A statement from Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,C,I-Glen Head)

(Long Island, NY) “Once again, I am forced to come out of a budgetary process and question why we continue to let history repeat itself year after year. We offered comprehensive, alternative solutions to the typical way of operating that New Yorkers are all too familiar with, and when our solutions were outright rejected, we simply asked to be allowed the opportunity to read the bill and allow our constituents that same opportunity. Even that request was apparently asking too much. It is very clear that attempting to beat a deadline was prioritized over serving the needs of New York. Much to my dismay, the specter of former Speaker Sheldon Silver is alive and well. There could never be a greater example of why we need ethics reform, and why we needed it prior to attempting to pass this budget.

“Despite our reform solutions being completely ignored, we were able to secure many great things for our communities. First and foremost, the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) was finally restored, this along with the largest increase in school aid we’ve seen in years is huge for districts across the state. Local schools will be able to utilize these desperately needed funds in order to  provide their students and educators with the best possible learning environment and opportunities. Additionally, we secured $1 billion in middle-class tax cuts and $25 million more to further the fight to stop the heroin and opioid epidemic. These are tremendous victories for the state of New York. I just wish the process was one we could be equally proud of.”

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Police on Friday, April 1 arrested a St. James man for tampering with red light cameras in Smithtown.

A passing motorist called 911 to report a man placing plastic bags over two red light cameras at the intersection of Main Street and Landing Avenue at approximately 5:30 p.m. Based on the description given by the 911 caller, Bryan Valentine was located by a responding officer a short distance away.

Suffolk County Police on Friday, April 1 arrested Bryan Valentine, 26, of St. James for tampering with red light cameras in Smithtown. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle.

Valentine, 26, was charged with two counts of Criminal Tampering 2nd Degree. He will be held overnight at the Fourth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned on April 2 at First District Court in Central Islip.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

(Long Island, NY) The Homicide Squad reports the details of a Homicide that occurred on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at 8:25 a.m. in Glen Head.

According to detectives, third precinct patrol officers along with the Glen Head Fire Department responded to a residence on Walnut Street for a female, 20 years of age, bleeding severely. She was transported to an area hospital where it was determined that she had recently given birth.

Nassau County Police reports the arrest of Sharon Seudat, 20, of Glen Head for a Homicide that occurred on Thursday, March 31 in Glen Head. Photo Credit: NCPD.

Officers responded back to the home for a well check and located an unresponsive newborn baby girl at the home. The newborn was transported to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased by hospital staff. An autopsy revealed the baby was suffocated after being born in the home.

An investigation led to the arrest of the mother of the baby, Sharon Seudat, 20, in connection with this crime.

Seudat is charged with Murder 2nd degree and will be arraigned on Saturday, April 2, 2016 at First District Court in Hempstead.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Defendants are entitled to a fair trial with the burden on the prosecution to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

A statement from Assemblyman Chad A. Lupinacci (R,C,I-South Huntington)

(Long Island, NY) “This year’s budget process was the most secretive and least transparent during my time in Albany. While my colleagues and I have attempted to address these issues, it is business as usual for the Assembly Majority.

“Despite those shortcomings, I am pleased with the level of funding appropriated for education in this budget. For the first time since 2010, public school districts will see the complete restoration of funds withheld under the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) – a victory for all New Yorkers.

“In addition, SUNY students will benefit from $3.5 million earmarked for Small Business Development Centers as well as freezing tuition costs. These centers will prepare SUNY students for lifelong careers in business, giving future entrepreneurs the skilled workers they need to build a strong, stable economy.

“Lastly, I am thrilled to announce approximately $1 billion in middle-class tax cuts. These cuts will help ease the burden on our middle-class families. Cutting taxes was a priority of my conference and I am delighted we were able to accomplish it.”

A statement from Assemblyman Dean Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue)

(Long Island, NY) “Rushed through to the floor and crafted with zero public input or transparency, this is one of the most damaging budgets I have seen since being in office. Including the $15 minimum wage in this year’s budget will be devastating to our businesses and local economies. This budget will only further perpetuate the mass exodus from our state as the rising burden of taxes and increasing operating costs force businesses to shut down and hardworking taxpayers to leave.

“This minimum wage increase is more than a 100 percent increase in the state minimum wage since 2013. New York’s economy certainly hasn’t grown that much in the same time, so how is that sound economic policy? The Town of Brookhaven estimates a $15 minimum wage would add a $2.2 to $2.4 million burden on taxpayers. This is only one example of a town that will be devastated by this policy, and I fear for how many other local municipalities across the state will be similarly affected. It is truly a disgrace that the governor and Assembly Democrats are prioritizing a political agenda over the actual needs of New Yorkers.

“While I certainly support helping the hardworking people of New York who are struggling to get by, I don’t think chasing businesses out of the state and forcing them to close down will help.”

A statement from Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square)

(Long Island, NY) “This year’s budget process has been clouded by secrecy and dysfunction from the very beginning. From closed-door discussions to pushing through numerous bills at all hours of the day and night, our ability to best serve the priorities of our constituents has been greatly inhibited.

“It is equally shameful that, even with a $154 billion budget bill, we still have not adopted the Veterans Buyback Bill to take care of the many brave veterans in our state who have sacrificed so much for us. The governor, once again, has gone back on his word to provide these servicemen and women with the benefits they have honorably earned.

“Despite my frustration with the proceedings and the omission of some essential provisions, I am extremely pleased that the unfair education cuts from 2010 will finally be restored. Preparing our children for the future is one of my top priorities, and this record school aid and long-overdue, complete restoration of the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) will ensure the programs, quality educators and opportunities that they need to be successful. Restoring these funds and enacting a $1 billion middle-class tax cut provide a shimmer of light in a process and product that leaves much to be desired.”

Assemblyman Ra represents the 19^th Assembly District.

Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) issues statement on the 2016-17 New York State Budget

(Long Island, NY) “I am proud to announce that we have passed a state budget that finally fully restores the 2011 education cuts known as the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA), delivers a record amount of school aid for our educators and students, and secures a $1 billion middle-class tax cut. Long Island schools and taxpayers have suffered for far too long and I am proud to see us starting to make real progress.

“Unfortunately, despite the tremendous accomplishments in this budget, the process was far from transparent. The ‘three men in a room’ conducted closed-door meetings and exercised their power to strong-arm the Legislature into capitulation. We had mere hours to review bills before voting, and much debate was done under the cover of darkness to mitigate dissent. This is not true democracy and New Yorkers deserve better.”

Newly created program aims to reduce false alarms that cost more than 2 million dollars annually and divert emergency resources

(Long Island, NY) The Suffolk County Police Department has announced the launch of the Alarm Management Program of Suffolk (AMPS) which is being implemented to reduce the thousands of false alarms that the Suffolk County Police Department responds to each year.

False alarms are more than an inconvenience—they take up time and energy of emergency personnel who may be needed to respond to real emergencies. In 2015, Suffolk County Police responded to more than 97,000 false alarms which consumed more than 32,000 patrol hours and cost more than $2,100,000.  User error, system malfunctions and environmental triggers are the leading causes of false alarms; however, false alarms are preventable.

Beginning April 1, Suffolk County will open its Alarm Registration Portal accessible through www.suffolkpd.org for citizens to register alarms system. Individuals can also register their home or commercial alarm in person at Police Headquarters, located at 30 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).  On June 1, AMPS will be fully implemented to reduce the thousands of false alarms that the Suffolk County Police Department responds to each year.

The initial permit registration is $50 for residences and $100 for businesses.

(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced the H. Lee Dennison Building in Hauppauge will be lit blue from April 2-9 in recognition of Autism Awareness Month.  According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 68 child born is affected by the developmental disability.

“Autism affects many families here in Suffolk County. While there is no known cause or cure for it, public awareness is a key component to educating those who may not be familiar with autism, including information pertaining to early warning signs, treatment options and educational opportunities,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.  “We will light the building blue once again this year to promote autism awareness and to show our support for those who are affected by the condition.

The announcement comes on the eve of the one year anniversary that County Executive Bellone signed the “Light it up Blue” legislation into law, which was passed unanimously by the Suffolk County Legislature.

In 2015, County Executive Bellone and Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern hosted 13-year-old Suffolk County resident Nova Shek and her family, along with autism awareness advocates and community members, at the H. Lee Dennison Building for an illumination ceremony in recognition of Shek’s advocacy on behalf of her younger brother, Zen.

For more information on the County’s initiative to promote autism awareness, visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov or www.facebook.com/stevebellone.

(Long Island, NY) Bideawee Inc. announces the launch of its 2016 Matchmaking Tour that will be on the road in Manhattan and in Long Island communities with adoptable pets in April 2016.  The Tour boasts a new, 26 foot van, equipped with comfy, animal-friendly cages that can transport up to 20 adoptable Bideawee animals.  The new Bideawee Mobile Adoption Unit will be on site at adoption events throughout the area to allow interested adopters to select a dog, cat, puppy or kitten in need of a forever home with a loving family.

Bideawee Inc. announces the launch of its 2016 Matchmaking Tour with adoptable pets in April 2016. Photo Credit: Bideawee.

The Bideawee Mobile Adoption Unit was made possible through a Challenge Grant from the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold foundation that was matched by a gift from the Freed Foundation, Inc.  The generous donation affords Bideawee the opportunity to reach out to communities to help adoptable animals find homes in the New York metropolitan area and throughout Long Island.  Bideawee Adoption Matchmakers will travel on the Matchmaking Tour to facilitate rewarding family adoptions at various event locations, such as Shake Shack venues, the Long Island Aquarium, Martha Clara Vineyards, Donaldsons Subaru dealership and more.

Interested adopters can visit the Bideawee website to learn about upcoming events in their area, at: www. Bideawee.org/events.

About Bideawee
Bideawee, which means “stay awhile,” in Scottish, is one of the country’s oldest and most respected animal welfare and pet adoption organizations. Founded in 1903, Bideawee has been cultivating and supporting the life-long relationships between pets and the people that love them for more than 100 years.  Bideawee operates one facility in New York City and two on Long Island in Westhampton and Wantagh. Bideawee offers a range of services at its Adoption Centers, Animal Hospitals, Learning Centers and Pet Memorial Parks.  Bideawee is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 humane animal organization and 100% of Bideawee’s funding comes from private sources. For more information visit: www.bideawee.org.