Democrats who strongly oppose Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano's proposed tax hike in the 2015 budget criticized Republicans for keeping the Finance Committee from reviewing and voting on the spending plan.

The Democrats accused the Republicans of breaking a 19-year precedent of Finance Committee review in order to pass Mangano's proposed budget, which includes a 2.2 percent property tax hike.

"We all full well know that probably, the budget wouldn't even get through the Finance Committee because it didn't have the majority of the votes there," said Abrahams.

Majority Leader Norma Gonsalves said the proposed budget would only go before the Rules Committee to streamline the process.

Legislator Carrie Solages (D - Elmont) said the move was an attempt by Republicans to protect one of their own. Legislator Michael Venditto (R-Massapequa), who sits on the Finance Committee, is running for state Senate. He says Venditto was protected from having to vote to raise taxes before the election.

The Rules Committee passed Mangano's proposed budget and moved it for review before the full legislature. The debate will continue over the next couple of weeks.

The full legislature is scheduled to vote on Mangano's spending plan on Oct. 29.