TIMES BEACON ENDORSEMENT

While incumbent Assemblyman Marc Alessi

and current county Legislator Dan Losquadro

agree on many issues — including the MTA payroll

tax, the desire to change the school aid formula

and the support of a tax cap — it seems that not

much is changing in Albany.

We applaud Alessi’s willingness to speak out

against government corruption, his passion for

alternative energy and his ideas about incentivizing

companies to come to New York through tax

credits. However we think it’s time for some real

solutions for the state and for Long Island.

Alessi has served in the Assembly for the last

fi ve years and, while one person cannot be blamed

for an entire state’s problems, it seems that our current

assemblyman is great at talking about the solutions

— and he has some great ones — but hasn’t

been able to do much to implement them, even

with the help of a Democratic majority. For this

reason we are endorsing Legislator Dan Losquadro

for Assembly in the 1st District.

At the county level Losquadro has proven to be

an eff ective leader and truly understands how to

attract new businesses and foster existing ones. If

he takes this experience and knowledge to the state

level — as well as continuing his commitment to

the environment and land preservation, lowering

taxes and working within the constraints of a budget

— we are confi dent New York and Long Island

will be closer to economic stability in the years to

come.

LOSQUADRO TO ALESSI: STOP DODGING YOUR REAL, FAILED RECORD

Assembly candidate Dan Losquadro today said his opponent should stop dodging his Albany record and tell the truth to the constituents of the 1st Assembly district.

“The voters of the 1st Assembly district don’t want to re-elect someone who has raised taxes and fees over 40 times during an economic crisis,” Losquadro said.   “It is wrong and misleading for my opponent to dodge his real record and represent himself to voters as a fiscal conservative, which couldn’t be further from the truth.”

As the North Fork’s representative in the state Assembly, Marc Alessi voted 45 times to increase taxes and fees by $6.6 billion on everything from salt water fishing licenses to back to school clothing and bottled water.  Alessi also voted to eliminate the STAR rebate check program, cut aid to Long Island schools by $173 million and slash funding for economic development by $450 million in this year’s state budget. 

“The North Fork deserves better,” Losquadro said.  “Long Island needs representatives in state government who will stand up and fight for their interests, instead of kowtowing to the Albany political bosses.  That’s why I am running for Assembly.  The North Fork needs a voice in the ‘people’s chamber’ who will be an advocate for their needs and interests.  I will be that representative.”

Losquadro remarked that as Assemblyman, he would work to repeal the job-killing MTA tax, cut and cap property taxes and ensure that Long Island schools receive their fair share of school aid.  Losquadro also pledged to lead the fight to bring fiscal responsibility to Albany by capping state spending, banning borrowing without voter consent and require a 2/3rds vote for any and all tax increases.

“For too long, Marc Alessi has voted with his party leadership – 92% of the time -- to the detriment of Long Island and the benefit of New York City,” Losquadro said.  “This needs to change -- Long Island taxpayers deserve better.”

Losquadro TV

http://tinyurl.com/2cupf32

Alessi Double Speak

Democrat Assemblyman Claims to Take on LIPA While Pocketing Campaign Cash From a Trustee

“NYS Assemblyman Marc Alessi, who made bashing the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) a cause célèbre has been inconspicuously absent from the public discourse about LIPA since the Democrat party took control of the Authority,” said Suffolk County Republican Chairman John LaValle. 

Apparently, Alessi’s silence is being rewarded with campaign contributions and fund raising from a LIPA Trustee.  Trustee, David L. Calone of Babylon, a lawyer and the President and CEO of Jove Equity Partners LLC, a private equity and venture capital firm is hosting a $150 per person fund raiser for Alessi at the Harborfront Inn at Greenport on October 6.

“This Trustee fund raiser raises important questions about Alessi and his campaign,” LaValle said.  “Is the self-proclaimed LIPA watchdog turned into the LIPA lapdog?  I am concerned that while LIPA continues to seek increases from our residents and ratepayers, that Assemblyman Alessi has failed to stand up for the residents of his district,” LaValle said.  “There is clearly the appearance of a conflict of interest, if not a direct conflict of interest,” he added.

“Despite Alessi’s rhetoric otherwise, LIPA has become a bloated public authority whose spending and salaries have not been reigned in,” LaValle said, “Dan Losquadro is campaigning for tougher financial disclosure requirements for elected state officials.  We need representatives in the Assembly who will create a more transparent and responsive government.  This latest mishap by Alessi clearly shows he is not as interested in the needs of his constituents as he is in the desires of the special interests.  If the people want their government back, they will need to elect individuals who are committed to serving them.”

##

Alessi Votes for NYC Interests More Than LI

Marc Alessi votes with NYC and Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver more than 92% of the time. that's great for NYC and BAD for Long Island.

Greenport Maritime Festival

Dan Losquadro, center, marches in the annual Greenport Maritime Festival Parade

Local Leaders: Economic Recovery Dependent Upon End to Democrats’ Tax and Spend Agenda. Losquadro Unveils Economic Development Master Plan.

Assembly Candidate Dan Losquadro today joined NY State Senator Ken LaValle and Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter at a news conference to call for an end to the out of control tax and fee increases imposed upon Long Island by New York State Democrats who control the legislature.

“The Democrat controlled majorities have enacted more than $14 billion in tax and fee hikes over the last two years that have devastated our economy, cost us jobs, and negatively impacted our downtowns,”  said New York State Senator Ken Lavalle. “In addition to the tax increases, the Democrats also eliminated $1.6 billion in property tax relief for Long Island families.”

“During one of the worst economic downturns in a generation, the Democrat controlled legislature has given us some of the largest tax increases in state history,” said Assembly candidate Dan Losquadro.

“Incumbent Democrat Marc Alessi, despite his tough rhetoric to the contrary, voted with Assembly Speaker Shelly Silver 92% of the time. That’s good for New York City and bad for Long Island. I’ll always vote for Long Island and our interests,” Losquadro declared.

“These job killing taxes enacted by the Democrat majorities have stifled economic growth and placed enormous burdens on families and seniors living on fixed incomes. To fight this onslaught, Long Islanders need leaders in Albany with a proven record of cutting taxes and reducing spending. Dan Losquadro will be an important ally in the fight to bring fiscal discipline to Albany,” LaValle said.

“Families are hurting, businesses are struggling; yet state Democratic elected officials continue to increase taxes and fees on the backs of hard working Long Islanders. As your Assemblyman I will fight to repeal the job killing MTA payroll tax and ensure that our schools receive their fair share of state education resources,” said Losquadro.

“Changing Albany’s Democrat majority whose fiscal mismanagement and outdated policies have brought the Empire State to its knees is key to jump starting our economy,” Losquadro said.

From the MTA payroll tax to this year’s Democrat constructed state budget that slashed economic development funding by more than half, the majority leadership in Albany continues to enact policies that kill jobs and hurt Main St.,” Riverhead town Supervisor Sean Walter said.

“As town supervisor I need partners in the State Capital who will work to cut taxes, provide economic incentives for small business that will see our downtowns grow again as well as enacting policies that will strengthen the region’s tourism,” Walter added.

Losquadro said his Economic Development Master Plan for creating jobs and reviving the economy includes:

• Cut and cap state spending
• Cap property taxes and create a STAR program for small businesses
• Eliminate the corporate income tax to make New York a more competitive place to own a business, create jobs and encourage economic investment
• Ban back door borrowing through public authorities and without voter approval
• Repeal  the job killing, MTA payroll tax – one of numerous taxes that fund the State’s largest public authority
• Eliminate unfunded state mandates that increase local costs.

Losquadro explained that the Economic Development Master Plan unites our economic development efforts under one comprehensive blueprint to attract new companies and retain those here.

Losquadro also said that Albany must pass an aggressive pro-business initiative focused on removing the lengthy certification process once contained within the Empire Zones (and currently the Excelsior Jobs Program) and target mid-market companies with potential for growth statewide, including software, biotechnology, and health care companies. Losquadro said public-private partnerships should also be developed to support long-term economic growth.

According to an analysis done by Suffolk County, to date, 55 companies have been able to take advantage of the Suffolk County Empire Zone, resulting in nearly $85 million in capital improvement investments by these firms. Additionally, 15 major employers, through the Regionally Significant designation have kept over 4,200 jobs in the county and created more than 1,200. These figures do not include Canon, which will retain 1200-1300 jobs and create 700-800 when it relocates to Melville.

Alessi on Property Tax Cap: No Response

Suffolk Leaders Attend Losquadro Campaign Kick-Off

Pictured above from left: Brookhaven Town Leaders Richard Johannesen (Conservative Party Chairman) and Jesse Garcia (Republican Party Chairman), Ron Nehring (California State Republican Chairman), John J. LaValle (Suffolk County Republican Chairman) and Assembly Candidate Dan Losquadro welcome volunteers and supporters at the gala opening of Losquadro Campaign Headquarters in Miller Place on Saturday, September 18.

“Suffolk County residents need and deserve relief from the failed economic policies of the Democrat majorities in Albany,” Losquadro said. “I am pleased to see so many motivated volunteers willing to sacrifice their weekends and free time to spread our message of reform and tax relief.”

Losquadro said more than 50 volunteers and supporters gathered to collect literature, lawn signs and other campaign materials for distribution throughout the community.

Dan joined supporters, volunteers, elected and party officials earlier in the day at the campaign's Southold Headquarters in Mattituck where many picked up literature and other campaign materials for distribution in the community.

Bi-Partisan Business and Taxpayer Groups: Alessi Is Anti-Business, Anti- Job Creation, Anti-Taxpayer.

The Business Council of New York, a leading New York State business group, composed of thousands of New York small and large companies, chambers of commerce and trade associations says that New York State First District Assemblyman Marc Alessi voted for job and small business killing legislation a whopping 85% of the time. The findings are in the groups’ 2009-10 voter guide.

“In the past two years, the Democratic legislative majorities have consistently voted to tax more, spend more, and regulate more,” said Kenneth Adams, president and CEO of The Business Council of New York State, Inc. The Business Council goes on to say that there is “… a dramatic difference in the two major parties on business issues, with a significant majority of Senate and Assembly Republicans casting votes to reject new economic burdens and to support private sector investment and jobs creation, while only two Democrats sided with the Business Council's pro-jobs agenda in more than half their votes.”

“Mr. Alessi and his party – the Democrat Majority – that brought us the business-crippling MTA payroll tax are clueless about Long Island and Suffolk County’s economic and tax cutting needs,” said Suffolk County Legislator and Assembly Candidate Dan Losquadro.

“Nearly 98 percent of all New York businesses are small ones – about 1.7 million

in the state, according to the U.S. Department of Labor,” Losquadro said, adding that “more than half of all working New Yorkers earn a paycheck from a small business owner.”

Losquadro said that when elected he will push for job and business creating reforms including:

• restoring the one percent lower tax rate for small businesses
• provide a Small Business Energy Tax Reduction
• require that at least 15 percent of state contracts are with businesses employing 100 or fewer employees
• establish a Business STAR Program to make property owned by a small business (100 or fewer employees) eligible for the basic STAR benefits, reducing the property tax burden
• reduce the waiting period from 12 months to six months for eligibility in The Healthy NY program for small businesses. The program was created to help small businesses, sole proprietors and individuals acquire affordable health insurance. However, many businesses and individuals are not eligible for this program because current rules prohibit them from having provided or possessed health insurance in the past 12 months.

 The Business Council of New York’s findings come on the heels of another group's, Unshackle Upstate New York, dedicated to changing the way New York State government treats taxpayers and private sector businesses. Unshackle Upstate New York released its legislative scorecards for the 2009-10 session on August 30 and ranked Alessi a miserable 8 out of 100 on its taxpayer scorecard.

The full report card can be found here: http://www.unshackleupstate.com/scorecard-new/assembly-scorecard.cfm?card=2

“Mark Alessi is out of touch with the issues and needs of my neighbors on the

East End and in Brookhaven,” said Losquadro.

“Instead of working to create jobs, Alessi is driving businesses and young people away. Obviously, he is not listening to my neighbors who, like me, agree that enough is enough! We need someone who has a record and the will to fight for our future and our children's future, and that someone is me,” Losquadro concluded.

A Month Late, Assemblyman Joins Call For Forensic Audit of MTA. Or So It Seems.

More than a month after Suffolk Legislator and Assembly Candidate Dan Losquadro joined New York State Assembly and legislative Republicans at the Hicksville train station to demand a forensic audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Assemblyman Marc Alessi have at last joined in demanding the MTA be held accountable – or so it seems.

The State Comptroller announced August 30 that he was launching a “Forensic Audit of MTA Overtime Spending,”  though makes no mention of Alessi in the posted news release.  In an undated news release sent by Alessi on September 7, he claims a joint announcement. Clearly, his claim is not accurate and comes eight days after DiNapoli’s news release and more than a month after Legislator Losquadro demanded the troubled transit agency undergo a full and transparent accounting of its financial health. 

And despite Alessi’s assertions in the campaign news release that “I have been calling for this audit for years,”  there are no news releases on his member website going as far back as September 2005 attesting to that fact.

Assembly Candidate and Suffolk County Legislator / Minority Leader Dan Losquadro, Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,I,C- Glen Head), Dean Murray (R,C-East Patchogue), Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R,I,C-East Northport), Nassau County Legislator Rose Walker; Town of Oyster Bay Councilman Anthony Macagnone; and Lionel Chitty, President of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce all stood at the Hicksville train station on August 2 to demand the troubled transit agency undergo a full and transparent accounting of its financial health. 

“I am glad The Comptroller and assemblyman have joined with us in calling for an audit of the MTA,” Losquadro said, “even though it is limited to overtime spending. I hope that perhaps in another month, they will join us in the call for a full forensic audit of the agency to determine how our tax dollars are being wasted.” 

Losquadro Southold Campaign Headquarters Sign Stolen, Quickly Recovered by Southold Town Police.

A Dan Losquadro Southold campaign headquarter's sign was stolen during the busy Labor Day weekend, but quickly recovered by Southold Town Police who were alerted to the theft Monday morning.


Southold Town Police Officer Daniel Mackay recovered the 7 ft. x 3 ft. vinyl banner down the road from Losquadro’s Southold headquarters which is located in the law offices of Stephen Kiely at Main Rd. and Love Lane in Mattituck.


The sign was mounted high atop Kiely’s office building and securely affixed more than 10 feet off the ground to the building’s facade. Kiely discounted wind as a factor in the sign’s disappearance. “The sign’s mountings were clearly twisted and tampered with,” Kiely said, “and the theft was clearly aimed at keeping Dan’s name from the view of throngs of visitors during the busy holiday weekend.”

Both Assembly Candidate Dan Losquadro and Kiely were quick to thank the Southold Police Department and fast action by Officer Mackay. “Clearly,” Losquadro said, “this was not the crime of the century. We do, though, appreciate the officer keeping an eye out for, and ultimately locating our sign.”

“I had little hope of the sign being recovered,” Kiely said, “and will now install even sturdier mounts.” Kiely also said he is considering installing some type of video surveillance for the front of the building.

 “I do hope,” Losquadro continued, “that this is not the beginning of silly campaign tactics by my opponent’s staff and volunteers. We have instructed our volunteers that irresponsible behavior such as stealing and defacing signs is off limits and anyone doing so will be dismissed and the instance referred to the proper authorities. I hope my opponent will join me in doing the same,” Losquadro said.

Reforming NY State Government: Pension Reform

By Daniel P. Losquadro


The first in a series of messages from NYS Assembly Candidate and Suffolk County Legislator Daniel P. Losquadro about the path to Reforming New York State Government. 

Many states, New York included, now concede that they have promised their workers pensions they cannot afford and are cutting benefits to soothe angry taxpayers and attempt to close gaping budget shortfalls.

And here in New York, just when we thought we had heard the worst, came the news from the State Comptroller a short time ago that he is lowering the assumed rate of return for the state pension system. This bad news came just after the state announced and adopted a plan to borrow from the state pension fund to make constitutionally required payments to the same fund — with interest.

And just this year, - despite months of wrangling about how to close a black hole of a budget deficit -- there were, according to The New York Times, 50 bills before New York’s legislature that would add to pension benefits.

You can’t make this stuff up.

There is one sad truth in all of this: we all end up paying more. Local governments will have pay dearly to make up the shortfalls suffered by the pension system and that means, you guessed it, higher taxes.

Thank you, Albany.

How do we move forward without depriving retirees and existing employees of benefits they have already earned?

New York must immediately fix its pension laws to enable public employers to implement lower-cost benefits for new employees. We must also immediately eliminate the loopholes that inflate employee’s wages used to determine benefits.

I know you’ve read and heard about New York State enacting pension reform in the past. Late last year’s headlines proclaimed “landmark reforms” that will “save billions.” The problem? These new “reforms only created yet another non-sustainable ‘tier’ in our already crippled system. Worse yet, the state will now be taxing the contribution of those very employees whose system they purported to reform.”

As a Suffolk County Legislator, I represent thousands of single parents and families who work two jobs -- assuming they still have jobs -- to earn barely enough to save for retirement, if at all.

Those same parents and families would happily agree that a hardworking police officer deserves every dime of his or her pension for risking life and limb; or a teacher, or state or county worker for that matter who has put in their time, worked hard and wishes to retire. But, the relevant question isn't whether anyone deserves that benefit, but whether we can afford it.

We can start to fix this problem now by making smart reforms and implementing retirement benefit packages similar to those used by the private sector for more than two decades. We should also be tapping the private sector expertise to help develop a new program and new rules – rules that are fair to workers and to taxpayers.

In New York we must:

• create a pension plan for new public employees similar to a 401K plan
• eliminate the use of overtime and vacation time for calculating a public employees’ pensions 
• eliminate waivers that allow retired public pensioners to sidestep the state law that caps any additional state salary at $30,000 when one is already receiving a state pension. 

How are other states battling the crisis?

A bold solution was introduced in Utah by Republican State Senator Dan Lijenquist and signed into law in March of this year.

The Utah reform changes the pension system for public employees to a fixed defined state contribution. A fixed contribution means the state no longer has to raise or lower contributions to the fund in response to market fluctuations. The state contribution is fixed each year at 10% of the employees’ salary whether fund investments are doing well or poorly. If the investments take a dive and earn too little to sustain the guaranteed benefits, the state is not obligated to pay more that the fixed 10% and the employee would have to make up the difference out of his or her salary. If the investments do well, the state still invests the 10% annually and if there is anything over and above the amount needed to meet guaranteed benefits, the worker gets to invest the difference in a personal 401(k) according to parameters set by the state retirement system. Workers are not permitted to borrow from or against the 401(k). Workers can also opt out of the system and have the state forward its contribution to the employees 401(k).

While this might not be the solution to New York’s problem, an innovative plan like this is worth considering and demonstrates that with cooperation and independent thinking reforms can be achieved.

Share your thoughts: danforassembly@danlosquadro.com


NY Post Article
ALBANY – Even while telling New Yorkers to pony up $1.3 billion more next year to cover soaring pension costs, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is advertising on his official Website how government workers can game the system.

Losquadro Encourages Participation in North Fork Soldier Ride

Mount Sinai, New York – Legislator Daniel P. Losquadro (R-Shoreham) is encouraging all to participate in the North Fork Soldier Ride,  the first cycling event of its kind on the North Fork of Long Island. Proceeds from the ride will help support our nation’s wounded soldiers and raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Legislator Losquadro works with members of the Rocky Point VFW to raise money for wounded warriors.

“Providing assistance to those injured in battle is the least we can do for the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country,” Legislator Losquadro said. “I encourage as many people as possible to participate in this worthy cause.”

“All of our troops are special,” said Joe Cognitore, Commander of the Rocky Point VFW Post 6249. “For those that go that little extra and raise money for them, I applaud them and support them anyway possible. We at Post 6249 thank and appreciate all who support our troops.”

The North Fork Soldier Ride will take place on Saturday, September 18 at Mitchell Park in Greenport, located at 115 Front Street. Riders may choose from a 5, 12, 30 and 40 mile course. Registration fees include a t-shirt, light breakfast and barbecue lunch upon return. For more information, please log on to Soldier Ride. 

For more information about the Wounded Warrior Project, please visit  www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

  

Losquadro: Join Nassau in MTA Tax Lawsuit

Suffolk legislators unveil new legislation directing the county to join Nassau County's lawsuit against the MTA Payroll Tax.

The South Shore Press reports.

A solution will only help Long Island's environment

The North Shore Sun

Editorial

ATV riders and Long Island's powerful environmental community have long been at odds. For the most part, the environmentalists -- with the backing of the state DEC -- view the sport as dangerous and destructive toward nature.

The ATV operators don't entirely disagree, but feel they're mistreated and misunderstood, and that if Suffolk County established public trails, riders would be better monitored and destructive practices could be reigned in.

From an economic standpoint, a county task force formed five years ago found that public tracks, operated privately, could generate revenue for the county. Such facilities could also help keep ATV enthusiasts from traveling off Long Island -- to other states where there are legal, public trails -- to practice their sport, keeping their money at local businesses.

Public tracks would also keep ATV users off environmentally sensitive areas of Long Island, the task force found.

But there appear to be a few roadblocks in the way of that happening. Chief among those roadblocks, according to Legislator Dan Losquadro, is that there is little support, among environmentalists and in government, for spending conservation money on damaged sites -- such as former sand mines -- to establish public riding spots. That's short-sighted.

We can't deny what Pine Barrens Society head Dick Amper asserts, that "ATVs tear up the terrain, destroy plants, scare animals, introduce pollutants into the air and water and pose a serious safety risk for people peacefully using the woods."

But he can't deny this -- that ATV riders are doing that anyway, every day, and in many cases on the region's most pristine lands, such as in the Pine Barrens and on the beaches and bluffs of Shoreham and Northville.

Mr. Amper says he doubts public trails will cut down on drivers practicing their sports illegally throughout Long Island.

We say it will prove to be money well spent.

Both the ATV riders and our environment need the support of our politicians and residents for the open space purchases of properties on which to build legal tracks.

As of now, police agencies don't have the resources to effectively curb illegal ATV use. ATV operators are running rampant, destroying woods and spreading invasive species, introducing pollutants into water and all that other stuff Mr. Amper speaks of. And they'll keep on doing it, without a plan in place.

Public locations, while not eradicating illegal use altogether, should diminish the number of illegal riders, so that enforcing the law could be more manageable for our police. And as Mr. Losquadro told the editorial board, the more public facilities that are established, the more our local governments should increase fines and punishment for any violators.

"Thirty-plus years of enforcement," Mr. Losquadro said, "and we've had the highest ridership we've ever had on Long Island."

The time to act is now.

Losquadro Opens Southold Campaign Headquarters

The Southold campaign headquarters is now open. Conveniently located on Main Rd. at Love Lane in Mattituck, the space will serve as a rally point and distribution center for much of Southold town's activities in the coming weeks.

Race for NYS First AD: Losquadro Files Thousand of Signatures to Gain Third Ballot Line – The School Tax Relief Party.

Losquadro Gains Third Ballot Line

Daniel P. Losquadro (R-Shoreham) filed thousands of signatures Tuesday to create a new ballot line – The School Tax Relief Party -- as part of his run for the New York State Assembly’s First District that will give the current Suffolk County Legislator and Minority Conference leader a third line in addition to the Republican and Conservative party lines on election day.

“The hardworking taxpayers of the First Assembly District are fed-up with Albany’s out-of-control spending and failure to reign in taxes. Enough is enough,” Losquadro said.

 “This grassroots petition effort shows the deep and broad support for my campaign, and I am grateful to voters of the First Assembly District for their early and strong support,” Losquadro added.

Losquadro said he was extremely pleased by the outpouring of support by the thousands who signed the petitions and pledged to fight for restoration of the STAR tax rebate that was cut by the Democrat controlled legislature and to fight for lower school taxes.

Statement RE: Nursing Home Acquisition Through a Public Benefit Corp.

Newsday Editorial

As a County we are facing unprecedented budget shortfalls and fiscal challenges.

The proposal to acquire the John J. Foley Nursing Home through the creation of a public benefit corporation is wrong for Suffolk County Government and, most importantly, wrong for Suffolk County taxpayers and all who want and deserve smaller, fiscally responsible government.

Public benefit corporations and public authorities operate in the shadows outside of customary public oversight and control and operate like quasi-private corporations with boards of directors appointed by elected officials and are exempt from many state and local regulations.

One only has to look to another public benefit corporation and its operation – the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and its never-ending trail of fiscal mismanagement that has added to the tax burden borne by all New Yorkers – to underscore how ill conceived this plan is.

Suffolk County cannot afford to be in the health care business. The long-term financial well being of our county and most importantly the well being of the home’s patients demands we act now and turn the home into a private, non-taxpayer supported, self sustaining facility. The proposed sale of the facility is best for Suffolk County, the nursing home's residents and taxpayers.

Losquadro: State Pension Fund Borrowing a 'Debt Bomb,' Calls on State Officials to Enact Real Reform.

Calling the New York State Pension system broken and in immediate need of reform and repair, New York State First Assembly District candidate Daniel P. Losquadro (R,C – Shoreham) joined New York State Comptroller candidate Harry Wilson at a news conference today to denounce the just adopted plan to borrow from the state pension fund to make constitutionally required payments to the same fund — with interest.

Standing in front of the New York State Office Building in Hauppauge, Losquadro – who is the Suffolk County Legislature’s Minority Leader– explained that pension costs for the state and municipalities are soaring as a result of enhanced retirement benefits for public employees and the decline in the stock market over the past two years. 

The pair said that New York State homeowners living outside of New York City can expect their property taxes to rise an extra $1,300 on average over the next six years because of the pension borrowing scheme enacted Tuesday night with the passage of the state budget.

Losquadro said an even larger problem lurks in the future.

“Pension costs are soaring,” Losquadro said, “and by 2015 local governments could be doling out a cost that is equal to 30 percent of their public payrolls for the pensions of their retirees and to keep the fund whole. And these are not my numbers,” he said, “these are projections by the Comptroller’s Office and Gov. David Paterson’s budget office.”

“Unchecked,” Losquadro continued, “growing pension costs are a debt bomb that will threaten the economic vitality of municipalities and local governments for generations to come and burden a future generation of already overburdened tax payers.”

Losquadro explained that he has discussed reforms with state leaders and supports changes to the New York State Employees Pension System, including shifting to a 401(k) type plan.

Also at the press conference were State Senator John Flanagan, Assemblymen Phil Boyle, Jim Conte, Mike Fitzpatrick and Dean Murray and Suffolk County Legislator Tom Cilmi.

Rocky Point Concert Series

From Times Beacon record Newspapers

Despite the day's harsh weather, the Downtown Rocky Point Free Summer Concert Series played as planned July 13, much to the pleasure of the hundreds of people, young and old, who crowded into the parking lot of St. Anthony of Padua Church. 

It was the second installment of the season, which has scheduled five acts total. Risky Business, an oldies band, regaled the crowd with tunes from the '50s, '60s and '70s on Tuesday night, even as the sky threatened rain.

"It's a great night, especially for a Tuesday in the summer," county Legislator Dan Losquadro (R-Shoreham) said. "It's something to look forward to."

Kids danced in front of the stage as the group sang requests from audience members. The singers came down from the stage and walked among the crowd at some parts, singing directly to some audience members who sang back with a look that seemed to recall the first time they heard that song.

The threatening clouds, playing nice as part of a "weather window" that cleared the way for the show, deterred no one there from staying and singing along.

Donald D'Aquila of Rocky Point took the risk of getting wet because he enjoys outdoor music and, he said, is "old enough to listen to some of these songs."

"A little rain ain't gonna kill me," said D'Aquila, who often attends shows in other towns. "There's not many things like this in Rocky Point, so you have to take advantage." 

The concert series, in its third year, was put together by Losquadro as both an opportunity to bring the community together and as part of his plan to revitalize downtown Rocky Point.

"The first step for businesses is getting customers in the door," Losquadro said. "People come early and go to the nearby businesses."

For Sweets of the Spoon, an ice cream shop directly across the street from the church, business was booming before and during the show as kids of all ages grabbed cones. "As a small business owner in downtown Rocky Point, I am very grateful for the exposure and opportunity these events provide," the shop's owner, Lisa Coleman, said.

Funding for the concert comes as part of the discretionary spending of the Suffolk County Legislature. Losquadro said the shows are worth every penny. "This is a great investment in economic development," he said, adding that on a good night the concerts can attract as many as 4,000 people.

At the show, there was a 50-50 raffle to benefit St. Anthony's. The winner, Losquadro said, took back only the money he spent on tickets and donated the rest to the church. Money raised totaled $330.

The next concert is Tuesday, July 27, and features Rick Larrimore, a Rod Stewart cover performer who, Losquadro said, dresses in costume for his shows.

Downtown concert series living up to expectations. Free shows continue to draw thousands to businesses.

From the North Shore Sun, 7/23/10 - By Peggy Spellman Hoey, Staff Writer

The Rocky Point summer concert series, in its second year, is drawing residents downtown and into area businesses. On a recent Tuesday, Ralph from the group 'Risky Business' crooned oldies tunes to a crowd of over 200 people outside St. Anthony's R.C. Church on Route 25A.

Even with rain in the forecast, several hundred die-hard music fans could be seen dancing the night away at a recent summer series concert night.

Long before the oldies group Risky Business played a host of doo-wop classics, concertgoers flocked to the downtown, filling up nearby restaurants and shops. The scene is exactly what concert organizers envisioned when they began the shows in 2008. And it's something local business owners are extremely excited about. "I wish they would have it every Tuesday," said Helen Fields, who keeps her Broadway boutique, Mrs. Fields Fashions, open late on concert nights. "It's like St. Patrick's Day, but every two weeks."

The concert series was the brainchild of Suffolk Legislator Daniel Losquadro (R-Shoreham), who tapped into county grant money in order to fund all the festivities in the St. Anthony's parking lot on Main Street as part of the downtown revitalization effort. But even he says the concert series has exceeded his expectations. Just last year it drew about 20,000 people to the downtown area, he said.

Mr. Losquadro said many of the merchants are applauding the concert series because it is helping draw new people to their businesses. To see people coming out on a night where it rained earlier in the day speaks to the success of the concert series, he said.

"I think that just goes to show people look forward to it," Mr. Losquadro said. "People come, they drop their chairs off. They go eat dinner. They are going out to the ice cream shop. They are going out for drinks after. It really has exceeded my expectations."

And even though he said there's no line out the door, Caruso's Pizzeria employee Giovanni Trezza said the concerts bring to life an otherwise dead downtown. "It's nice to have the concerts," he said.

Concert attendee Linda Green agreed. Ms. Green was one of several hundred people who ignored the forecast last Tuesday and treated herself to the concert as well as a strawberry shake from Sweets of the Spoon.

Ms. Green noted that many others are also doing the same and are crowding the downtown on concert nights.

"I think there were about 1,000 people here the last time," Ms. Green said.

Sweets of the Spoon owner Lisa Coleman loves what the concerts have meant for her business.