Jacobs Turns to Public for Petition Drive in Support

Jacobs Turns to Public for Petition Drive in Support Of Fiscal Oversight

Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and her Democratic colleagues asked Nassau County citizens to support a petition drive calling for a strong fiscal oversight board to scrutinize the county executive's budgets.

Legislator Judy Jacobs announces a petition drive in support of the Democrats' fiscal oversight proposal. From left, back row, are: Legislator Lisanne Altmann, Minority Leader Jacobs and Legislator Barbara Johnson. Front row, from left, Scott Nigro of Manhasset, Tina Sackman of Manhasset and Julius Cohen of Albertson.

A citizens' petition drive, allowed for under the county's charter, can force the legislature to consider a law. The petition must be signed by at least 2,000 voters, no less than 50 voters from each legislative district.

The call for the petition is in response to Democrats' thwarted attempt to introduce their fiscal oversight board proposal on Aug. 9, prior to the majority's approval of a one percent real estate transfer tax. Prior to the transfer tax being passed, the Republicans introduced a bill by emergency calling for a Blue Ribbon Advisory panel. But Minority Leader Jacobs' attempt to have the stronger Democratic measure considered by emergency was denied.

"Anything we propose goes into a black hole never to see the light of day," Jacobs said.

Minority Leader Jacobs announced the petition drive at a press conference where she was joined by Legislators Lisanne Altmann (D-Great Neck) and Barbara Johnson (D-Port Washington). Legislators Roger Corbin (D-Westbury) and Michael Zapson are also in support of the citizens' petition drive.

Also attending the announcement were Manhasset residents Tina Sackman and Scott Nigro, and Albertson resident Julius Cohen. Ms. Sackman, Mr. Nigro and Mr. Cohen expressed their support of the drive and also their frustration over the fact that they were never given a reasonable opportunity to speak on either the transfer tax or the Democrats' proposal for the fiscal oversight board, due to a lengthy 12-hour session which ran into the early hours of the next day.

"We have already received dozens of phone calls from citizens who are in support of the petition drive for fiscal oversight," Jacobs said. "We think this petition will set things right and allow the citizens of this county to be heard on this issue."

Jacobs commented that County Executive Thomas Gulotta's budgeting practices of one-shot revenue deals and overestimating income have landed the county in a $300 million deficit hole.

"Citizens are calling for strong fiscal oversight with teeth," she added.