Levy says he'll veto homeless sex offender bill

May 12, 2010
By REID J. EPSTEIN

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy will veto legislation aimed at ending the county's voucher program for homeless sex offenders, Levy's office said Wednesday.

Levy said the bill - which puts an immediate stop to the $90-a-day vouchers for homeless sex offenders to stay in hotel rooms while giving the county's Department of Social Services 30 days to develop a new housing plan that spreads them out across the county - would leave the county without the ability to house about two dozen county homeless sex offenders.

"While I laud the Legislature's willingness to acknowledge and address our state mandate to provide housing to all persons who present themselves to the Department of Social Services - including those who are registered sex offenders - this legislation may leave the Suffolk County Department of Social Services unable to meet that state mandate," Levy said.

Levy has 15 days to formally veto the bill. Once he does, lawmakers will have the option of either dropping the matter or seeking an override of the veto. The measure was approved Tuesday on a 14-4 vote and legislators will need 12 of 18 votes to override Levy's veto.

Presiding officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook), who wrote the legislation after consulting with Social Services commissioner Gregory Blass, said he is "disappointed" in Levy's decision. Lindsay's legislation would establish a network of mini-shelters in industrial areas and would cap at six the number of offenders in any legislative district.

"His voucher system isn't working," said Lindsay, who said he will seek to override the veto.

Nassau and Westchester use a similar voucher system to house homeless sex offenders. Levy last month signed legislation to require homeless sex offenders who take the vouchers to wear GPS tracking devices, though the system has yet to be implemented.

Laura Ahern, executive director of Parents for Megan's Law, said she "strongly opposes" the voucher system and hopes Lindsay's bill is enacted.

She said if there is no agreement between lawmakers and Levy, "then maybe consideration should be given to placing the options before voters via a referendum in November."

Last week, East End towns got a temporary court order to stop the county from using trailers in Riverhead and Westhampton to house homeless sex offenders.

Lindsay said the bill was his try at working with Levy. "He just wants to throw stones and not take responsibility," he said.

Levy spokesman Mark Smith blamed Lindsay for the voucher system's failure because legislators blocked funding for it and no sites have been named."The presiding officer's proposal is hardly a solution because there is not one site identified," Smith said. "It is questionable if any sites could be found given the many residency restrictions in place."

By By REID J. EPSTEIN
Posted Thursday, May 13, 2010

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