Residents, organizations ask for funding at budget meeting

Westchester residents pleaded for more funding for essential county services at a meeting Tuesday in Yonkers.
County Executive Rob Astorino proposed his $1.8 billion budget earlier this month. It keeps taxes flat, but many of the people at the meeting said they worry organizations like the Westchester Hispanic Coalition and Arts Westchester are getting short-changed. 
"We've had level funding for about eight years and during that time, the need for programming has increased dramatically," says Joanne Mongelli, deputy director for Arts Westchester.
Arts Westchester promotes mental wellness through the arts. The group's members say they're worried that if they don't get more funding, critical programs will have to be cut. 
The Board of Legislators has two more public hearings before they vote on the proposed budget in December.