News

Schumer announces filibuster to stop Gorsuch Supreme Court appointment

Mar
23
2017

Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer took to the Senate floor Thursday morning to announce his widely expected opposition to Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court -- and to say that Democrats will try to block his nomination.

“After careful deliberation, I have concluded that I cannot support Judge Neil Gorsuch’s nomination to the Supreme Court,” said Schumer, D-N.Y. “His nomination will have a cloture vote. He will have to earn 60 votes for confirmation. My vote will be no, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.”

By saying Gorsuch’s nomination will have a cloture vote, Schumer indicated that Democrats will try to block Gorsuch’s nomination through a filibuster -- which they can do unless Gorsuch...| read more ››

GOP health care plan would harm NY children, advocates say

Mar
18
2017

A children’s advocacy organization contends the American Health Care Act — the proposed replacement for Obamacare — would be devastating for youngsters in New York who are covered through Medicaid and the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program.

House Republicans are seeking support for a bill some have dubbed Trumpcare, which calls for deep cuts in public forms of insurance as the GOP attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama’s signature legislation.

“What we’re saying is that currently there are slightly more than 2 million kids covered by Medicaid and CHIP in New York, and both of these programs receive a significant amount of federal money,” said Benjamin Anderson, director of health policy for the Children’s Defense...| read more ››

Schumer: Trump cuts endanger 3,000 LI jobs at Brookhaven Lab

Mar
17
2017

Brookhaven National Laboratory would lose critical funding under President Donald Trump’s proposed budget, endangering nearly 3,000 jobs at the Upton lab, Sen. Chuck Schumer said Friday.

Standing inside one of BNL’s research centers, the National Synchrotron Light Source II, the senator decried a proposed $3 billion in cuts to the federal Department of Energy, saying critical research would be undermined and the local economy harmed.

BNL received more than $537 million last year from the department offices that have been targeted for reduced funding, Schumer and lab executives said.

“It’s a cut to knowledge, it’s a cut to research, and it’s a cut to good-paying jobs here on Long Island,” said Schumer, the Senate’s top Democrat. “It’s a cut to...| read more ››

Suffolk police: Violent crime down in 1st quarter of 2017

Mar
15
2017

Crime in Suffolk County, already at historic lows in 2016, is down 7.2 percent so far this year, Police Commissioner Timothy Sini said Wednesday.

Violent crime — categorized as murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault — dropped by nearly 25 percent through March 11 compared to the same period last year, Sini said during a news conference at Suffolk police headquarters in Yaphank.

“We’re targeting the right people, we’re targeting the right spots and we are collaborating with the community to solve problems,” he said. “That is why you see reductions in crime across the board.”

Sini said the opiate epidemic remains the biggest challenge facing Suffolk police. His cops have executed 54 drug-related search warrants this year compared to...| read more ››

Rep. Lee Zeldin’s tele-town hall draws complaints

Mar
12
2017

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) will meet with constituents one on one in East Patchogue Friday, but the congressman continues to draw complaints from some district voters over his decision to hold a telephone town hall last Thursday.

Several constituents reported that they registered for the 7 p.m. teleconference but never received a follow-up call or information about how to participate.

As GOP lawmakers faced off with combative protesters decrying President Donald Trump’s agenda at in-person town hall events across the country, Zeldin opted for a teleconference. He said the call method enabled him to reach a wider audience interested in “constructive dialogue.”

Zeldin’s spokeswoman Jennifer DiSiena defended the use of the teleconference, saying the congressman received a death threat last...| read more ››

International Women’s Day rally takes Port Jeff

Mar
9
2017

To commemorate International Women’s Day and “A Day Without a Woman” March 8, dozens of women, men and children of all ages gathered in front of The Frigate on the corner of Main Street and Broadway in Port Jefferson Village in support of gender equality, ending violence against women, acknowledging women’s achievements in history, and to voice their concerns about the current administration in the White House.

“We all need to know that we are in this together and we need to persist and we will persist,” Port Jefferson resident Kathy Greene-Lahey said over a microphone to the North Shore community members in attendance. “We are so capable and strong and intelligent and courageous, we have grace and style and...| read more ››

Sex offender legislation gains bipartisan support

Feb
23
2017

Last month, as the first NYS Assembly legislative session began, Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) was eager to reintroduce a bill tackling sex offender restrictions, or the lack thereof. Since the start of 2016, some Level 1 sex offenders began to come off of the registry, when a state appeals court decision removed all local restrictions on where convicted sex offenders may reside.

According to the ruling, the laws in place were becoming “too restrictive” and were therefore wiped clean. As is stands today, the only restrictions in place prohibit high-level offenders who are on parole or probation from living within 1,000 feet of a school.

Murray’s bill, A.1651, is a revamped version of a bill he introduced in response...| read more ››

Bellone urges state to uphold strict law against sex offenders

Feb
21
2017

In light of recent court rulings and pending lawsuits in favor of sex offenders, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone (D) is urging the New York State Legislature to follow in the county’s footsteps and get tough on sex criminals by passing legislation that gives the county authorization to uphold its strict laws against them.

On Feb. 11, Bellone and Legislator Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) spoke with parents and residents in Miller Place about supporting and protecting the rules within the Suffolk County Community Protection Act — a private-public partnership law developed by Bellone, victims’ rights advocates like Parents for Megan’s Law and law enforcement agencies. It ensures sex offender registration and compliance, and protects residents and their children against sexual...| read more ››

Valentines for Zeldin

Feb
15
2017

By noon on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at least two-dozen people had already gathered at Congressman Lee Zeldin’s (R-NY-1) main district office at 30 Oak Street in Patchogue. The demonstration is the latest in a string of similar events that have taken place across the first congressional district in recent weeks. The demonstrators carried “Missing Congressman” signs and said that they still desired a town hall meeting with Zeldin. The demonstrations became larger when a town hall meeting originally scheduled for April was canceled. Flyers that read, “Have a Heart” were also distributed, urging the public to tell their leaders in congress that they demand a real plan for affordable healthcare. Across the street, three demonstrators were spotted carrying signs that...| read more ››

Jay Schneiderman says he’ll seek re-election for town supervisor

Feb
12
2017

Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman is seeking re-election, he announced Friday.

Schneiderman, who was elected to a two-year term in 2015, is the town’s first announced candidate for November’s election.

“I know it sounds like a typical response, but there’s more work to do,” Schneiderman said Sunday about his decision to run. “I’m not done.”

Schneiderman, 55, announced his re-election bid at a fundraiser for his campaign committee at Union Cantina in Southampton.

As a member of the Independence Party, Schneiderman was endorsed by the Democratic Party in 2015. Gordon Herr, chairman of the Southampton Town Democratic Committee, said he has “no doubt that he will be re-endorsed” by Democrats after going through a screening process.

An official with the...| read more ››