Babylon Democrats News

DuWayne Gregory re-elected Suffolk presiding officer

Jan
3
2017

Suffolk’s Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory won his fourth term Tuesday to lead the 18-member county legislature for another year, vowing to focus on county’s budget problems.

Gregory was voted in on an 11-5 party line vote, with Republican lawmakers nominating Legis. Kevin McCaffrey, GOP caucus leader, as a symbolic alternative.

Despite his candidacy, McCaffrey complimented Gregory on being evenhanded with the minority Republicans.

Legis. Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) and Tom Muratore (R-Ronkonkoma) were not present, but had excused absences.

Gregory said after the vote that he plans to name an ad hoc budget committee in the next few weeks to concentrate on cutting the county’s structural deficit, more closely scrutinize spending by county contractors and tackle fiscal matters lawmakers did...| read more ››

Cuomo creates new team to focus on minimum wage law

Jan
2
2017

A 200-member team of investigators has been assembled to help ensure businesses across the state comply with the new minimum wage law that took effect Saturday, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and his top aides announced Monday in Manhattan.

The Multiagency Enforcement and Outreach Unit will hold employers accountable by notifying employees of their rights, collecting their complaints and conducting investigations, Cuomo said.

New York State is moving in phases toward a $15 minimum wage statewide — a plan Cuomo signed into law last April.

“One thing I want to make clear, this is not a voluntary effort,” the Democratic governor told reporters at his midtown offices. “This is the law. And if a business does not follow the law, they...| read more ››

Cuomo: State investigates post-election hate ‘explosion’

Nov
15
2016

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo established a statewide “hotline” Tuesday to report hate and bias crimes and incidents after an “explosion” in “bias-motivated events,” including displays of swastikas and Confederate flags in White Plains, Wellsville, Geneseo and other parts of New York following Donald Trump’s win in the presidential election.

Cuomo, a Democrat, said the State Police, the state Division of Human Rights and university police around New York would investigate acts he called not only immoral but illegal.

“They were very, very troubling and we want to make a clear statement in this state: That there is no place for racism. No place for hate. No place for swastikas. And there is no place for racially inflammatory rhetoric...| read more ››

Election Day voter hotline announced, state AG says

Nov
4
2016

Voters in New York encountering problems Tuesday during the general election can call an Election Day hotline for help, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said.

Schneiderman said his office has created the hotline to help troubleshoot and resolve a range of issues and barriers encountered by voters at the polls, according to a Friday news release.

Schneiderman urged voters experiencing problems or issues at the polls to call the hotline at 800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov at any time on Tuesday between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

His office has operated the hotline since November 2012. Since then, his office has fielded hundreds of complaints from voters across the state and worked with local election officials and others to promptly address...| read more ››

Colin Powell endorses Hillary Clinton for president

Oct
25
2016

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell told an audience of more than 1,000 Long Island business and political leaders Tuesday that he will vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton for president, citing her experience, temperament and — in a jab at GOP nominee Donald Trump — her “stamina.”

Powell, speaking at the Long Island Association fall luncheon in Woodbury, was harshly critical of Trump, arguing that the New York businessman was “not qualified” to serve as commander and chief and had sold Americans a “bill of goods” that he cannot deliver.

“He insults us every day,” said Powell, who served as secretary of state under Republican President George W. Bush.

“He has insulted America in one way almost every day,” Powell...| read more ››

Governor creates fellowship for aide killed in LIE crash

Oct
24
2016

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has created a state fellowship to honor a former Long Island aide killed this summer in a horrific car crash on the Long Island Expressway, he announced Monday.

The two-year Scott Martella Fellowship will be awarded to recent graduates committed to public service with a passion for helping others, Cuomo said in a news release. Scott Martella, 29, of Northport, was among six people who died in the Aug. 21 crash in Manorville.

“Scott believed in government’s potential to improve lives and worked day in and day out in pursuit of this principle,” Cuomo said in the statement. “With this fellowship, we will help ensure his legacy and public service will continue and endure for years...| read more ››

Hillary Clinton should be our next president

Oct
21
2016

These are perilous times at home and abroad.

Our economy is in stasis, pinching the dreams of millennials and leaving many older workers behind. Gaping fault lines in race relations are again laid bare. Evolving gender roles widen the cultural divide.

The Middle East is wracked by endless conflict, Russia growls and a more assertive China imperils our allies in the East. The threat of terrorism rises. The dangers of climate change loom.

And Congress, riven into warring camps, is unable to function.

Against that backdrop of uncertainty in this presidential election year, America has made it clear: It wants change. But that means real change — not change based on slogans, not change that can never happen. It wants...| read more ››

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

Oct
16
2016

In her first term, Democrat Kimberly Jean-Pierre of Wyandanch delivered for her district by sponsoring property-tax relief for Sandy victims, and supporting tougher laws on zombie homes. She brought home $4.5 million in capital funds for local needs. That includes $1 million she sought from the Assembly speaker to match other state and federal funding pledges for a microbrewery incubator in Copiague.

Republican Shawn Cullinane, 63, is Lindenhurst Village clerk and treasurer. He has a deep knowledge of the area and sincere concern about ending corruption and helping Sandy victims.

While Jean-Pierre, 32, is still finding her footing in the capital, she has already shown skill at producing for her district. In a new term, we’d like to see her...| read more ››

How to vote in New York State- 1 day grace period to register in person

Oct
15
2016

Looking to vote in the general election on Nov. 8, 2016? Here are important details to know.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE

It was Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, at 11:59 p.m., but if you missed the deadline, you get a one-day grace period to register in person because it’s a presidential election year. There will be multiple locations on Long Island where you can do so on Saturday, including Roosevelt Field mall and community centers in Nassau, and six town halls and some American Legion halls in Suffolk.

YOU CAN FIND A REGISTRATION LOCATION BY CLICKING THIS LINK

HOW TO FIND YOUR POLLING PLACE

Enter your information on the New York State Board of Elections' voter registration- SEARCH PAGE ...| read more ››

Annual Fall Dinner to be held at Bergen Point

Oct
14
2016

Suffolk County Democratic Committee Chairman Rich Schaffer and Town of Babylon Democratic Committee Chairman Peter Casserly have announced that the 2016 Babylon Dems Fall Dinner will be held at Bergen Point Golf Course on Wednesday, October 19th from 6-8PM. Come celebrate all of the progress we have made together. Tickets are $350 per person and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Diamond Sponsorship - $5,000
Platinum Sponsorship - $2,500
Gold Sponsorship - $1,500
Silver Sponsorship - $1,000
Bronze Sponsorship - $500

Please make checks payable to the Babylon Democratic Committee.| read more ››