Top 10 Suffolk Legislature Actions Of 2010

Suffolk County Legislature, based in Hauppauge, makes a number of votes and actions each year. Its actions create and shape the laws that hold influence over the everyday lives of local residents.

Since October, Suffolk County Legislature has put into place a number of laws and actions that will continue to influence the county in coming months. Here are the top 10 legislative actions of 2010:

1.  Legislature votes down sale of Foley nursing home. 

The latest development in a more than two-year battle between Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy and the legislature, legislators refused to allow Levy to execute the $36 million sale of the Foley Skilled Nursing facility in Yaphank. Profit from its sale was included in the adopted 2011 county operating budget, and it is not funded past March 31, 2011, creating a standoff.

2. Suffolk creates oversight committee for LIPA.

After years of complaints by county residents, Suffolk County Legislature voted to create a six-person oversight committee to study various aspects of the utility company in order to "shine light" on its practices.  Some questioned whether the commission would be effective, or was within the legislature's legal authority.

3. Suffolk Legislature Approves Final Hiring Authority of Elected Dept. Heads.

At the Dec. 21 meeting, Suffolk County Legislature found County Executive Steve Levy had overstepped his bounds as elected officials heading the District Attorney, Treasurer, Clerk, Comptroller and Sheriff's offices have the right to hire personnel as necessary within budget for their offices. The measure was approved 16-2, and is awaiting Levy's signature or veto. 

4. County approves New Homeless Sex Offender program, which Levy promises to veto.

Legislatures voted to approve bills requiring the Department of Social Services to enter a contract with Community Housing Incorporated to provide a new housing for homeless sex offenders, that would distribute them across Suffolk County. Levy said he promises to veto the legislation. 

5. Worth mentioning is a new local law that requires sex offenders to report their overnight locations was approved on Dec. 7.

6. Suffolk County Legislature approved a law that will increase county bus fare by 50 cents, from $1.50 to $2, to pay for the implementation of Sunday bus services across the county. County Executive Steve Levy said he will veto the bill, that passed 11-7 on Dec. 21.

7. Pay attention, serving alcohol to under age minors bears heavier penalties after Suffolk County legislators approved strengthening the Social Host Law on Dec. 7. It raises the penalty for first time offenders to a $500 fine, and all subsequent offenses will be considered a misdemeanor carrying a penalty of a $1,000 fine and/or one year in jail.

8. Suffolk County legislature and Levy are joined in their support of a implementing a new shotspotter program for Huntington Station, passed by a 15-3 vote on a certificate of necessity at the legislature's Dec. 21 meeting. The program is designed to help Suffolk County police locate the area in which a gun has been fired.

9. The legislature established new automated calling program to notify county residents before distributing rabies baits in the fall and spring. It will mirror the notification program used when areas are sprayed for mosquitoes.

10. A new local law that reduces minors access to spray paint by placing restrictions on its sale was approved on Dec. 7.