Letter: Smith’s Letter Fails to Mention Reason For Funding Cut

(Editor’s note: This letter is in response to “Planned Parenthood Calls on Senators to Reject Political Agenda of House Members” by President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Nassau County JoAnn D. Smith that appeared in the Friday, March 11, 2011 edition of the Farmingdale Observer.)

 I am writing in response to Ms. Smith’s letter about “the extreme political agenda by the Republican House leaders.” Ms. Smith’s letter, about 150 words, fails to mention the reason funding was cut off.

Letter: League of Women Voters Calls for Independent Redistricting Commission

The time has come for New Yorkers to take back their vote. The League of Women Voters of Nassau County believes this can come about only if legislators support an independent, nonpartisan commission for redrawing Assembly and Senate districts in response to the 2010 census. To achieve this end, the LWV has joined ReShape NY, a broad coalition of 30 advocacy, business, union, and civil groups calling on the Governor and state legislature to create an independent redistricting commission that draws district lines using fair and defined criteria while engaging the public in the process. If New York is to have a state legislature that is responsive to the interests of the constituents rather than keeping itself in office, citizens must demand this change from their legislators.

From the Desk of Assemblyman Jim Conte

Building a Better Budget for Long Island

This week I hosted a public budget hearing at the Suffolk County Legislative Auditorium in Hauppauge. This forum was held to discuss the impacts that Governor Cuomo’s 2011-12 Executive Budget and the recent Medicaid Redesign and Mandate Relief task force proposals could have on Long Island taxpayers, schools, businesses, hospitals, and municipalities.

Letter: Letter to Village Residents From the Mayor

This probably comes as a surprise to many of you but the Village does not own Main Street, Nassau County does. I don’t know how that came to pass, but it is a fact. They have approached the Village many times over the years asking to divest itself of the road and the responsibilities associated with that ownership. The prior proposals never seemed to be to our advantage.

Letter: Copy of Feb. 22 NYSSBA Letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo

We are writing in response to your Feb. 16 letter to fellow New Yorkers on education reform. We agree that New Yorkers elected you to be their voice in Albany and to make tough decisions; it is also true that New Yorkers elected 5,000 school board members around the state to be the voice of their school districts.

Letter: ‘Religious Leaders Call on Peter King To Cancel Muslim Hearings’

(Editor’s note: This letter was sent to U.S. Congressman Peter King and to Anton Newspapers. Eighty people in the religious community on Long Island signed the letter; we are printing the names of those in the areas our newspapers cover.)

Letter: ‘CSEA Workers Are The Wrong Target’

Both before and after the enactment of a control period by the Nassau Interim Finance Authority on Jan. 26, budget reform and the renegotiation of union agreements with Nassau County have been the call of the day.

From the Desk of Senator Charles Fuschillo - February 18, 2011

LIPA Oversight Bill Approved by Senate Energy Committee

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. announced that the Senate Energy Committee approved legislation he cosponsored requiring LIPA to get approval from the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) before raising its rates.

Letter: Letter from North Hempstead Housing Authority

The North Hempstead Housing Authority would like to clear up some inaccuracies contained in a recent column by Michael Miller regarding Harbor View Apartments and also provide some additional information on the subject.

Letter: Open Letter from Governor Cuomo About the Budget

Our state is at a crossroads. After years of overtaxing and overspending, we are at the fiscal brink. We can continue down our current road to financial ruin or we can take a new course – a road to recovery.