Press Releases: (click to read)

Legislator Testa Announces Funding for Senior Programs

Legislator Testa Will Not Seek Reelection

Legislator Testa Secures Funding for Peekskill Youth Programs

Statement from Minority Leader John Testa on "Ban the Box" Law

Legislator Testa Announces Rehabilitation of Washington Street in Peekskill

Legislator Testa, Colleagues Approve County Police School Resource Officers

Legislator Testa Announces $4 Million in Upgrades at George's Island Park

Testa Joins Bipartisan Announcement of Additional Funding for Indian Point Closure

Legislator Testa Announces Three Major Infrastructure Projects for His Northern Westchester District

Statement by Westchester County Legislator John G. Testa Regarding the Coast Guard's Decision to Suspend the Barge Anchorage Sites Proposal

Testa, A Leader on Protecting the Environment

Westchester Bio Tech Center Deal Approved

GOP Legislators, Police Union Announce 5 County Police Positions to be Filled

Westchester County Legislators Bring Legal Action Against HUD to Recover $17 Million in Grant Funding

Legislator Testa Co-Sponsors Legislation to Ban Synthetic Marijuana

GOP Legislators Call on Democrats to Stop Partisan Political Games, Refocus on Legislative Tasks

Legislators Pass Bipartisan, Zero Tax Increase 2017 Budget

Westchester County Legislators Pass Resolution Against Hudson River Oil Barge Anchorage Sites

Legislator Testa, Bipartisan Group of State, County, Local Lawmakers Calling for More Transparency on Review of Oil Barge Anchorage Sites in Hudson

NY Knicks Development League Team to Call Westchester Home

BOL Coalition Announces Hiring of Three County Police Officers

GOP Leaders Stunned by Democrats Vote to Block Afforable Housing

Westchester, County Mayo, Ireland Sign "Twinning" Agreement

Legislator John Testa Helps Secure Low Interest Loan for Church Solar Installation in Buchanan

Bipartisan Coalition Passes 0% Tax Increase Budget for 2016

Legislator Testa Secures Funding for Cortlandt, Peekskill, Yorktown Youth Programs

Legislator John G. Testa Helps Deliver Over $200,000 of Funding for Peekskill's Youth

Testa Chosen As Minority Leader of Westchester BOL

Westchester County Legislators Bring Legal Action Against HUD to Recover $17 Million in Grant Funding

Legislator Testa Secures $2.8 Million for First of Three Major Road Projects for Peekskill

Westchester County Provides Mobile Command Vehicle to Peekskill Police

Westchester Sewer Stakeholder Notification Law Approved

Westchester Veterans Museum Re-dedication

Lapolla Little League 50th Anniversary

County Update at Yorktown Town Board Meeting

Visiting Peekskill Seniors with Astorino

Yorktown ASK Youth Court

Bipartisan Coalition Creates 2013 Budget

Legislator Testa Delivers $2.4 Million for Northern Westchester Roads

Legislator Testa Receives Unanimous Support from Colleagues In Appointment to Westchester County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Board

Legislator Testa Helps Deliver Over $200,000 of Funding for Peekskill's Youth

Setting the Record Straight On Eliminating Playland Entrance Fee

Recognizing Earth Day with Visit to Cortlandt Ash Pit Closure Site

Westchester County Board of Legislators Honors the PHS Girls State Championship Basketball Team

Setting the Record Straight on the County's Section 8 Program and the CSEA Lawsuit

District 1 Communities' Tax Reduction Will Exceed the -2.2% County Levy Adopted for 2011


Videos: (click image to view)

2019 Budget Floor Speech:

FiOS1 Budget 2019 Discussion:

IPA Opposition Floor Speech:

Announcing Infrastructure Projects:

FiOS1 Playland Agreement Terminated:

Grace Notes Show:

OnTopic Show - Jan. 2015:

See John's YouTube Channel for more shows and videos!

PRESS RELEASES:  

REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS STAND WITH TAXPAYERS, VOTE "NO" ON TAX INCREASE BUDGET

LEGISLATOR TESTA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR SENIOR PROGRAMS

LEGISLATOR TESTA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS

GOP LEGISLATORS OPPOSE RED LIGHT CAMERAS

MINORITY LEADER TESTA STATEMENT ON NEW RIDE PURCHASE FOR PLAYLAND

TESTA STATEMENT ON COAST GUARD OIL BARGE WITHDRAWL

LEGISLATOR TESTA, COLLEAGUES APPROVE COUNTY POLICE FOR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS

WESTCHESTER GOP MINORITY LOOKS TO PROTECT TAXPAYERS IN NEW TERM

STATEMENT FROM MINORITY LEADER JOHN TESTA ON "BAN THE BOX" LAW

LEGISLATOR TESTA ANNOUNCES MAJOR ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECTS

LEGISLATOR TESTA INTRODUCES LEGISLATION BANNING SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA

GOP LEGISLATORS, POLICE UNION ANNOUNCE 5 COUNTY POLICE POSITIONS TO BE FILLED

LEGISLATOR TESTA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR MAJOR ENERGY SYSTEM UPGRADES AT DRUM HILL SENIOR LIVING

LEGISLATOR TESTA PROPOSES RESOLUTION OPPOSING NEW OIL BARGE ANCHORAGE SITES IN HUDSON RIVER

GOP LEADERS STUNNED BY DEMOCRATS VOTE TO BLOCK AFFORDABLE HOUSING

WESTCHESTER LEGISLATORS RECEIVE FACTS ON RAISE THE AGE UNFUNDED MANDATES

GOP LEGISLATORS APPLAUD PROCUREMENT PROCESS THAT FUNDS MORE PROGRAMS FOR MORE AT-RISK YOUTH

LEGISLATOR TESTA SECURES FUNDING FOR CORTLANDT, PEEKSKILL, YORKTOWN YOUTH PROGRAMS

LEGISLATOR TESTA DELIVERS $2.8 MILLION FOR PEEKSKILL ROADS

GOP CAUCUS STATEMENT ON LATEST ZONING ANALYSIS

GOP LEGISLATORS TAKE ISSUE WITH HUD AND HUD'S MONITOR ON THE MOST RECENT REPORT

GOP LEGISLATORS CALL ON DEMOCRATS TO STOP PARTISAN POLITICAL GAMES, REFOCUS ON LEGISLATIVE TASKS

MUNICIPAL LEADERS APPLAUD ASTORINO PLAN TO PROVIDE DIRECT FUNDING FOR COMMUNITIES "HELD HOSTAGE" BY HUD

WESTCHESTER COUNTY PROVIDES MOBILE COMMAND VEHICLE TO PEEKSKILL POLICE

GOP LEGISLATORS CALL FOR RELEASE OF $7 MILLION IN CDBG FUNDS, APPLAUD MAJOR JUDICIAL VICTORY FOR ASTORINO ADMINISTRATION

LEGISLATOR JOHN G. TESTA HELPS DELIVER OVER $200,000 OF FUNDING FOR PEEKSKILL'S YOUTH

LEGISLATOR TESTA RECEIVES UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM COLLEAGUES IN APPOINTMENT TO WESTCHESTER COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION AND CONSERVATION BOARD

ALL-WEATHER ATHLETIC FIELDS OPENED IN YORKTOWN

WESTCHESTER LEGISLATORS PROPOSE "PROTEST LAW"

LEGISLATOR JOHN G. TESTA ANNOUNCES COUNTY TO EXTEND CORTLANDT NOR-WEST GRANT DEADLINE

COUNTY TESTA LEGISLATOR ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIRS AT GEORGE'S ISLAND PARK AND BLUE MOUNTAIN RESERVATION

COUNTY BOARD OF LEGISLATORS VOTES TO SAVE MONTROSE

LEGISLATOR TESTA ANNOUNCES MAJOR CHANGES FOR PEEKSKILL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

LEGISLATOR TESTA ANNOUNCES IMA WITH THE CITY OF PEEKSKILL FOR STOP/DWI/SATAMASTER PROGRAM

GOP LEGISLATORS BLAST DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY FOR ADDING $43 MILLION IN SPENDING TO COUNTY BUDGET WHILE PUTTING COUNTY'S AAA BOND RATING IN JEOPARDY

NEWSLETTERS:

 

Westchester County Legislator, Minority Leader

Legislator Page Slideshow

John G. Testa was elected to five terms (10 years) as Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) from 2010-2020. He was selected by his colleagues as the BOL Minority Leader during his final 3 terms.

As a legislator, Testa worked to change the attitude and focus of county government by reducing its size and bringing spending under control while seeking to eliminate the waste that had affected the taxpayers of Westchester for far too long. The result was 7 straight years of no tax levy increase while also maintaining vital services, protecting the environment and enhancing services those most vulnerable in our society.

The cornerstone of Testa’s leadership as an elected official – and one of the great strengths he brought with him to the County Board of Legislators – was his record of fiscal stewardship.

In fact, with 10 consecutive budgets while in office, Testa had achieved an unprecedented net tax decrease for taxpayers – delivering three 0% budgets in Peekskill as Mayor, a 2.2% County tax DECREASE in 2010, and a 0% County budget for 2011 thru 2017. After opposing the 2018 budget that increased taxes by 2 percent, Testa fought to have the 2019 budget get approved with a 1 percent tax decrease. That is an overall record of a net negative 1 percent tax over 13 consecutive years in office.

Testa was a tireless advocate for the communities he represented and spearheaded an unprecedented number of county projects throughout the district. Testa’s focus was on the county-owned infrastructure, parks and treatment plants that serviced the communities of his district. Tens of millions of dollars of improvements were made to the wastewater treatment plant in Peekskill, 8 miles of county roads, and all county owned parks in the district.

Legislator Testa was an outspoken and strong supporter of area veterans, police and first responders. His leadership brought much deserved recognition for veterans and he introduced multiple pieces of legislation to highlight the contributions of area veterans. Testa was a vocal advocate for the preservation and enhancement of medical services at the Montrose VA facility and proudly spearheaded the legislation of have Westchester declared a Purple Heart County. Testa worked to bring additional equipment and support for local police and fire services.

Legislator Testa set the bar high for his support for senior citizens and youth throughout his district. Year after year, Testa delivered for both by bringing funding for programs and was known for his dedication and support for community senior centers and youth bureaus and organizations.

County Legislator Testa continued to be instrumental in his support for the Arts Community in Westchester. Testa always understood the value of a healthy cultural heart to a community and the county as a whole. As a strong proponent of economic development, Testa realized the importance of the Arts as it contributes to the overall economic engine and vitality of local communities. As legislator, Testa was in the forefront to support and advocate for the county’s continued partnership with ArtsWestchester and the greater arts community throughout the county.

Legislator Testa was a leader on environmental issues for two decades and has a long record of initiatives he has supported and spearheaded. His active involvement in developing and promoting environmentally friendly policies began as mayor and continued throughout his time as Westchester County Legislator. His efforts consistently earned Testa the endorsement of the NY League of Conservation Voters. Follow this link for details:

Testa, A Leader on Protecting the Environment

Legislator Testa continued his passion for what is probably his most recognizable accomplishments while in office – the promotion and preservation of local history and historic landmarks. As with the arts, Testa understood the economic power of Cultural Tourism through celebrating and preserving local history. John brought his love of history and significant experience with him when he began his political career. In fact, it was the fight for preserving local landmarks that prompted Testa to run for office in the first place. During his tenure as Westchester County Legislator, Testa stood out as a champion of history and wasn’t afraid to challenge those who didn’t share his vision. A prime example is Testa’s vocal support for the preservation and restoration of the county owned “Miller House” in North White Plains. A revolutionary war era home and one-time headquarters for Gen. George Washington during the Battle of White Plains, the Miller House was crumbling under years of neglect. Bucking some in his own party, John fought to have the county follow through and preserve this important piece of American and Westchester history. Miller House is now fully restored and contributing to the education of those who visit.

Legislator Testa was instrumental in securing the preservation of the Lincoln Depot, now the Lincoln Depot Museum, where he now serves as President. The museum was recognized in 2015 as one of The Best Museums in Westchester.

John Testa’s commitment and dedication to the communities he served was the hallmark of his career as a county legislator. For his efforts, many organizations recognized Testa and thanked him for his service. In 2017, Testa was named “Champion of History” by the Lincoln Society in Peekskill, honored by the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), named the Grand Marshal of the 2020 Peekskill St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Honoree of the Year by the Circolo da Vinci Society of Yorktown for 2021.