Babylon Democrats News

Schumer: Infrastructure Bill Could Give Suffolk Millions to Improve Water Quality

Jul
10
2021

Suffolk County could be eligible to receive millions of roughly $55 billion in federal funding for water quality through the bipartisan infrastructure bill amid an increase in brown tide in Long Island waters, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Saturday at a news conference in Patchogue.

Speaking alongside environmental advocates and local officials overlooking the Great South Bay on Laurel Street, Schumer, the Senate majority leader, said that starting Monday, during negotiations over the bill, he will push the Senate to include funding for federal water infrastructure line items. That would help Suffolk and New York State tap water infrastructure funds to tackle brown tide in local waters.| read more ››

Suffolk Passes Bill to Remove Racist Covenants from Property Deeds

May
11
2021

The Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved a bill Tuesday to help homeowners remove racist restrictive covenants from their deeds that barred people of color and religious minorities from living in certain Long Island homes and neighborhoods.

The legislation will create a method to start the process and waive fees to remove discriminatory covenants that, though legally unenforceable, once helped segregate the Island by prohibiting non-white and non-Christian people from buying or renting properties in certain areas.

Those "offensive" covenants remain on countless Long Island deeds because they were common practice, according to language in the bill, which will "get rid of these vestiges of separation," said Legis. Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon) last week.| read more ››

Facing crush of crises, Joe Biden sworn in as 46th president

Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Credit: Getty Images/Alex Wong
Jan
20
2021

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in Wednesday as president and vice president of the United States, taking the helm of a deeply divided nation and inheriting a confluence of crises faced by few of their predecessors.

With Donald Trump absent — he became the first president since 1869 to skip his successor's inauguration — Biden said he would be the president "for all Americans."| read more ››

Ann Brancato to represent New York's 9th Assembly District

Oct
27
2020

This unusually drawn district, one of the most gerrymandered on Long Island, has drawn two sharply contrasted candidates for the seat being vacated by Michael LiPetri.

Ann M. Brancato, 78, a Democrat from Massapequa, has work experience in health care, human services, social work, job development and professional recruitment. She understands the value of preparation, and has done her homework on the issues that would confront an Assembly member.| read more ››

Steve Stern to represent New York's 10th Assembly District

Oct
27
2020

Steve Stern is a lawmaker with ideas that can make a difference. The Dix Hills Democrat, who has served in Albany since 2018, is keenly aware of the problems of small businesses in his districts and the pain of those who are short on food. Stern, who turns 51 this week, understands the urgency of protecting our water quality. An elder care lawyer, Stern seeks to eliminate a new Medicaid home-care benefit with out-of-control costs to make sure there are no cuts in state education funding.| read more ››

Kimberly Jean-Pierre to represent New York's 11th Assembly District

Oct
27
2020

After three terms in Albany, Democrat Kimberly Jean-Pierre, 36, of Wheatley Heights, has made the case for a fourth term by her record of providing reliable constituent services while delivering on her legislative agenda. She has sponsored laws requiring boating safety instruction, expanding insurance coverage of mammograms for women age 35 to 39 when medically necessary, and revoking the licenses of real estate brokers who discriminate.| read more ››

John Brooks to Represent New York State's 8th Senate District

Oct
22
2020

State Sen. John E. Brooks will stand alone on the ballot this fall, after the Republican Party’s two possible candidates were disqualified because of successful legal challenges.

But Brooks, now completing his second term in office in the 8th Senate District, commendably stands out for other reasons. Just before the pandemic took hold, Brooks had introduced a bill to cap the amount of a school district’s spending that comes from residential property taxes at 50%, in an innovative attempt to provide tax relief particularly for communities with a small commercial property tax base.

The Seaford Democrat says his plans were gaining traction, and he hopes to resume discussions, and find ways for businesses to contribute more to education funding.| read more ››