A step toward repeal of home energy tax

A repeal of Nassau County’s home energy tax was a promise made by most Republicans campaigning for what became a successful Election Day for the GOP, as it won control of the county’s legislative and executive branches.

But three weeks before Republicans officially take power, members of the Legislature's outgoing Democratic majority proposed their own repeal of the tax.

“I guess they’re helping in a way, but I don't think it's honest politics or honest government,” said Legislator Francis X. Becker (R-Lynbrook), “since they unanimously voted for the energy tax [before].”

Becker said that the tax was wrong to begin with in whay may be the worst econo mic climate in the history of the U.S. “To put this burden on the taxpayers was wrong and thick-headed.”

On Monday, the Finance and Rules committees passed a bill to scrap the tax. The measure requiresapproval by the full Legislature, which will rule on it at its next session on Dec. 21.

The 2.5 percent home energy tax was part of a multi-pronged approach by County Executive Tom Suozzi to help close a major budget gap in Nassau County.

County Executive-Elect Ed Mangano, a Republican from Bethpage who campaigned against the energy tax, told reporters on Monday afternoon, hours before the committee vote, that a repeal was a promise that would be kept.

“We are reviewing their bill,” Mangano said of the Democrats’ proposal. “It was absolutely a cornerstone of our campaign and our platform. Clearly the people in Nassau County cannot afford [the tax].”

When asked how he would fill the gap that repealing the tax would create, Mangano said that one cost-cutting initiative he is taking during the transition from Suozzi’s administration to his is to reduce the budget and staff of the executive’s office. “We promised a repeal,” he said. “Our repeal is promised in a thoughtful, responsible way, as long as this legislation allows us the time to present to the public our plan to fill the budget gap.”

During Monday night's legislative committee sessions, the finance committee, chaired by Wayne Wink, passed the repeal unanimously. In the Rules Committee, however, the measure passed 5-3, with three Republicans and two Democrats in favor and three Democrats opposed.

Mangano, occupied with the transition, did not attend the committee session.

The three Democrats who voted against the repeal bill were Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove), Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead). Abrahams told the Herald on Tuesday that his position was to support a repeal if projected sales tax revenue increased in 2010. That will not be the case, he said, and if the tax is repealed without that revenue stream, it could lead to a $20 million hole in the budget.

Mary Malloy contributed to this story. Comments about it ? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.