On the Issues: Taxes and Fiscal Responsibility / Protecting Our Environment
Health Care / Seniors and Veterans / Public Safety and Protecting Our Children
Preserving Our Quality of Life
On the Issues: Preserving Our Quality of Life
Since taking office, protecting our quality of life has been Steve’s top priority. The old railroad car on the Long Island Expressway in Dix Hills, which served not only as an eyesore, but as a refuge for drug dealers and prostitution has been removed. In the local community, he worked hand in hand with civic groups and the Suffolk County Parks Department in the refurbishing of the “Little Red Schoolhouse,” which serves as a landmark in Elwood. As a strong supporter of Suffolk County pet owners, Steve introduced legislation requiring the county to establish dog parks within the parks system, to help alleviate overcrowding and create space for dogs to run freely.
Working to balance the need for economic development and maintaining the integrity of our neighborhoods, Steve has been a powerful force for his constituents and all of Suffolk County in planning to meet the challenges of present and future growth.
Steve passed the Planning Bill — which requires notice and an opportunity to be heard to residents of adjoining towns when large developments are planned near town borders. Protecting the community from the surprise of new development, he also co-sponsored the creation of a new Department of Information Technology. Working with County Executive Steve Levy, he reached an agreement to have developers support an access road on the Pilgrim State Property to alleviate the heavy traffic from the Tanger project in Deer Park. In addition, he called a four-town summit to address the issues of development along the Commack Road/Sagtikos corridor and worked with the towns of Huntington, Babylon, Islip and Smithtown to propose a plan with the County Executive, to provide for regional planning and traffic mitigation measures for existing and future projects.
- Sponsored legislation requiring sufficient notice of Planning Commission referrals and meetings.
- Co-sponsored the successful creation of a new Department of Information Technology.
- Co-Sponsored legislation to depoliticize the Suffolk County Planning Commission.
- Co-sponsored legislation to amend and strengthen requirements for fiscal impact and revenue impact statements.
- Co-sponsored legislation to further accelerate the County's Affordable Housing Program.
- Co-sponsored legislation to promote non-political, professional diverse County Planning Commission.
- Co-sponsored legislation expanding income eligibility limits for real property tax exemption for people with disabilities.
- Secured millions of dollars in the capital budget for traffic mitigation, particularly along the Commack Road corridor.
