Legislators Trotta And Kennedy Oppose New Water Tax Proposal

Suffolk County Legislators Rob Trotta and Leslie Kennedy Stand Firm in Opposition to Sales Tax Increase for New Water Restoration FundLawmakers Will Not Support New Tax Until $200 Million in Hijacked Water Quality Funds Has Been Restored

Legislator Kennedy Legislator Trotta(Smithtown, NY)… Suffolk County Legislators Rob Trotta and Leslie Kennedy were the only two lawmakers to stand in opposition to a Home Rule Message approved by the Suffolk County Legislature today in support of New York State legislation that would amend Suffolk County’s water quality restoration fund allowing for a 1/8-cent sales tax increase to fund sewer expansion and waste water systems.

While both Legislators Trotta and Kennedy are champions for water quality, they remain steadfast in their belief that it is disingenuous for local government to subject taxpayers to higher taxes when the Bellone administration raided $200 million in clean water funds (the subject of a pending lawsuit) and has diverted $39 million of the existing 1/4-cent sales tax to the general fund, which most residents mistakenly believe is being used to promote water quality while accumulating $800 million in reserves.

“The Bellone administration betrayed the public by misusing hundreds of millions of dollars earmarked for clean water initiatives. If Suffolk County paid back the $200 million in clean water funds that were raided and utilized the $39 million in 1/4-cent sales tax monies already collected under the previous clean water referendum, we would be able to accomplish the same things an additional 1/8-cent sales tax could for the next 25 years,” said Legislator Trotta. “Let’s spend the existing funds correctly before we reach into the pockets of our hard- working taxpayers once again in the name of water quality,

” Trotta added.If the New York State bills are approved, the Suffolk County Legislature will then vote on legislation to place a referendum on the ballot this November for voters to decide if an additional 1/8-cent sales tax increase is desired.