Congress is responsible for passing annual appropriations to ensure that essential federal government programs remain funded, our national defense remains strong, and our country is able to continue to grow and thrive. This has often come in the form of lengthy pieces of legislation, with top-line spending numbers decided on by the leadership of the majority party, leading to massive spending bills that increased the national deficit. When Republicans won the majority in the House, we made a commitment to do things differently. more

Too many elected officials believe in open-border, pro-migrant policies. more

Hurricane Sandy was our worst nightmare realized. This monster storm packed as much energy as two World War II era atomic bombs, causing massive destruction, the likes of which had not been seen since the Long Island Express of 1938, a now legendary Category III hurricane. Trapped on an island jutting into the Atlantic Ocean, we were front and center when Sandy attacked with a vengeance. Thousands of homes were inundated with seawater and sewage. Hundreds were left uninhabitable. Two and a half years later, we continue to rebuild our tattered shoreline. In this series we will look in the coming months at the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery’s ongoing effort to reconstruct worst-case homes, businesses and communities that Sandy ravaged on Oct. 29, 2012 — and the myriad issues that residents and officials face as they piece together our shredded infrastructure. At the same time, we will look at state and local officials’ efforts to reinforce Long Island in the hope that we might be able to withstand nature’s fury better when the next monster storm hits. —Scott Brinton, senior editor more

Three years have passed since Hurricane Sandy devastated Long Island’s South Shore, and while most Seaford and Wantagh residents have stitched their lives back together, the journey was not been easy. more

New York state’s recent mandate to electrify all school buses is a fantasyland, progressive step toward a not-so-green future. Beneath the surface, there are glaring issues that threaten the feasibility of this ambitious initiative. While the intentions seem commendable, the lack of infrastructure, exorbitant costs, and practical challenges in certain regions cast a shadow over the state’s commitment to a cleaner environment. more

I have frequently spoken and written about courtesy being contagious, and not being that person who feels entitled to break the rules — or the law — for their own convenience. I’m sure we have all noticed a disturbing trend. People do what they want, when they want, regardless of how it affects others. more

I am committed to being responsive to the concerns of every constituent more

Since the pandemic and the collapse of the social life we once enjoyed, I dress down. more

On Jan. 30, members of the staff at Wantagh Middle School volunteered to facilitate the Beautiful Me scholarship program to enhance the self-esteem and positive self-awareness in middle school girls. … more

We've lost hundreds of thousands of residents, and with them crucial tax revenue. more