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A statement from Day's office said two of the more notable vetoes eliminated amendments that would have restored 13 security guard positions across the county and six Department of Finance positions at Summit Park Hospital and Nursing Care Center, which closes at the end of the year.
"It is my fiduciary responsibility to veto what I consider there Legislature's ill-advised amendments," Day said. "I simply cannot compromise on those 22 changes."
Earlier this year, Day proposed a $723 million spending plan for 2016 that included what his office referred to as "a modest property tax levy increase," equating to an additional $4 per month for the average Rockland County homeowner.
Last week, the Legislature passed a series of amendments establishing a tax increase of 9.86%.
Explaining his vetoes, Day said restoring the security positions was unnecessary because he had already authorized the Rockland County Sheriff's Office to provide security at county facilities. Restoring the finance positions at Summit Park was similarly "illogical," Day said, noting that the closure of the facility would leave the employees with no responsibilities.
"Our constituents expect us to demonstrate the fiscal discipline necessary to balance our budget and manage county services in the most cost-efficient manner possible," Day said. "In the days ahead, I remain confident that members of the Legislature will reach across the aisle and work collaboratively with my Administration to achieve that goal of good governance."
The Republican County Executive's vetoes can be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature, which is controlled by a Democratic majority by a margin of 12-5.
Read Day's veto message.
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