Above: County Executive George Latimer delivers his State of the County Address
Below: Protestors Outside
By Dan Murphy
Westchester County Executive George Latimer delivered his 7th annual State of the County address on March 14, in which he outlined the county initiatives and programs under his leadership “for all families.”
Latimer touted the creation of 6,000 new units of affordable housing, the expansion of the Child Care Scholarship, $20M for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, $1M for the Black Maternal Child Health Initiative, $1.5M for tobacco prevention and cessation program, and the seasonal suspension of the Bee-Line Bus fares.
Latimer said: “The State of our County is firmly rooted in strength while growing and changing for the better.”
“Let us see the value in electing leaders who have no scandals, no hate, no conspiracy theories, leaders who aren’t breaking campaign pledges or becoming a national punchline. Together, we can build on the foundation laid by those who have dedicated their lives to Westchester.”
Latimer highlighted the passage of the 2024 Westchester County Budget, which maintains the same County property tax levy as 2023, marking the fifth consecutive year without a levy increase.
He also emphasized the County’s prestigious “AAA” credit rating from Fitch Ratings, as well as its improved credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Investors Service. Additionally, he highlighted the New York State Comptroller lowering the fiscal stress score for the County to zero, indicating outstanding financial stability.
On the environment, Latimer applauded the Board of Legislators for passing the single use food ware law as well as the Lead Free Parks Act, the Addressing Asthma in Communities of Color Amendment, the Renewable Energy Database Act and the Equity in Environmental Legislation Act.
Latimer pointed out that the County has made a substantial investment of $20 million to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure at County parking facilities, adding that “These efforts underscore our commitment to sustainability and community well-being.”
Latimer said: “Since our administration first took office in 2018, affordable housing – and the availability of affordable housing throughout the County – has remained a top priority.”
Since 2018, nearly six thousand units of affordable housing have been built, gone under construction, or are in the pipeline for the future. Additionally, Latimer highlighted the Affordable Housing Investment Flex Fund, a new, affordable housing production tool which was created to help increase the number of units across Westchester.
For the first time in Latimer’s tenure, he used the State of the County Address to sign the $52.8-million-dollar Glen Island Bridge construction Bond Act. The Act is among the most significant construction projects in Westchester County in the past decade.
Latimer affirmed his commitment to support the uninsured and underinsured residents of Westchester, bolstering our Federally Qualified Health Centers with $3 million in funding while also setting aside more than $1 million for the County’s Black Maternal Child Health Initiative, and $1.5-million-dollars to promote tobacco prevention and cessation programs.
During the speech, Latimer singled out Veteran Joseph Frank, a Port Chester native and a distinguished combat Army Infantryman who served his nation overseas during World War II. Frank is Westchester County’s oldest living veteran – at the age of 106.
Latimer said: “We express our gratitude to Mr. Frank for his selfless service and to all our Westchester County veterans.
Outside the county office building, a group of about 50 protestors, held signs and spoke out in support of “Palestinians uprooted by Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza,” and also against Latimer’s run for Congress and support for Israel.
Called, “The People’s state of the county, protestors held signs criticizing Latimer not for his role as County Executive, but in his role as Congressional candidate; Latimer is challenging fellow democrat Jamaal Bowman in the 16th district-NY.
Protestors held placards against Latimer’s connection to AIPAC, the pro-Israel Political Action Committee that is helping their supporters to donate to the Latimer campaign.
Other objections to Latimer’s record came from Police Reform groups, who said not enough has been done, and from affordable housing advocates, and the need for “deeply affordable housing,” as Juanita Lewis, executive director of Community Voices Heard, said.
The coalition of Westchester’s progressive and social justice organizations included Black Westchester, Westchester County Black Political Conference, Anti Racist Alliance, Jews For Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ), Alternatives to Incarceration, Jewish Voice for Peace Westchester, Concerned Families of Westchester, Lower Hudson Valley Democratic Socialists of America, Westchester Coalition for Police Reform, Blacks in Law Enforcement of America, and We, United.
Westpac.org, the larger group that helped organize this event, stated “A broad coalition of Westchester’s progressive and social justice organizations will counter County Executive George Latimer’s final State of the County address. Our rally will emphasize Latimer’s failed policies as County Executive. George Latimer has not fulfilled his promises to the people in critical areas including Affordable Housing, Police Accountability, and Racial Justice.
“The State of the County address comes at a critical juncture: Latimer, a Democrat, is completing his tenure as County Executive while he mounts a campaign to unseat fellow Democrat, Congressmember Jamaal Bowman. Rep. Bowman is the first Black congressional representative of our diverse district, and has been championing issues close to the heart of local working families throughout his term. Latimer’s failures as County Executive on issues that impact poor and working class communities disqualifies him as a candidate for Congress.
“Not only does Latimer’s campaign for Congress serve to divide Democrats, but it is largely initiated and funded by AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee). Westchester County does not need a Congressmen that is beholden to special interests rather than to district residents.
“This coalition implores George Latimer to end his corrupt campaign for Congress. Do not make your political legacy be about challenging a beloved congressional representative, at the behest of AIPAC, an organization bankrolled by Republicans. Do not throw your weight behind Israel’s genocidal campaign against the Palestinian people in Gaza, at the cost of over 30,000 innocent lives and unspeakable trauma to over 2.2 million people. End your campaign and join our Congressman in calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
“This action reflects the growing sentiment that George Latimer is unfit to serve as a United States Representative!
