Taxation

One of the most important issues facing Nassau County residents is the high burden of taxation. We have successfully lobbied the Nassau County Legislature on their effort to raise property taxes in fiscal years 2004 & 2005, a home heating fuel surcharge, and their attempt to raise their salary by 90%.

In October of 2006, we launched our initiative to provide property tax relief, "The Property Tax Reduction Law". Under the County Charter (the constitution of Nassau County government), a mechanism exists under Article 1A which authorizes qualified voters of Nassau County to draft and introduce legislation before the Nassau County legislature. This requires the gathering of signatures via the petition process which is then submitted to the country clerk to certify. Unless there are valid or viable legal objections, the legislation then goes to the legislature via the appropriate committee for their consideration. While it is up to the committee to accept or reject the legislation, the issue of tax relief then enters into the political process. If the legislature rejects the legislation by either voting it down in committee or holding the bill without voting, they will have to justify their actions before the people. 

In February 2008, a member of the board testified before NYS Commission on Property Tax Relief chaired by Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi. The NCCA came out in support of the proposed property tax cap and in opposition to the circuit breaker approach which would exclude the majority of Long Island taxpayers. In September 2008, a board member of the NCCA attended a second public meeting of the NYS Commission on Property Tax Relief. The Commission ultimately produced a final report to Governor Patterson in December 2008. 

In February 2009, a board member of the NCCA appeared at the Nassau County legislature in an effort to speak out in opposition to the proposed home heating fuel tax. Several legislators spoke with the NCCA prior to the vote and indicated that they would have to support the tax. Our opposition to the vote was expressed. When it came time for public comment, the process broke down and opponents were blocked from speaking. The NCCA posted the results of the vote and voting record of all legislators relating to hikes in the property tax. 

In January 2010, the NCCA came out in opposition to 32-47% pay raises for the leadership of the Nassau County legislature. The pay raises were rescinded in February 2010. Our action was consistent with opposition to the prior legislative majority’s effort to vote themselves double digit raises and the 60% salary increase for the four executive positions. We also opposed pay raises for the town of Hempstead and Oyster Bay.

In December 2017, the NCCA's five year effort to pass a Cancer tax credit for taxpayers and their dependents became a reality. The credit was included in the President's Tax Reform package passed by Congress and signed into law by President earlier today. The provision a "non refundable credit of $500 for non-child dependents to help defray the cost of caring for other dependents" remained in the final House-Senate conference. The credit can be used for medical expenses and or elder care for dependents seventeen or older. The credit does not cover child dependents under seventeen as the separate child tax credit was significantly increased.

Education

In April 2004, we challenged the proposal by the Lawrence school district to replace four fire escapes for two school buildings at a cost of approximately 1.1 million. An independent engineer disputed the recommendation for replacement and instead recommended the repair of these structurally sound fire escapes at significant cost savings to the taxpayers.  Unfortunately, the Lawrence school district went ahead with the project. On October 19, 2005, Newsday reported that a review by the state comptroller found the district's auditing firm "produced sloppy work that did not comply with auditing standards" and criticized the school board for poor oversight of the audits.  

In September 2006, Suffolk DA Spoda impaneled a grand jury to investigate corruption involving school districts in Suffolk County. The DA subpoenaed the records of every school district in Suffolk County and issued a report critical of lucrative benefit packages to school administrators, called for legislative changes and recommended citizen oversight before school boards authorize generous salary & benefit deals. We were gratified that the Grand Jury report adopted many of our reform proposals recommended back in July 2004.

Illegal Immigration

We have lobbied the Department of Homeland Security to address the crisis at our nation's borders. We lobbied congress to include the 911 commission's recommendations relating to illegal immigration and border security in the final intelligence reform bill out of the House/Senate conference committee (HR 10 & S 2845). In December of 2004, the congress passed and the President signed the Intelligence Reform bill into law. While the law contained the intelligence reforms, it did not include the immigration reforms which were passed by the House. While not all of the provisions were included, the legislation did call for minimum standards for driver licenses and personal identification cards. President Bush and members of the Senate conference committee agree to address the immigration reforms in 2005 as part of separate legislation.

On January 26, 2005, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman James F. Sensenbrenner (R) Wisconsin introduced the “Real ID Act”. The main provisions of the bill were as follows; establish a uniform rule for driver licenses in all fifty states, have licenses expire when an applicant’s visa expires, reform of the asylum law, mandate that grounds for inadmissibility in the U.S. such as links to terror related activities be grounds for deportation, and allow the final construction of a fence on the California border in San Diego. This legislation was signed into law by President Bush in May. The Nassau County Civic Association, Inc, and its members successfully lobbied members of Congress for passage of the Real ID Act. Our support of this legislation was noted on a petition submitted to the United States Senate. We would like to thank NumbersUSA which spearheaded the effort to pass this essential legislation. For more information, please read our article, "Illegal Aliens and Driver Licenses".

In April of 2004, Fox News reported Home Depot in Los Angles was going to allow a hiring hall for illegal aliens to open at one of their stores. It was our concern that this would lead to hiring halls at other Home Depot locations in Nassau County. For the last 18 months, we have sent correspondence and have communicated with members of Home Depot's executive management to determine the status of this effort. Our position in opposition was quite clear; while Home Depot is not responsible to enforce our nation's immigration policies, Home Depot does not have the right to violate the law. In October of 2005, the Fox News show, "The Big Story" with John Gibson reported that Home Depot has recently posted signs at their stores to ensure that there is no loitering on their property in response to illegal aliens soliciting work on their property. 

On June 4, 2006, several members of the NCCA participated in a protest in support of secure borders and against the  invasion of millions of illegal aliens. This protest took place in Garden City close to the Immigration office. Over 100 people showed for this successful protest. 

On June 21, 2006, several NCCA members attended a meeting at the Albertson VFW which featured former INS Agent Michael Cutler who provided expert testimony before congress. During this meeting, Pat Nicolosi (who is the President of a local civic association in Elmont) was informed of a ongoing problem in Franklin Square involving illegal alien day laborers who have been harassing and threatening local residents. The NCCA assisted Mr. Nicolosi by contacting local, state and federal officials requesting immediate assistance. Pat Nicolosi spearheaded the effort to remediate this ongoing problem with appearances on Fox News and a story in the New York Times. We applaud Pat Nicolosi!

During the question and answer session of the public forum "Immigration on Long Island: Our Challenge, Our Responsibility" held at Adelphi University on Thursday, May 15, 2008, Marianela Jordan, Executive Director of the Nassau County Coordinated Agency for Spanish Americans (CASA) acknowledged that CASA assists "undocumented immigrants" with filing out federal forms to obtain tax id numbers so they can work in Nassau county. The tax id numbers are issued by the U.S. Treasury Department in order to collect taxes even though the applicants are illegal aliens. After informing the Nassau County legislature, we received a response denying the practice but privately were informed that the practice was stopped after it was brought to the legislature's attention.

Defense of Marriage

We have lobbied all levels of government to defend marriage as the union of one man and one women. We have and will continue to hold our elected officials accountable to enforce New York's Constitution and New York State Law.

On March 2, 2004, letters were sent to Governor Pataki and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno over the failure of state officials to intervene against New Paltz mayor Jason West who began solemnizing Homosexual marriages in violation of Articles 2, 3 of the Domestic Relations Law. While Ulster County District attorney, Don Williams charged Mayor West with 19 misdemeanor counts, the Mayor vowed to continue to defy state law. The national public interest law firm, Liberty Counsel ultimately obtained injunctive relief against the Mayor and two other individuals he appointed to illegally solemnize homosexual marriages. 

The effort to sneak the bill through without allowing sufficient time for public disclosure was disgraceful. The public hearing was scheduled on a Monday morning immediately after the Spring break which coincided with Easter and Passover.  Many residents take vacation and return to work on the date of the hearing. While the current law requires notification to the public be provided within 4 days of the vote, Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs could have placed the issue on the agenda and posted the legislation on the county's website 30 days prior to the hearing.  She could have also scheduled an evening hearing to give residents an opportunity to speak. To ensure open and honest government, the Nassau County Civic Association, Inc submitted a bill to the legislature on the date of the hearing entitled, "The Disclosure and Accountability Reform Act". Please click on the link for details.

On July 30, 2006, letters were sent to all State Senators representing Nassau County and to Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno criticizing their failure to adequately defend marriage in NYS. While they defend marriage in word, they have been destroying it in deed with the passage of contrary incremental legislation.

In mid October, 2006, State Senator Nick Spano came out in support of homosexual marriage and promised to sponsor legislation to amend the Domestic Relations law. He also came out in support of legislation which would re-define gender roles. As his actions would effect every resident of New York State and Nassau residents, his position in support of these changes were disseminated to the public consistent with our mission statement.