NORWICH – Even though an annual budget will be in place within the next couple of weeks, the New York State Legislature has done nothing to address the root of the nearly $10 billion deficit, said the top representative of the New York State Association of Counties on Monday.

“We’ve suggested cutting costs across the board. They haven’t reduced any amount of expenditures,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.

The executive was on hand at the monthly gathering of the Chenango County Board of Supervisors at the County Office Building in Norwich. He said he was “escaping the heat in Albany.”

“It’s been tough. The chaos is unprecedented, disgraceful and a disservice to the public,” he said.

Later in the day on Monday, state lawmakers approved Governor David Paterson’s emergency spending bill which included more than $300 million in cuts to social services and mental health mandated programs. Acquario said counties will be forced to make up the difference in the following: Flexible Family Fund Services, Welfare Assistance, and the Office of Children and Family Services. The county’s portion of youth detention costs could also increase.