Thursday, October 1, 2026
Celebrating its centennial year, the Long Island Association hosted its annual State of the Region breakfast with Sen. Chuck Schumer speaking, a panel discussion moderated by LIA President Matt Cohen that included State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Nassau County Executive Bruce and Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine. Gov. Kathy Hochul was the final speaker.
Through the panel discussion at the Jan. 9 event highlighted several issues that most likely will the focal points of the gubernatorial race between Blakeman, the presumptive GOP candidate and Hochul, a Democrat.
“We have been very successful in Nassau County, we have the safest county in America, Niche magazine said we’re the most desirable place to live,” Blakeman said during the panel discussion.
Hochul spoke for roughly 30 minutes and used her time as part campaign stop and part preview of her State of the State address that will be delivered on Jan. 13. Unveiling a proposed five-year, $3.75 billion for water infrastructure.
“The environment of Long Island, it is everything, it means more here than most places because its, an island,” Hochul said, noting the $3 million she approved for upgrading septic systems.
She called the nearly $4 billion commitment to build water infrastructure, including building sewers, “historic.”
Even before Hochul spoke, housing, Romaine said, must also be addressed — but through smarter planning and help from the state for vital infrastructure projects.
“Affordable housing is not an issue by itself,” he said. “You have to have the infrastructure — the sewers, the roads — to support it.”
Cohen noted the substantial growth the two-county region has undergone in the 100 years since the LIA was found.
“Since 1926, the population on Long Island has increased 900 percent, and we’ve really gone from a bedroom community of New York City to our own bustling, diverse, economic powerhouse,” he said in his opening remarks. “We’re home to world renowned tourist destinations, the highest ranked education and health care institutions, and we’re still the embodiment of the American dream and have an unparalleled quality of life.
DiNapoli noted that while the state has a relatively strong economy, uncertainty remains as federal decisions begin to impact funding for such items as healthcare, education, energy and nutrition programs The states large reserve funds will continue to support the economic region through these challenges.
“My role as comptroller is to remind everybody, at the end of the day, whatever the policy decisions are,” he said, “we have to look at the implications of our spending choice. Not just in the short run, for the coming years budget, but what will it mean a year, two, or three down the road.”
And while Cohen touched on Long Island’s expansion, DiNapoli noted that the state has seen a decrease in its young adult population, however there has been a jump residents’ ages 18 to 34.
A December report from DiNapoli’s office on Gen Z and millennial New Yorkers struggling with economic and affordability challenges noted the overall decline is a result of rising housing costs and a job market that lacks entry-level positions.
Schumer noted he just completed his 27th year visiting all of New York’s 62 counties.
“The mantra that guides my work and all of my staff is this: when Long Island does well all of New York does well.”
Madison Gusler, Carolyn James and Jordan Vallone contributed to this story.
