Burke makes his case for county legislature

To the editor: The current county executive and his legislative majority have ignored the most pressing issue for Monroe voters: the rising school tax. I have proposed that one quarter of one per cent of the present Orange County sales be set aside for assisting the school districts, including Monroe-Woodbury. The county is sitting on a large surplus from sales tax collections. After the school board presents its annual budget, the sales tax money would be applied by the county to selected items in the school budget. The school tax levy on property owners would be reduced dollar for dollar by the sales tax. In return, the county legislature would receive audit reports from the school district. The legislature would make recommendations on savings and waste in the school budget. This would open the school budget process to public participation by all voters. New audits by State Comptroller Alan Hevesi found $11 million missing in Nassau County. I need the voters of Monroe to go to Row B, vote for Dan Burke, and send me to the Orange County Legislature. Then I will need the support of taxpayers to demand that this tax relief become law. We must open county government to full public participation. Send me to Goshen and you will tell the present majority that you are tired of their closed, business as usual. Send them a message. Dan Burke Democratic candidate for County Legislator District # 7