Suffolk legislators are choosing not to vote on the upcoming budget as it makes cuts to some essential services - but if no one votes, the budget will pass by default.

They were supposed to vote on a county budget Monday, but instead - the $3.2 billion budget is expected to pass without any taking action.

Critics say this is a way for legislators to avoid being tied to a budget with massive and unpopular cuts.

The proposed budget includes slashing $20 million from the police department, $13 million from the county bus service, $8 million from contract agencies that provide health care and social services and getting ride of 500 full-time county jobs.

County Executive Steve Bellone blames the shortfall on the pandemic, less sales tax revenue, less gambling revenue from Jakes 58 and less property tax revenue mainly due to closed businesses.

Bellone said in a statement to News 12, "Once Washington delivers direct disaster aid to state and local governments we can roll back these cuts, focus on containing and overcoming the virus and begin the hard work of recovery."

Republican Leg. Robert Trotta says his hands are tied, and claims the county's fiscal mess is Bellone's years of mismanagement.

County residents, like Angie Barnes from Bohemia, says federal aid not always guaranteed.