News Roundup

Apr
23
2012

Funding stopped for USAID program that trained students in the Philippines to work in offshore, English language call centers serving U.S. companies.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has suspended funding for a program under which Filipino nationals were trained to work in offshore, English language call centers that serve U.S. companies. The program, first reported by InformationWeek, drew heavy criticism from lawmakers...read more ››

Apr
19
2012
County Executive Steve Bellone delivers State of the County address

HAUPPAUGE — Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone was frank when he delivered his first State of the County address Wednesday evening. Bellone said Suffolk County was dealing with the greatest fiscal crisis in its history, facing a budget gap of more than $500 million. Having undertaken multiple cost-saving measures already, Bellone explained the county is authorized to borrow $90 million in a revenue anticipation note and that he and his...read more ››

Apr
18
2012

An elderly couple recently had the opportunity to reclaim part of their life savings after a leak in their basement, where the cash was kept in a strong box, left tens of thousands of dollars moldy.

"It was kind of — it looked like it was dirty," said Donna DeSantis, the daughter of the Ridge couple who kept $37,000 locked up in their basement. She said the box was flooded when her parents' water meter broke. "The cashbox got wet, but...read more ››

Apr
17
2012

After postponing his first State of the County address when his wife gave birth, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has set a new date for the speech.

Bellone will give the State of the County address Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. from the William H. Rogers Legislature Building in Hauppauge. The speech will be broadcast live on News 12. Long Island Business News will also cover the speech.read more ››

Apr
17
2012

Spending for construction and other capital projects would decline by 21 percent next year under a budget proposed Tuesday by County Executive Steve Bellone.

Unveiling his three-year capital program, Bellone said roads and bridges still would be rehabbed and public safety vehicles replaced, but that the county's fiscal crisis requires a "leaner" plan than lawmakers have approved in recent years.

(MORE AT LINK TO ORIGINAL...read more ››

Apr
12
2012

The next time you are in Huntington, Northport Village or Port Jefferson, officials want you to B.Y.O.B.

As in: bring your own bag.

The Citizens Campaign for the Environment on Thursday kicked off a campaign in the three communities to help protect local waters by encouraging business owners and shoppers to rely on reusable bags and drop the plastic bag habit.

"A reusable bag is sustainable, it's clean, it makes sense and...read more ››

Apr
12
2012
DuWayne Gregory - Suffolk County Legislative Majority Leader - Legislator 15th District

As you know by now, County finances are in a very difficult way. Sadly, this is the fate many local governments have experienced in the wake on the Great Recession and slow recovery. While each municipality’s circumstances differ slightly, the precipitants of our collective dilemmas is very similar. An increase in demand in services—from those still affected the most by the recession—and the ever increasing cost of providing those (and all)...read more ››

Apr
10
2012
County Executive Bellone and Gov. Cuomo discuss the brush fires with the media

County Executive Steve Bellone announced Tuesday afternoon that the brush fires in Suffolk have been largely contained. Both Bellone and Governor Andrew Cuomo thanked firefighters for their efforts in battling the blaze, which they said could have been “a lot worse.” The Governor also declared a state of emergency for Suffolk County in order to put it in a position to receive financial assistance.read more ››

Apr
6
2012

The addition of 120,000 jobs to America's economy in March marks the twenty-fifth straight month of increased private sector employment despite the unwillingness of House Republicans to work across the aisle on a Transportation Bill and other substantive efforts to encourage economic growth, Congressman Tim Bishop said today.

The national jobs number follows a recent report from the NY State Labor Department that Long Island’s private...read more ››

Apr
5
2012

HAUPPAUGE — Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone unveiled a new online permit process to allow residents, businesses, developers and engineers to track the progress of building improvement permits on the web. The system is called the Submission and Status Terminal. The system will link users with the Departments of Health and Public Works.read more ››