Suffolk County raised the age for tobacco sales from 19 to 21 last night, passing a bill with some of the tightest restrictions over cigarette sales in the country.

"This will save lives," Legis. William Spencer (D-Centerport), the bill's sponsor and a pediatric surgeon, said after the 10-8 vote.

The bill restricts stores in Suffolk County from selling cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, herbal cigarettes, rolling papers, pipes, as well as e-cigarettes, to those over 21. The law goes into effect Jan. 1.

New York City late last year passed a similar age restriction, while the town of Needham, Mass., has instituted another proposal, according to the American Lung Association.

After a lengthy debate, in which convenience store owners said their...| read more ››

The Suffolk County Legislature voted on Tuesday night to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 19 to 21, effective Jan. 1 next year.

The legislation, sponsored by Legislator William "Doc" Spencer (D-Centerport), was approved by a vote of 10-8, with mostly Democrats in the Democrat-controlled Legislature voting in favor of the bill, and all of the Legislature's Republicans voting against the measure.

The bill applies to tobacco products including cigarettes, chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes.

Legislators DuWayne Gregory and William "Doc" Spencer confer with one another during the meeting Tuesday night. Photo by Rohma Abbas
The legislation awaits Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone's signature, which he is expected to do, according to a spokeswoman on Wednesday.

When...| read more ››

Long Island, NY-One of the first responsibilities of Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory (D-Amityville) of the Suffolk County Legislature is to make committee assignments for his colleagues. Deputy Presiding Officer Jay Schneiderman (I-Southampton) has been selected to chair the Parks and Recreation Committee while also serving on Government Operations, Personnel, Housing, and Consumer Protection; and Economic Development committees.

“I was pleased to name Deputy Presiding Officer Schneiderman to chair the Parks and Recreation committee,” said Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory. “He brings10 years of experience as a Legislator to the table, and he has a thorough knowledge of the county’s parks. During his years as chairman of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, Legislator Schneiderman sponsored important legislation to strengthen our bus...| read more ››

The measure, cosponsored by Deputy Presiding Officer Jay Schneiderman and Legis. William Spencer (D-Huntington) takes advantage of the opportunity opened up by a new state law sponsored by Sen. Ken LaValle that allows municipalities to regulate pet dealers.

“New York State’s 'pet dealer' law wasn’t strong enough to end the reign of unregulated puppy mills," LaValle said in a press release last month announcing the bill's signing by the governor. The new law will "enable local governments to restrict these cruel practices,” LaValle said.

Scneiderman said the proposed county law is not intended to stop the sale of puppy mill dogs or put pet stores out of business.

"It's about the ethical treatment of animals," Schneiderman said. "It's a frameword...| read more ››

Suffolk County Legislator Jay Schneiderman (I-Hampton Bays) is sponsoring a bill to create a tick control advisory committee.

The legislation is expected to be discussed at the county Legislature’s Public Works & Public Transportation Committee meeting at 2 p.m. in Hauppauge.

According to the bill, a tick control advisory committee would be able to assist the Division of Vector Control in developing a plan to reduce tick-borne illnesses.

In October, the Legislautre approved another bill Mr. Schniderman sponsored that requires Vector Control, which is charged with controlling the spread of insect-borne diseases, to submit an annual plan to combat the increase in cases of tick-borne disease.| read more ››

In some ways, you can call Legis. Rob Calarco the whip of the Suffolk Legislature, a term used for Congress that basically mimics his new post as Democratic majority leader.

“It’s to see to the needs of the Democratic caucus, that we’re working as a team united,” Calarco said in his Patchogue office. “It’s not an easy thing to do. We all have different perspectives and needs. When we can support each other we do, but on the important issues, we understand each other, so we can be as united as possible. Then we take the issues to the minority caucus to find common ground as we move forward.”

Calarco, 34, and in his second term, was voted in via...| read more ››

On Thursday, December 19th, Legislator Sarah Anker attended a ribbon cutting ceremony held by Long Island Builders Institute (LIBI) for the nation’s first affordable housing subdivision exclusively for Long Island veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Six US veterans received new homes in time for the holidays.

Long Island Home Builders Care, a charitable arm of LIBI, broke ground in May for the six lot development, aptly named “Veterans Way”. Homeownerswere required to meet certain qualifications, as determined by a committee of local, county and state commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

“I commend Long Island Builders Institute for supporting our local veterans,” said Legislator Anker. “This housing community is the first of its kind, where...| read more ››

Hauppauge, NY - January 9th, 2014 - Legislator Sarah Anker was sworn into office at the Thursday, January 2nd Organizational Meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature.

“I’m looking forward to continuing the many projects I’ve facilitated over the past two years including Rails to Trails, helping our young adults find jobs and affordable housing, supporting our seniors, protecting our environment, implementing fiscal responsible measures to get our County out of debt and promoting financial stability through economic growth,” said Anker. “It is an honor and privilege to continue to serve the residents of the 6th Legislative District.”

Pictured: Sarah Anker pictured with Suffolk County Clerk Judith Pascale signs the official record as Suffolk County Legislator for the Sixth District....| read more ››

Riverhead, NY - March 2014 - Suffolk County Legislator Sarah Anker has introduced legislation to launch a new bullying awareness website providing support and guidance for children who are, or have been, bullied. The legislation will be submitted at the March 4th General Legislature meeting.

“According to 2010 Bullying Statistics, 160,000 children miss school each day for fear of being bullied,” said Legislator Anker, County Chairwoman of Education and Information Technology Committee. “Having been a victim of bullying myself, I understand how important it is to speak up. I’ve worked closely with many bullying awareness groups including New York State Families Against Bullying and Get a Voice, supporting their efforts to get the word out on what students, parents...| read more ››

Cutchogue native Al Krupski, a Democrat, won his bid for re-election to the Suffolk County Legislature seat he currently holds by a landslide Tuesday.

Challenged by Republican Albie De Kerillis, Krupski came out ahead, with the unofficial tally giving him the lead by a huge margin of 12546 to 4712.

"I'm honored to represent the 1st District again," Krupski said after the race. "I'm going to get back to work tomorrow; we're going to vote on the budget."

Of the scores of voters who turned out to cast their ballots for him, Krupski said, "I think I'm very familiar with the East End and the important issues; that's why people support me."

After his loss, De Kerillis said he conceded...| read more ››