Thursday, October 1, 2026
As we enjoy the holiday season with our families, it feels like an especially appropriate moment to thank the residents of Legislative District 11 for re-electing me on Nov. 4 and giving me the honor of continuing to serve them in the Legislature.
Approaching a new year always gives me a spark of hope — and that fuels my determination to see Nassau County operate in a more equitable and responsible way. Contemplating our resolutions for 2026 is an exercise that would benefit county leaders, and the constituencies they serve.
These are but a few of the issues county government should prioritize:
Finally get the opioid funds to the front lines of the crisis. The county has been far too slow in its efforts to get nearly $100 million in opioid settlements to agencies that offer life-saving prevention, treatment and recovery resources. As of just days ago, a review of Nassau’s financial system showed that less than 7 percent of that money has made it out of county bank accounts and into the hands of those agencies.
With hopes of getting this vital program on a better path, the Legislature applied $1 million in opioid funds to bringing in an outside agency to cut through the red tape. Those funds have languished for years while lives continue to hang in the balance — and that must change.
Get the politics out of community grants. For the past two years, the Democratic minority has fought tooth and nail to secure equitable resources for the communities we serve. We have had to take this approach because County Executive Bruce Blakeman continues to act as if only the districts served by members of his party should be able to access those funds.
By sticking together as a caucus, we delivered $1.3 million to equip our first responders and firefighters, and advanced long-delayed grants from the Hotel-Motel Occupancy Tax Fund to support cultural agencies, such as the Sea Cliff Arts Council, that boost regional tourism.
Despite Blakeman’s hyper-partisanship and stubbornness, we are delivering for our constituents, but there is much more work to be done in 2026. To date, Republicans had received approval for 58 Community Revitalization Program grants for projects at schools, libraries, parks and more. Democrats? Just two.
In the new year, let’s judge these projects by how they will enrich children’s lives and protect our first responders, not whether the applicant is a Democrat or a Republican.
Invest equally in Nassau’s infrastructure. The Democratic minority secured a 2025 capital plan that invests in our law enforcement and medics, strengthens infrastructure and delivers tens of millions of dollars in resources for critical improvements in our districts. Looking ahead to 2026, I will continue to prioritize these upgrades for District 11:
Glen Cove, Glen Head and Sea Cliff: We remain focused on advancing the Shore Road flood mitigation, traffic safety and beautification project.
Shore Road Seawall, Baxter Estates: I continue to work with many levels of government to secure the roadway, protect the beach from erosion, add ADA-compliant sidewalks, improve lighting and provide amenities such as benches.
Baxter Pond, Baxter Estates/Port Washington: We are cleaning the basins to improve water flow and are working to secure approvals for dredging.
Crescent Beach, Glen Cove: Our test results at the end of the summer were very promising, and we hope to share more good news in the spring.
Extend a helping hand during the holidays and all year long. One of the projects that were nearest to my heart in this legislative term was our successful effort to secure $43,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding that equipped Glen Cove’s Nosh food pantry, and $50,000 for Plant A Row for the Hungry in Port Washington to feed families throughout our region. With major federal funding for nutrition assistance programs a distinct possibility due to the Trump megabill, it’s more important than ever to support hunger-fighting organizations.
That’s where each of us comes in. Please consider supporting one of the many toy drives that will put a smile on a child’s face this season, and all throughout 2026, and give what you can to your local food pantry. Together we can give families the greatest gift of all this new year — a chance at a new start and better days to come.
I wish all of you a happy and healthy holiday season and a joyous New Year!
Delia DeRiggi-Whitton represents Nassau County’s 11th Legislative District and is the Legislature’s minority leader.
