The Nassau County Legislature passed County Executive Tom Suozzi's 2.5 percent heating tax proposal Monday night, sending residents and Republican lawmakers reeling.

"Here we are," said minority leader Peter Schmitt. "The first step that's been taken in dealing with the budgetary shortfalls is the imposition of a tax for heating oil, propane, gas, firewood on all the residents of Nassau County whether they own or rent their homes. It's disgraceful."

Monday's meeting addressed only some of Suozzi's proposals to plug the county's budget deficit. Still to be voted on is a 7 percent pay cut for county employees.

Earlier this month, Suozzi put workers on notice that, because of the county?s dire financial situation, they must take the cut or he?ll have to cut jobs. County employees did get some good news Monday, however. Suozzi said the threatened job cuts will likely not come to pass.

"I don't believe that layoffs will be necessary because we have come a long way in agreement with the police unions and with the civil service employees association," said Suozzi.