1999 Legislative Priorities
- Address the shortage of skilled workers and engineers through support of additional funding for engineering schools on Long Island.
- Support initiatives to encourage the development of affordable housing on Long Island.
- Support a $25 million increase in the Affordable Home Ownership Program to encourage the construction of affordable housing on Long Island.
- Support legislation to require reassessment every three years.
- Support legislative changes in assessment practices to provide small claims assessment review proceedings for small businesses.
- Support the phase-out or elimination of the temporary MTA surcharge. Promote the use of the current MTA surplus to reduce the surcharge to provide relief for Long Islanders.
- Support elimination of NYC commuter tax.
- Support an accelerated phase-out of the gross receipts tax on electric, gas and water utility sales or apply the tax on a physical-unit-of-use rather than a dollar basis.
- Support changes in state law to clarify the status of independent contractors and to ensure compatibility among state agencies.
- Support federal legislation accelerating the deductibility of health insurance premiums for small businesses, sole proprietors and individuals.
- Support legislation to provide tax incentives for businesses to provide day care and elder care services at their businesses.
- Support legislation to require all special district elections to be conducted on the same day.
- Support initiatives to reduce the cost of special education including restrictions on who can be placed upon the selection committee and a financial incentive to districts to mainstream students to the fullest extent practicable, excluding 4201 schools and their students.
- Support funding for school rehabilitation based on local contribution of funds or effort.
- Support redistribution of Tourism Matching Funds to more closely reflect the amount of visitors in each region and the development of a dedicated fund for tourism promotion.
- Support amendments to federal law for direct access to visitor centers and tourist information signs along Long Island highways. Encourage development of visitor centers along Long Island highways to promote public education, economic development, tourism and improved motorist support services.
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