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Suffolk Town Supervisors Push For Change in Tax Cap Calculation
There is a push in Suffolk County to change the way a cap designed to make Long Islanders' taxes a little less taxing to be calculated.
A bipartisan group of Suffolk town supervisors are blaming the state's 2% property tax cap structure for adding even more pressure to their already difficult efforts to balance their budgets.
They say unfunded mandates from Albany and rising costs across the board could force them to raise taxes by a significant margin.
They signed a letter asking to meet with Gov. Kathy Hochul and other state officials to talk about adjusting the tax cap formula.
Tax pro and Suffolk County's former Chief Deputy County Executive Paul Sabbatino says Suffolk leaders should go back to their budgets.
Sabatino says on one hand, the state does force towns to pay for things they may not need, but taxpayers should have healthy skepticism.
Skipping Debates
The upcoming debate between Rep. Tom Suozzi and his Republican challenger Mike LiPetri for New York's 3rd Congressional District will be the only debate this year, compared to four debates in 2024.
The contest is also a rematch at the ballot box and the debate stage.
But why won't there be more debates this year?
Long Islanders would have to ask the other candidates that question.
News 12 offered multiple debate dates and times to all of the candidates.
Rep. Nick Lalota and candidates Pat Halpin and Jeanine Driscoll all agreed to participate. They were offered interview segments on News 12's "Power & Politics" program.
Driscoll and Halpin will be in the News 12 studio next week.
Focus on the Race for Hempstead Town Supervisor
All three Nassau County towns have races for supervisor this year.
In the Town of Hempstead, both Republican incumbent Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti and his Democratic challenger Joe Scianablo say they are focused on affordability.
Ferretti says he's bucking the regional trend and keeping taxes flat.
But Scianablo says the town budget plan is just smoke and mirrors.
Later this week, "Power & Politics" will also focus on the town supervisor races in North Hempstead and Riverhead.
Even Year Elections
The town supervisor races are just a few of many that will be impacted by this even-year election.
They add to the congressional midterms, the governor's race and other statewide offices and seats to represent Long Island in Albany.
Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law in 2023 that moved most local elections from odd years to even years which took effect this year.
Some Democrats say it was a long time coming, but Republicans say it's a power grab. They argue ballot races like town supervisor will be ignored by voters for the big money races.
The state court of appeals rejected a GOP attempt to get the changes thrown out.
Suffolk County Lawmakers Hold Hearing With Flock License Plate Reader Representatives
Flock license plate readers have been controversial on Long Island and across the country.
Representatives from that company recently answered questions from Suffolk County lawmakers and at times, the exchange was heated.
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