News & Events

HAUPPAUGE, NY – Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine today unveiled his 2026 Recommended Operating Budget, a comprehensive financial plan that sustains essential services, strengthens public safety, protects Suffolk’s environment, and safeguards the county’s long-term financial health.

The $4.3 billion budget complies fully with New York State’s property tax cap and local charter requirements, while addressing the challenges of limited sales tax growth and broader economic uncertainty.

“This budget strikes the right balance between fiscal discipline and forward-thinking investments,” said County Executive Romaine. “It protects the services our residents depend on, strengthens our public safety and environmental protection efforts, and manages taxpayer dollars responsibly. Our mission is clear: to make Suffolk County safer, stronger, and more affordable.”

Highlights of the 2026 Recommended Operating Budget

Enhancing Public Safety

• Funding is included for new classes of Police Officers, Deputy Sheriffs, Probation Officers, and Correction Officers to ensure that Suffolk’s law enforcement agencies remain fully staffed and prepared to serve the public.
• The Suffolk County Police Department will continue expanding its efforts to improve roadway safety through its Street Takeover Task Force and enhanced drugged-driving prevention training. Its state-of-the-art Crime Analysis Center will serve as an intelligence hub linking local, state, and federal partners.
• The Sheriff’s Office will continue modernizing operations with advanced investigative technology, a new county-wide records management system, and the expansion of the Sheriff’s Addiction Treatment Program and Sheriff’s Transition and Reentry Team.
• The District Attorney’s Office will continue funding major initiatives, including the Fentanyl Task Force, the East End Drug Task Force, the Fatal Overdose Analysis Team, and Suffolk’s first-ever Cold Case Task Force. These programs target drug traffickers, gangs, and violent criminals, while bringing justice to families affected by unsolved crimes.

“Keeping Suffolk County safe has always been and will always remain our top priority,” said Romaine. “We are investing in the people, the tools, and the technology needed to protect our residents and reduce crime. Suffolk County now has the lowest violent crime rate of any county in New York with more than one million residents—and this budget will help us keep it that way.”

Protecting Water Quality

• A new dedicated 1/8 percent of one percent sales tax, approved by Suffolk voters in 2024, will fund long-term wastewater and sewer infrastructure improvements.
• These funds will be used to expand and upgrade sewer systems, modernize treatment plants, and support programs that help homeowners replace outdated septic systems with advanced technology.
• Beginning January 1, 2026, all county sewer districts will be consolidated into a single wastewater management district, streamlining operations and strengthening oversight.

“With this budget, we are protecting our drinking water and our bays, rivers, and beaches,” Romaine said. “Generations of Suffolk residents will benefit from these long-term investments in clean water, a healthy environment, and a sustainable future.”

Strengthening Services for Families and Children

• The Department of Social Services has made major strides in reducing Child Protective caseloads, with case workers now averaging 10 investigations each—well below state benchmarks.
• SNAP (food assistance) applications are now being processed on time, with Suffolk meetings exceeding the federal 95% compliance threshold every month in 2025.
• Services for Children with Special Needs—including preschool special education, early intervention, and related therapies—will continue to expand to meet growing demand.

Managing Rising Costs

• Pension costs will rise by $20.5 million in 2026 due to state-mandated contribution increases.
• Employee health care costs continue to be a challenge, particularly the rapid rise in costs for new prescription drugs. Suffolk is addressing these pressures with plan design changes, savings from a new administrator, and the use of fund balances to stabilize rates.

Fiscal Responsibility and Reserves

• Since 2022, Suffolk has used its reserve funds to offset $295 million in settlement and capital debt, saving taxpayers nearly $100 million in interest costs.
• The county continues to maintain strong reserves to cushion against economic downturns or unforeseen events, ensuring long-term fiscal stability.

Improving Efficiency and Service Delivery

• The Transportation Division will be transferred to the Department of Economic Development and Planning, consolidating oversight of Suffolk County Transit, Gabreski Airport, and other transportation initiatives. This will modernize services, improve efficiency, and strengthen regional transit planning.
• Seasonal EMT services at county parks and beaches will be transferred to the Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services, ensuring streamlined training, scheduling, and emergency response.
• The Parks Department will add new forestry positions to protect more than 60,000 acres of parkland, improve fire prevention, and strengthen climate resilience.
• County government will digitize critical records, reducing costs, improving efficiency, and freeing up valuable space while strengthening cybersecurity safeguards.

“This budget is about responsible government that delivers results,” Romaine said. “From strengthening our law enforcement agencies to protecting clean water and improving services for families, we are building a county that is safer, stronger, and more affordable for everyone who calls Suffolk home.”

The Recommended Operating Budget will now be submitted to the Suffolk County Legislature for review and adoption.

(Hauppauge, NY) – Suffolk County Comptroller John M. Kennedy, Jr. is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of fiscal responsibility. To that end, he partnered with three+one, a financial data provider, to ensure that County funds are properly collateralized in accordance with NYS General Municipal Law § 10.

As a result of the Comptroller’s efforts, an automated collateral reporting process is now in place. It enables Suffolk County to verify the appropriate insurance and protection of public funds on a bimonthly basis. The frequent updates allow the Comptroller to confirm that millions of taxpayer dollars are secured across each County department, even when new accounts are opened.

Since the implementation of this strategic monitoring system, all participating banks have remained in compliance with State laws regarding the safeguarding of taxpayer dollars. The benefits of this program include enhanced security and improved visibility into Suffolk County’s financial standing.

Comptroller Kennedy stated, “I would like to thank my dedicated staff and three+one for their diligence in making this important endeavor a reality. As always, I extend my gratitude to County Executive Edward Romaine for his strong support of the Department of Audit and Control. I take my responsibility to protect the economic well-being of Suffolk County Taxpayers very seriously. This collateral initiative significantly strengthens the County’s financial security.”
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Proposal will save hundreds of millions of gallons of water

HAUPPAUGE, NY – Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and local officials announced on Thursday, December 5, a project for sewage effluent reuse at Bergen Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plan involves using treated effluent to irrigate the adjacent golf course and in the plant’s internal workings.

“This is one of ten county wastewater treatment plants that we are currently considering for water reuse,” said Romaine. “By utilizing what otherwise would have been a byproduct, we can decrease the pressure on our aquifer by hundreds of millions of gallons a year and even help recharge the aquifer.”

The project is based on Riverhead’s successful implementation at a town-owned wastewater treatment plant and golf course. Estimated to be in service within the next 18-24 months at Bergen Point, the reuse system is estimated to save 20 million gallons of water per year on irrigation alone. In addition, the internal plant mechanisms utilizing reuse water can save up to approximately two million gallons of per day.

“This project pilot will let Bergen Point be known for helping water quantity, as well as water quality. This is a great step forward to see if we can effectively take the wastewater and, instead of letting it flow into the ocean, use the effluent for irrigation and other purposes to help recharge the aquifer and reduce the nitrates in our water. I thank the County Executive and hope all these planned projects will work together to improve Suffolk’s water quality,” said Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey (LD-14).

“Moving forward, we need to do more recharging and water reuse. Bergen Point is just one of many sites where a golf course is close to a treatment plant. But golf course irrigation is just one example of ways in which we are now moving forward together, the Legislature and County Executive, to reduce the pollutants, replenish the aquifer, and improve our water quality,” said Deputy Presiding Officer Steven Flotteron (LD-11).

“It is great to work with County Executive Ed Romaine and his team of expert professionals on important water quality initiatives. I thank him for his continued commitment to the health and well-being of the residents of Suffolk County,” said Legislator Tom Donnelly (LD-17).

"The success of the Riverhead Sewage Treatment Plant's Water Reuse Program, which was a pilot and has been in place since 2015, has been phenomenal.  Suffolk County plans to build on this success with water reuse at the Bergen Point Sewage Treat Plant, partnering with the Bergen Point Golf Course next door. With the passing of Proposition 2 by the voters in November, the funding for infrastructure improvements exists.  With that comes the possibility of more water reuse projects throughout the County, which is an exciting prospect," said Legislator Ann Welker (LD-2).

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Suffolk County Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Proposition 2

HAUPPAUGE, NY – Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine applauded the passage of Proposition 2 as part of the Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act to improve water quality and fund long term investments in clean water systems and technologies. The proposition passed with more than 71 percent of the vote.

“Clean water is essential to the long-term viability of our region. I applaud the voters for prioritizing the need to protect our bays and our drinking water,” said Romaine. “With the passage of this referendum, we will begin to lay the foundation to enhance sewer projects and clean water infrastructure in Suffolk County.” 

“With Prop 2’s overwhelming approval, Suffolk County can now embark on a long-term plan to expand and upgrade Suffolk’s aging wastewater infrastructure and establish a new, stable, and long-term funding source for wastewater improvement projects,” said Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey. “A yes vote was good science, good economics, and good sense. This is a proud moment for the County, and for my colleagues and the stakeholders who made it happen."

The Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act was signed into law by the County Executive and approved by the Suffolk County Legislature and New York State earlier this year but was contingent on voter approval.

The bill will extend the existing one-quarter percent sales tax that funds water quality initiatives and establish a new one-eighth percent sales to modernize sewers and fund critical wastewater infrastructure in Suffolk County.

The funding mechanism goes into effect in March 2025 and is expected to generate $49 million in 2025. Funds will be available for use beginning in 2026.

The act is projected to generate nearly $3 billion in clean water infrastructure funds through 2060 with an even distribution towards sewer projects and Innovative and Alternative On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A Systems).

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October 17, 2024, Hauppauge, New York

After a two-year absence from the capital markets, Suffolk County, New York hosted a successful sale of $164,415,000 Public Improvement Serial Bonds - 2024 Series A, earlier today. The bonds were sold at competitive sale and received bids totaling $1.973 billion from a dozen different banks and broker/dealers.

Following the sale, Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy commented “We were very pleased with the results of today’s sale. Investors showed strong support for our bond issue and the winning bid of 3.39% from Jefferies, LLC was even better than what was projected for an 18-year issue.” 

Kennedy added that credit rating upgrades earlier this year by both Fitch Ratings and S&P Global gave investors added confidence that the County had come through the pandemic stronger than ever.  Proceeds from the sale of the bonds will be used to fund over 200 projects, County-wide, including roads, sewers, parks, open space acquisition and other infrastructure improvements. The bonds are scheduled to be delivered to investors on October 30th.

Contact: Suffolk County Comptroller’s Office (631-853-5040)
John M. Kennedy, Jr., Comptroller

HAUPPAUGE, NY--Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced Fitch Ratings has upgraded Suffolk County to an A bond rating, the second rating agency to do so since he has taken office. Fitch noted the County “implementing operating efficiencies” and “budgeting tax revenues more conservatively” as reasons for the rating boost.

“This sets the stage for future upgrades as we continue to budget responsibly while we ‘right-size’ government and deliver the services expected by the residents of Suffolk County,” said Romaine. “The rating increase will save millions of taxpayer dollars over the long term based on the County’s newfound ability to sell bonds at a decreased interest rate.”

The bond rating comes days after Romaine’s 2025 Proposed Operating Budget was submitted to the Suffolk County Legislature. In February, S&P Global Ratings upgraded Suffolk County’s general obligation (GO) bonds outstanding to AA- from A+ with a stable outlook.

Fitch’s decision is in part due to the “county's continued budgetary stability and maintenance of a sound reserve position,” which may eventually increase another fiscal metric employed by Fitch, the County’s ‘resilience assessment.’

According to Fitch, by reversing a past “trend of structural budgetary imbalances” and using non-recurring revenues, Romaine has put the County on a better fiscal footing, as reflected in Fitch Ratings’ decision to revise Suffolk’s ‘Rating Outlook’ to ‘positive’.

“The budget my administration has submitted ensures we will continue to see the County’s finances strengthen each year,” said Romaine. “I am focused on making Suffolk County safer and more affordable and to continue to be better positioned in the bond market.”

HAUPPAUGE, NY— After its unanimous passage, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine signed the first capital budget of his term. It includes funding for public safety, improving county infrastructure and upgrades for Suffolk County’s Board of Elections.

“With this budget, we can remedy problems long neglected by the prior administration,” said Romaine. “We prioritize upgrades to our critical infrastructure and delay noncritical projects to deliver results that are both impactful and fiscally responsible.”

Upon assuming office, the Romaine administration identified areas in need of investment, including cyber infrastructure still reeling from the 2022 cyber breach, neglected buildings, law enforcement and the vital upgrades needed at the board of election accommodate for Albany imposed even-year elections.

The signed 2025 Capital Budget is $535,014,841. Amendments made to the three-year capital program amount to $673,605 in savings.

“Our residents rely on our infrastructure for transportation, wastewater management and water quality, public safety and elections,” said Romaine. “With these investments, we can meet and exceed the expectations of Suffolk County residents.”

Highlights of the 2025-2027 Capital Program include:

• Sewage Infrastructure

  • $150 million for Carlls River-Wyandanch, Wheatley Heights and Deer Park sewer infrastructure
  • $150 million to expand the Forge River Sewer District
  • $139.5 million for upgrades for the Southwest Sewer District No. 3
  • $101.3 for Smithtown sewers

• Public Safety

  • $10 million for state-of-the-art tasers
  • $10 million for body cameras and accessories
  • $36 million for new public safety vehicles

• Bridges, Roads, and Transit

  • $33 million to repair and resurface county roads
  • $31 million NYS Route 110 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), connecting LIRR stations at Amityville, Republic Airport, and Huntington
  • $25.1 million road safety improvement

• Information Technology

  • $12.9 million for fiber cabling, network protection, hardware replacement, and technological disaster recovery upgrades
  • $3.6 million for technology upgrades and digitization of records

• Quality of Life Projects

  • $41.6 million for improvements to the county parks, including campsite upgrades and park upgrades
  • $24.2 million for improvements and renovations for numerous county historical sites and museums throughout Suffolk County
  • $23.1 million for dredging, upland disposal restoration, and new dredging equipment
  • $22.5 million for Hike and Bike Master Plan

• Open Space Acquisition

  • $15 million for farmland preservation 

• Economic Drivers

  • $11.5 million for Mastic Beach Revitalization
  • $4.7 million for improvements at Gabreski Airport
  • $1.8 Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Program

• Board of Elections

  • $34.8 million for new voting machines and other infrastructure.

“This is a budget the residents of Suffolk County can be proud of,” said Romaine. “Every step of the process was taxpayers first. It was the first budget delivered on time in over a decade. The Legislature had ample time for input, and every cent mattered.”

HAUPPAUGE, NY— Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine today delivered his first State of the County Address, laying out his four-year vision to rebuild Suffolk County safer while summarizing his administration’s accomplishments in his first 100 days of office. The County Executive addressed the Suffolk County Legislature and public officials at the Rose Caracappa Auditorium in Hauppauge.

Top priorities of the administration include strengthening municipal finances, public safety, improving county facilities, cyber security, prioritizing public works projects and enhancing infrastructure and social services reform.

“When I took office, I stated that this administration would be rooted in the values of hard work and accountability so we can build a future that is safer and more affordable for Suffolk County,” said Romaine. “We have already taken significant steps since January 1 that serve as cornerstones of this administration, with much more to come.”

Highlights of County Executive Romaine’s 2024 address include:

Strengthening County Finances:

In 2024, S&P Global Ratings upgraded its long-term rating and underlying rating (SPUR) on Suffolk County’s general obligation (GO) bonds outstanding to 'AA-' from 'A+’ with a stable outlook.

In addition, the County reached an agreement with the Suffolk Coalition of Public Employees to extend health care benefits for employees, saving $100 million over a five-year period.

The county executive also announced a new Centralized Grants Office to make sure Suffolk County gets its fair share of state and federal funding.

Romaine also vowed “to not submit a budget a budget that exceeds the state-mandated 2% property tax cap.”

Investing in & Prioritizing Public Safety

County Executive Romaine announced in January new leadership for the Suffolk County Police Department: Acting Police Commissioner Robert Waring, Kevin Catalina as Deputy Police Commissioner and Belinda Groneman as Deputy Police Commissioner.

The County Executive also announced the addition of more than 200 members of law enforcement and enhancements for public safety, including funding for new public safety vehicles and body cameras.

Romaine also highlighted changes made in the county’s Traffic and Parking Violations Bureau (TPVA), which improve operations and help ensure fairness to those who must come before traffic court.

Improving County Facilities

County Executive Romaine is committed to improving unmaintained county facilities as part of an approach to enhance constituent affairs and improve employee morale. The County Executive announced his intent to seek alternatives and potential renovations for Suffolk County Police Headquarters, H. Lee Dennison Building, the Medical Examiner’s Office Building and more.

Re-Acquisition of John J. Foley Property in Yaphank

Suffolk County announced the intent to re-acquire the former John J. Foley nursing home property in Yaphank, citing significant cost savings. The County intends to use the facility to ensure compliance with New York State’s criminal justice laws related to juvenile and adolescent offenders.

Cyber Security

Suffolk County is still recovering from the crippling 2022 cyberattack that hindered municipal operations and compromised sensitive information. County Executive Romaine ordered the full audit of spending related to the attack, announced the hiring of John McCaffrey as Chief Information Officer/Department of Information Technology Commissioner and committed additional resources to ensure enhanced security measures.

Public Works and Enhancing Infrastructure

The County Executive’s proposed $489 million capital budget rebuilds Suffolk’s infrastructure, sewers, parks, and roadways. The proposed budget invests in capital projects, prioritizes new and upgraded sewer projects and improvements to roads, bridges and transit. This also includes $106 million for sewer projects and $120 million for improvements to roads, bridges and transit.

Reforming Social Services

Suffolk County has taken immediate and swift action to reform the Suffolk County Department of Social Services. In April, County Executive Romaine named Dr. John Imhof as the new Commissioner of the Department of Social Services, working under Deputy County Executive Dr. Sylvia Diaz. The leadership changes come in the immediate aftermath of a special grand jury report about the handling of the case of 8-year-old Thomas Valva, who died in 2020. In addition, the County Executive is committed to filling hundreds of vacant positions and reform processes within the department, leading to more efficient services.

Protecting the Environment & Preserving Open Space

County Executive Romaine announced his commitment to environmental preservation along with open space preservation and farmland protection. The County Executive recently appropriated $15 million to preserve farmland. Since taking office, nearly 100 acres of farmland and open space throughout the County has been preserved with additional acquisitions planned later in the year.

HAUPPAUGE, NY—Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine submitted the first capital budget of his term in office today. It is the first time in four years the capital budget has been submitted on time. It includes funding for public safety, improving county infrastructure, upgrades and investment for Suffolk County’s Board of Elections.

“This budget addresses issues long neglected by the prior administration,” said Romaine. “County infrastructure—especially many buildings and other facilities—are in pitiful condition. The county’s IT infrastructure has still not recovered from the 2022 cyber breach, law enforcement needs additional resources, and we must make upgrades at the Board of Elections to ensure accurate, fair elections and prepare for the new even-year election law in New York State.”

The proposed 2025 Capital Budget is $488,760,526 and was submitted to the Suffolk County Legislature on April 15, 2024. The Legislature will review and suggest changes. The budget will be adopted after it is approved by the Legislature and signed by the County Executive. It is expected to be finalized in June.

“This budget represents a smart investment into our infrastructure and county operations that will continue to make this county safer and more affordable,” said Romaine. 

The budget also includes significant investments for the Board of Elections for state-of-the-art voting machines to ensure election integrity.

“Changes in election law and questions in other areas regarding election fraud have caused us to move quickly to upgrade our systems and ensure fair and accurate election results in Suffolk County,” said Romaine.

Highlights of the 2025-2027 Proposed Capital Program include:

• Sewage Infrastructure

  • $150 million for Carlls River-Wyandanch, Wheatley Heights and Deer Park sewer infrastructure
  • $150 million to expand the Forge River Sewer District
  • $139.5 million for upgrades for the Southwest Sewer District No. 3
  • $101.3 for Smithtown sewers

• Public Safety

  • $10 million for state-of-the-art tasers
  • $10 million for body cameras and accessories
  • $36 million for new public safety vehicles

• Bridges, Roads, and Transit

  • $33 million to repair and resurface county roads
  • $31 million NYS Route 110 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), connecting LIRR stations at Amityville, Republic Airport, and Huntington
  • $24.5 million road safety improvement

• Information Technology

  • $12.9 million for fiber cabling, network protection, hardware replacement, and technological disaster recovery upgrades
  • $3.6 million for technology upgrades and digitization of records

• Quality of Life Projects

  • $41.6 million for improvements to the county parks, including campsite upgrades and park upgrades
  • $24.2 million for improvements and renovations for numerous county historical sites and museums throughout Suffolk County
  • $23.1 million for dredging, upland disposal restoration, and new dredging equipment
  • $22.5 million for Hike and Bike Master Plan

• Open Space Acquisition

  • $15 million for farmland preservation

     

• Economic Drivers

  • $45 million for waterfront development at Vanderbilt Museum
  • $11.5 million for Mastic Beach Revitalization
  • $4.7 million for improvements at Gabreski Airport
  • $1.8 Suffolk County Downtown Revitalization Program

• Board of Elections

  • $20.6 million ($34.3 million over five years) for new voting machines and other infrastructure.

“I am proud of this budget,” said Romaine. “Every aspect, every dollar, benefits the taxpayers of this county. We are moving forward, preserving this county’s assets, improving quality of life and keeping our streets safe. We are doing the work that the people expect from its government.”

(Chicago, Illinois) – Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the County of Suffolk for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. This is the 40th consecutive year that Suffolk has earned such a prestigious award.

According to the GFOA, “The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.”

The Honorable John M. Kennedy, Jr. stated, “I am fortunate to have such a committed, extremely knowledgeable and highly professional staff! This recognition of their accomplishments is well deserved. It is an honor for the Suffolk County Comptroller’s Office to receive this award for the 40th year in a row!”

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine today announced S&P Global Ratings upgraded its long-term rating and underlying rating (SPUR) on Suffolk County’s general obligation (GO) bonds outstanding to 'AA-' from 'A+’ with a stable outlook.

“This is great news and the first of what we hope to be several upgrades as we work to make Suffolk a safer and more affordable place to live,” said Romaine. “We will continue to work with our colleagues in the Suffolk Legislature and the Suffolk County Comptroller to streamline government and improve services while continuing this forward momentum.”

“The upgrade reflects ongoing improvement to the county's financial position. Despite economic headwinds to the county's financial profile, Suffolk County is in a much stronger financial position to maintain higher reserves and structural balance,” said S&P. “The combination of stronger financial management and financial performance, the historic level of reserves and budgetary flexibility, a sizable affluent economy that is more resilient than in years past, and a manageable debt burden are factors that align with a high-investment-grade rating.”

“This latest credit upgrade for Suffolk County highlights the conservative budgeting practices of the Republican majority over the last two years,” said Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey. “Through conservative budgeting and making prudent use of one-time federal ARPA funds has put Suffolk County on a firm financial footing for the first time in 15 years. The SC Legislature will continue to work with County Executive Romaine to insure the long-term financial future of Suffolk County.”

Suffolk County Legislature Minority Leader Jason Richberg said: "Over the past 2 years the legislature has made a concerted effort to help strengthen the county's financial stability, and today's announcement is a big step in the right direction. I look forward to continuing our bipartisan push to keep on the fiscally sustainable path we've laid."

“The rating further reflects our opinion of the county's robust local economy, characterized by very strong per capita taxable market values, very high residential incomes, and new developments supporting economic growth prospects,” said S&P. “Better budget policies and practices that have reduced reliance on revenue growth and onetime measures to balance budgets, and ample budgetary flexibility to provide officials headroom to make timely revenue and expenditure adjustments when economically sensitive revenues underperform.”

“We will continue to be fiscally conservative and build more efficiency into Suffolk County government,” said Romaine. “The taxpayers put their faith in us to budget wisely and protect their dollars. That is what we are doing.”