NASSAU COUNTY CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC. "The government is us, we are the government, you and I." Teddy Roosevelt

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March 29,  2007

Freeport Library, 144 W. Merrick Rd, Freeport, NY

Executive Director Robert Kosowski discussed the status of the NCCA's effort to aggressively push for tax reduction. He stated that it is imperative to get the attention of politicians at all levels of government including schools on the issue of taxes. He discussed one particular effort in detail, The Property Tax Reduction Law. He advised that this effort involves the gathering of voter signatures to introduce legislation before the Nassau County Legislature which still may reject the legislation in committee. He advised that while signatures have already been obtained, several NCCA members and supporters have expressed disagreement with the initiative explaining that the same outcome can be obtained if a member of the legislature introduces the legislation. He advised that based on this feedback, the effort will be discontinued and the NCCA will focus on having the bill introduced by a member of the legislature. He invited all in attendance come to the meeting of Long Islanders for Education Reform which is set for May 7th at the Huntington Hilton.  

Director Paul Kosowski discussed the NCCA's effort to push the legislature to introduce and pass The Disclosure and Accountability Reform Law. He stated that this legislation will bring greater accountability by government to the taxpayer and will open up the legislative process to the people. He advised that copies of this legislation were given to all legislators initially in April 2006, but there was no movement on the legislation. He stated that the effort to introduce this legislation before the legislature similar to The Property Tax Reduction Law was discontinued for the same reason as previously discussed. He advised that this legislation was discussed personally with several legislators on both sides of the aisle who indicated their support. He stated that several copies were again provided to members of the legislature.

Director Paul Kosowski discussed the issue of sexual predators and the NCCA's effort to pass New York's Civil Confinement Law. He addressed the particulars of the legislation which was signed into law this month by Governor Spitzer. Executive Director Robert Kosowski addressed the legal mechanism specified in the law and legislation which closes a legal loophole resulting from a recent court decision that restricts the prosecution of individuals who send children written descriptions or depictions of nudity to a child by computer to solicit sex.    

Executive Director Robert Kosowski discussed the effort by Merck to pass legislation in several states including New York to mandate all school aged females be vaccinated by the drug Gardasil. He discussed the studies conducted by Merck which cite that Gardasil reduces the risk of cervical cancer caused by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) and the many assumptions drawn from or based on the study. He stated that mandating the use of Gardasil is based on limited data and conclusions which are speculative in nature. He stated that it is one thing to market a drug to the general population and another to engage in a secret campaign to pass legislation to mandate its use by our children. He pointed out that Assembly member, Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale) who vowed to sponsor the legislation received a political donation from Merck. He stated that the NCCA contacted members of the legislation and expressed opposition to the legislation. He advised that last month, Merck announced that they will cease their marketing campaign to mandate the use of Gardasil.