Latest news with #Romaine
New York Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine signs off on longer terms for lawmakers — now voters get to decide
Suffolk lawmakers could soon serve twice as long — from two to four years — under a new measure signed Friday by County Executive Ed Romaine. But voters will still need to approve the term-limit change on the November ballot. The 'Term Limit Preservation Act' will ask voters on Nov. 4 whether they support doubling the term length for county legislators, while still capping their total time in office at 12 years. Advertisement Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine signed a new measure Friday that could lead lawmakers in the county to serve twice as long. Brandon Cruz / NY Post Romaine signed the bill to place the measure on the ballot in Hauppauge, framing the move as a way to give residents more control over how local government functions due to a new controversial state law dictating election schedules. 'This is an opportunity,' Romaine said. Advertisement 'If you think that less politics and more government is a good thing, then this is something to support.' The proposal, first passed by the legislature in early July, stems from a 2023 state law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul that moves all local elections in New York to even-numbered years to coincide with state and federal races — which Hochul said would reduce voter fatigue and save taxpayer dollars. But Long Island politicians, especially Republicans, say they're worried about important local issues being drowned out by the national noise, and argue the shift has created confusion and could wreak havoc on the county's election calendar. The legislation signed by Romaine will allow lawmakers to serve four-year terms, but voters still need to approve the term-limit change on the November ballot. Suffolk County Government Advertisement 'If the elections stay in even years, I am concerned that local issues will get lost in the shuffle of national and state politics,' Romaine told reporters. He said this amendment would allow legislators to spend less time campaigning and more time doing the work of local government, as they would essentially win in November and have to start immediately campaigning again due to the changes. If the ballot measure passes, current lawmakers would be allowed to serve out their final term if it goes beyond the 12 year maximum — a move politicians claimed was to avoid the 'chaos' of midterm resignations. Advertisement Although lawmakers used the shift in election years as justification to beef up the length they could serve without campaigning, Suffolk recently pushed to stretch lawmakers' terms from two to four years in 2020. More than 70% of voters voted against the measure on ballots. Westchester County's Board of Legislators similarly tried to extend term limits in 2024, with voters promptly voting against the measure.
New York Post
08-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Suffolk jails forced to hold 125 prisoners set for transfer because of state chaos
Suffolk County's jails are being forced to hold onto 125 felons who were supposed to be transferred upstate — with officials blaming state government chaos for the delay, The Post has learned. County Executive Ed Romaine blamed Gov. Kathy Hochul and said housing a growing number of state prisoners is putting staff in a dangerous situation as taxpayers are on the hook for hundreds of thousands in estimated extra costs. 'They've been convicted and are supposed to be in state prisons and they're not because the state is just not taking them,' Romaine told The Post. Advertisement 'Now, why is the state not taking them?' the Republican added. 'Well, [Hochul] fired 2,000 corrections officers striking for better working conditions and she's closing prisons around the state.' 4 Suffolk County's jails are being forced to hold onto 125 felons who were supposed to be transferred upstate. New York Post Under state law, inmates sentenced to hard time in state prison are supposed to be transferred upstate within 10 business days. But Romaine said that has changed in the aftermath of labor unrest with the corrections officer union and Democratic governor. Advertisement He said the delays are now causing headaches across the system, from administration to the inmates themselves. Most of the detainees in the two county jails — in Riverhead and Yaphank — are people accused of low-level crimes that are being held for trial and have not been convicted. They are now bunking alongside convicted criminals who were intended to only pass through the system. 4 Under state law, inmates sentenced to hard time in state prison are supposed to be transferred upstate within 10 business days. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine pictured. James Messerschmidt Romaine added that the influx of roughly 125 felons is raising serious safety and management concerns for staff. Advertisement 'Our jail staff are already spread thin,' Romaine wrote in a letter to Gov. Hochul in May obtained by The Post. 'I understand that the state faces similar staffing challenges, but it is unfair to shift this burden to the County with minimal financial compensation and little to no collaboration.' The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision blamed the backlog on system-halting staffing shortages that were sparked after the state fired 2,000 corrections officers who participated in an unauthorized, nearly month-long strike in March. 4 Romaine added that the influx of roughly 125 felons is raising serious safety and management concerns for staff. Newsday via Getty Images Romaine shot back that the staffing shortages should be Suffolk's problem. Advertisement 'The law says they're state ready, then they need to be in state prisons, not local jails,' he said. New York State is reimbursing Suffolk $100 per day for every inmate stuck in the county jails, but Romaine said the county pays $250 per day for each, meaning taxpayers are on the hook for the extra $150. 'The warden and his staff calculate that we have expended approximately $280,000 in excess of what we have received from the state to house these state ready but unclaimed prisoners since February,' Romaine wrote in the May letter. 4 New York State is reimbursing Suffolk $100 per day for every inmate stuck in the county jails. New York Post More inmates in lockup means more guards are needed to work — with more overtime costs, he added. Romaine warned that if the backlog continues, it could lead to dangerous overcrowding and unravel the work the county has been doing to improve jail conditions. 'This is unsustainable long term,' he said.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State DOT refuses to sign off on $10 land sale that could modernize Long Island's busiest LIRR line
The state Department of Transportation seems ready to run out the clock on a $10 deal to help electrify Long Island's busiest LIRR line — which could cost Suffolk County over $2 million in federal funds if the agreement falls through, local officials charged County Executive Ed Romaine called out the DOT for stonewalling an infrastructure project he said would clean up both the delay-ridden commute and the environment — all over a pending vacant land purchase between Suffolk and the Metropolitan Transportation Agency. If DOT does not sign off on the land deal by June 30, roughly $2.1 million earmarked from the federal American Rescue Plan to help fund the project will be lost, according to Suffolk officials. 'This should have been done, this whole line should be electrical,' Romaine, a, Republican, told The Post from Port Jefferson. 'This is the best land deal the MTA will ever make — which isn't exactly known for its fiscal responsibility.' Romaine said the agency is ready to move forward with the project, but did not specify how much the project would cost. The vacant land, nearly 50 acres that was once part of the Lawrence Aviation Superfund site, is currently controlled by the Suffolk County Landbank. Landbank officials offered to sell it to the MTA last year for just $10 so the agency can begin building infrastructure to electrify the unreliable diesel-fueled, double-decker trains that still run through the Port Jefferson line — a LIRR route that 30% of all riders live along. It's also the busiest branch on Long Island, according to MTA data. But the DOT balked at blessing the project, citing the need to complete an easement process as well as floating other potential options for the property, Suffolk officials charged. Stephen Canzoneri, DOT spokesperson representing Long Island, confirmed the agency 'is in the process of delivering a free property easement' to 'facilitate MTA's property acquisition,' and said the process will take several months. Even state Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, a Democrat, offered to personally pay the $10 fee to get the deal done — but said she was told the state still wouldn't allow the sale. Romaine has even called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to step in. He argued DOT's stalling tactics go against Hochul's own green goals. 'Governor Hochul supports any effort to advance meaningful transportation investments in the region and will work with all stakeholders to resolve the complicated land use issues impacting this potential project,' Kara Cumoletti, a spokesperson for the governor, told The Post. The MTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
New York Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
State DOT refuses to sign off on $10 land sale that could modernize Long Island's busiest LIRR line
The state Department of Transportation seems ready to run out the clock on a $10 deal to help electrify Long Island's busiest LIRR line, Suffolk officials charged Monday. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine called out the DOT for stonewalling an infrastructure project he said would clean up both the delay-ridden commute and the environment — all over a pending purchase between Suffolk and the Metropolitan Transportation Agency. If DOT does not sign off on the agreement by June 30, the contract will become void, according to Suffolk officials. Advertisement 6 Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine called out the state Department of Transportation for refusing to approve a $10 land deal that would help electrify the Long Island Railroad's busiest line. Brandon Cruz / NY Post 6 A map of the Lawrence Aviation Industries Site. Department of Environmental Conservation 'This should have been done, this whole line should be electrical,' Romaine, a, Republican, told The Post from Port Jefferson. 'This is the best land deal the MTA will ever make — which isn't exactly known for its fiscal responsibility.' Advertisement Romaine said the agency is ready to move forward with the project, but did not specify how much the project would cost. The vacant land, nearly 50 acres that was once part of the Lawrence Aviation Superfund site, is currently controlled by the Suffolk County Landbank. Landbank officials offered to sell it to the MTA last year for just $10 so the agency can begin building infrastructure to electrify the unreliable diesel-fueled, double-decker trains that still run through the Port Jefferson line — a LIRR route that 30% of all riders live along. 6 Romaine and other Suffolk County officials at an event for the symbolic cutting of red tape for the land sale. Brandon Cruz / NY Post Advertisement 6 The state DOT has until June 30 to approve the deal. Stefano Giovannini It's also the busiest branch on Long Island, according to MTA data. But the DOT balked at blessing the project, citing the need to complete an easement process as well as floating other potential options for the property, Suffolk officials charged. Stephen Canzoneri, DOT spokesperson representing Long Island, confirmed the agency 'is in the process of delivering a free property easement' to 'facilitate MTA's property acquisition,' and said the process will take several months. Advertisement 6 The 50-acre plot of land is owned by the Suffolk County Landbank. Department of Environmental Conservation 6 The Lawrence Aviation Superfund site seen in 2014. Department of Environmental Conservation Even state Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, a Democrat, offered to personally pay the $10 fee to get the deal done — but said she was told the state still wouldn't allow the sale. Romaine has even called on Gov. Kathy Hochul to step in. He argued DOT's stalling tactics go against Hochul's own green goals. 'Governor Hochul supports any effort to advance meaningful transportation investments in the region and will work with all stakeholders to resolve the complicated land use issues impacting this potential project,' Kara Cumoletti, a spokesperson for the governor, told The Post. The MTA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Long Island cops raid 26 illegal weed stores in a week, seizing 15K products: officials
Suffolk County cops caught 26 unlicensed pot shops in the act during dozens of raids over just one week – seizing more than 15,000 illegal weed products, officials said Tuesday. The countywide crackdown just began May 20 but has already seen 44 smoke shops or convenience stores raided and resulted in seven arrests and five businesses getting shut down permanently, according to police. 'We are not going to allow the proliferation of illegal marijuana shops in this county,' Suffolk Executive Ed Romaine told reporters at a news conference at police headquarters in Yaphank. 'Under the law, we not only padlock their business, but we seize all of their products,' Romaine added, saying the county will likely incinerate the seized products. Police said the biggest busts so far came from raids on Cloud Nine V in Farmingville; Simply Green in Coram; Vape Guru in Bay Shore; and The Norm smoke shop in Patchogue. Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina also revealed the raids found some of these storefronts selling illegal fireworks, magic mushroom chocolate bars from Colorado — and flavored vape pods to minors. He told The Post that the police worked together with town officials from all over Suffolk County to identify locations that were possibly selling weed illegally. 'The places that we hit, we asked our precinct commanders and our elected townspeople to give us the spots that were the most problematic in our communities, and those are the spots that we targeted,' Catalina said of the raids. Officials promised more raids to come. 'This isn't just about legality, it's more about safety,' said Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr., whose department worked in collaboration with police to conduct the raids. 'Products sold outside of regulated channels can be dangerous and untested,' said Toulon Jr., referring to THC vape products. Officials said the operation will continue indefinitely — with dozens more shops already in their crosshairs.
