Suffolk: Legislature Punts Non-Profit Bill; "Welfare to Work" Wants County Housing Summit

Members of the Suffolk County Legislature's Budget & Finance Committee voted this week to once again "table" a controversial bill (IR #1687) to add new regulations on non-profits beyond New York State's existing rules. That bill has so far divided the Republican supermajority and remains opposed by the Democratic minority.

As LIBOR wrote in our own letter of opposition: "An analysis from the Suffolk County Legislature’s own Budget Review Office indicated that the financial impact of this law would be 'indeterminate,' and sponsoring Legislators Trotta and Bergin have acknowledged that it may not yield any cost savings to the taxpayer. This admission underscores our concerns about unintended consequences without measurable public benefit."

Later at the Senior & Human Services Committee meeting this week, Chair Legis. Trish Bergin (R) advanced her bill to extend the Suffolk Welfare To Work Commission into 2025. During testimony, Commission head Richard Koubek called for a "countywide housing summit," citing how critical affordable housing was for both lower-income residents working to get off public assistance and middle-class professionals serving as healthcare workers or first responders. This news is welcomed by LIBOR and an idea we have encouraged in our own conversations with Suffolk County officials.