Last week Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy hosted an editorial board meeting in her district offices in Hempstead. She presented a large package of resource materials to every member of the press in attendance outlining her stand on reducing gun violence, her "Commonsense Family Tax Relief Act, a new and improved Bipartisan Patients' Bill of Rights," and her report on prescription drug prices on Long Island. In the interest of providing the most in-depth coverage of each issue, each subject will be addressed independently in subsequent issues. This week the focus will be on reducing gun violence, as the California shootings were fresh in the minds of the reporters and editors speaking with the congresswoman at the time. FULL STORY

In an effort to shore up Nassau County's faltering economy, the Nassau County Legislature passed the controversial transfer tax at its Aug. 9 meeting. The transfer tax was proposed by County Executive Thomas Gulotta some months ago. Under its provisions, anyone selling real estate in Nassau County will have to pay a one percent tax to Nassau County, or $4000 on the sale of a $400,000 home. The measure was vigorously opposed by real estate interest and mortgage brokers. After Mr. Gulotta proposed the tax, the County Legislature had to request the state to take action authorizing the tax. Although Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli, the Nassau County Democratic leader, tried to force through an amendment requiring that the county's finances be under the oversight of New York State Comptroller Carl McCall, the legislature authorized the tax without that requirement. After state authorization, the Nassau County Legislature was free to vote on the tax, which it did, on strictly party lines. FULL STORY

Imagine: a tennis ball hit on Long Island helps to feed hungry children thousands of miles away! While it may seem far-fetched, that is exactly what happens when tennis players on Long Island participate in the Stop World Hunger Tennis Tournament. FULL STORY