Februrary 26, 2026
For #ThrowbackThursday, I wanted to reflect on my recent op-ed in the L.I. Herald regarding the insertion of political motives into governance here in Nassau County, specifically as it pertains to contracts doled out by this County Executive to politically connected outside legal firms. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle have, in my view, been grievously remiss in our duty as Legislators to scrutinize the necessity of these expensive contracts, at the taxpayers expense.
Legislative oversight exists to combat this use of government to benefit those who have curried political favor with the current administration. The pattern of government contracts turning into political donations is concerning, particularly for work that previously has been handled competently by our County Attorney’s office.
The same concerns persist in our assessment system, from which politically connected tax firms have handsomely profited. Above those, I have been particularly troubled by the state of our County’s opioid settlement funds. We are under both a legal and moral obligation to use this money to abate our County’s burgeoning opioid crisis, yet under 7% of those funds, after now 5 years, have found their way out of a bank account and into any effort to help combat this crisis. It is not lost on me nor my
Nassau County Legislature Democrats colleagues that the retention of these funds has had the effect of artificially increasing our otherwise draining reserves, painting a political picture of stability in the face of unsustainable spending. The mere perception that such a vital program could be cannon fodder for political gain is cause for alarm.
It is then, incumbent on myself and my colleagues on both sides of the Legislative dais to reassert our role as a check and balance, to uphold our County’s fiduciary and social obligations to our constituents. I intend to continue that battle, as I believe an effective, independent legislature is a necessary component of any successful government.
