Such a large intervention, of course, would put taxpayers at substantial risk if it were not successful and the dollars the central banks bought fell in value.

Critics say the guarantees are a form of subsidy that will put taxpayers at risk given the industry's record of cost overruns and loan defaults.

By deferring debt service payments and not paying off obligations in a timely manner, Suozzi and the County have put taxpayers at risk.

"At first glance, this appears to be a budget that puts taxpayers first," Mr. DiFrancesco said.

The system puts taxpayers largely in control of what documents they turn over.

For without action, we'll continue to see what amounts to highly-leveraged, loosely-monitored gambling in our financial system, putting taxpayers and the economy in jeopardy.

Mr. Gulotta, meanwhile, has television advertisements saying he "puts taxpayers first" and promising, among other things, to reduce the number of county employees.

"Are elected officials putting taxpayers first or their own campaign finances first?"

"They put delinquent taxpayers in the paper," she said this morning as her 3-year-old daughter clung to her leg.

The new privilege for accountants is part of a broader bill seeking to put taxpayers on a more equal footing with the Internal Revenue Service.