.

According to Newsday [paid link], although no timetable has been set on when the layoffs would take place, Nassau budget director Eric Naughton told department officials to prepare lists of positions that can be cut.

In a memo, Naughton called for departments to cut 3.5 percent from their 2012 labor expenses, though he didn't detail the total savings.

The county executive spoke with Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) Chairman Ron Stack Monday with respect to the Legislature's failure to grant Mangano the authority to borrow $41 million to pay for tax refunds from 2011.

"NIFA and I developed a fiscal stabilization plan for Nassau that held the line on property taxes while ending the county's reliance on borrowing," Mangano said Monday before announcing the layoffs. "It's unfortunate that Democrat leaders derailed this plan and put politics ahead of our resident's best interests. Working together, NIFA and I will do all in our power to address today’s actions in a responsible manner while protecting taxpayers."

In regards to the legislature's rejection of the $41 million borrowing plan, Newsday reported:

The vote was 10-9 along party lines. Because borrowing requires 13 votes, three Democrats would have had to join the 10-member GOP majority. Democrats say they won't approve any new borrowing without a legislative redistricting plan that is "fairer" than one that Republicans have proposed.

The most recent round of layoffs comes after Mangano laid off 130 workers in June 2011 and another 260 workers in December 2011.

Meadowbrook Women's Initiative Awards $35,000 in Grants

Meadowbrook Women's Initiative (MWI) awarded grants totaling $35,000 to the Hofstra University Medical School, the Long Island Crisis Center, located in Bellmore, and the LI Head Injury Association, located in Hauppauge, in a ceremony held June 27 at Temple Chaverim in Plainview.

The grants represent an increase of 75 percent over the contributions MWI made in 2010 and 2011. The presentations were followed by the installation of a new president, Barbara Goldstein, of Plainview, with Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs (16th LD), of Woodbury, officiating.

All of MWI's donations are locally based. Hofstra's medical school, affiliated with the North Shore/LIJ hospital system, opened in August 2011 and receives an annual grant from MWI; this year's donation of $14,000 will provide a summer scholarship for a student to work in a medical clinic or inner-city hospital that can't afford to pay a salary.

The other two charities change every year, based on nominations by members and vetting by MWI's philanthropy committee. LICC and LIHIA will each receive $10,500.

Further information about MWI's mission and activities can be found on its website.