March 15, 2012 -- County Executive Robert P. Astorino issued the following statement, in response to action today by the state Legislature to enact pension reform.

"As I have stated repeatedly, skyrocketing pension costs for county workers in Westchester are an immediate and long-term threat to the health of the county's finances. The package passed by the Legislature and endorsed by Gov. Cuomo is not perfect, but it is a good first step aimed at bringing down costs for future employees. Unfortunately, it won't provide any immediate help at a time when immediate help is needed. Westchester County's pension costs are expected to rise from $69 million in 2011 to $79 million this year and to $107 million in 2015. That's a 55 percent increase. This unfair and unsustainable burden on taxpayers threatens services and is likely to result in layoffs. To lessen the burden, it is now time for Albany to focus on real and immediate mandate relief, especially with respect to Medicaid."