In an odd move in these tough economic times, the Suffolk Legislature has voted to remove the tax cap on gasoline sold in the county. The move would enable the county to raise additional taxes on gasoline sold at the pumps for vehicles or on the waterways for boating. The vote was 10-7 with all Republicans and one Democrat voting against the measure. Executive Steve Levy says that he will veto the bill. Democrats are unlikely to get the 12 votes needed to override the County Executive's veto.
One more example of why the citizens of Suffolk County should vote to change the balance of power in the legislature.
School Daze
Riverhead school Superintendent Nancy Carney now says that the 2% cap imposed by Andrew Cuomo and approved by the State legislature is "unsustainable". The school board and the superintendent are in sync on this one and seem to be saying that they were not aware of the impact that the 2% cap would have on their budget. Specifically, if the district adheres to the mandated cap, Riverhead schools will be $3.1 million dollars short and will have to make drastic cuts to stay under the cap.
Now this is the same Superintendent and school board that campaigned vigorously for that $78 million bond issue only to announce (immediately after it's passage) that the schools faced a $3 million dollar shortfall.
The law says that the school budget may not exceed the 2% cap unless 60% of the residents vote to exceed it. Is this Board now maneuvering to have the residents of the district take a vote on exceeding the cap? What is the real story? Has this Board and Superintendent been upfront with the citizens? There are many questions that need answers.
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