Cameras to be installed at 50 LI intersections

The county legislature unanimously approved a request to the state to allow Nassau to install red light cameras at 50 intersections, in hopes of reducing accidents and of generating badly needed revenue.

"We needed to act . . . today because the state legislature may be leaving Albany shortly after the budget is passed," said presiding officer Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove).

Tuesday's vote for the request, called a home rule message, required a two-thirds majority of the 19 members.

Republican minority members said they voted for the emergency measure because the administration had promised to use the funds to offset $12 million in cuts from social service programs, including those for youth and seniors.

Chief Deputy County Executive Marilyn Gottlieb said the camera funds would be used for social programs, but would not say how the funds would be shared.

Despite the legislature's rush, the issue will not be part of the state budget as the administration had hoped and will again go before the Assembly Transportation Committee.

Suffolk lawmakers were to meet Wednesday on their home rule message on red light cameras.

The current proposed camera law would cover Nassau and Suffolk counties, and the cities of Buffalo and Yonkers.

Assemb. Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove), the sponsor of the camera bill, said Tuesday he is "more confident of the law's passage this year than last."

Paterson spokesman Errol Cockfield said, "Governor Paterson included the red light camera program as part of his executive budget proposal and he clearly supports that initiative . . . but it will be considered as part of the upcoming legislative session."

The request for a cigarette tax that included Nassau and Suffolk looked promising just a few weeks ago, but now seems dead, although lawmakers won't say for sure.

The new federal tobacco tax, which goes into effect Wednesday, already increases the price on a pack of cigarettes by about 60 cents and is opposed by a tobacco and a retail lobby.

County officials said Tuesday that the plan Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi presented to the legislature in February said that if the $30 million in new state-generated revenue did not happen, then a home energy fuel sales tax would be implemented July 1, bringing in about $18 million for the year, and social service agencies would have their county share cut by $12 million.

"If we only get part of the money from the requests before the state, I'm not sure how we will proceed - it's fluid," said Tom Stokes, the deputy county executive for finance.

By SID CASSESE
Posted Wednesday, April 1, 2009

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