Suffolk County Legislature

Suffolk County lawmakers heard testimony from about 30 speakers who oppose a proposed bill that would cap executive salaries for nonprofit organizations at $250,000 — which is on par with the salary of the governor of New York.

The budget increases spending by about 5%, and was the final proposal from outgoing Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone.

The GOP flipped the Suffolk County executive seat and strengthened its supermajority in the county Legislature.

Democratic candidates for the Suffolk County Legislature have seized on environmental justice issues due to the controversy surrounding Brookhaven Landfill’s vendor Covanta. Outside of the Yaphank facility, Minority Leader Jason Richberg called for Ed Romaine, county executive candidate and Brookhaven Town Supervisor, to be held accountable.

The GOP-dominated Suffolk County Legislature stalled a ballot referendum for this November, which would have asked voters to approve a small sales tax hike to fund advanced septic systems and sewer upgrades.

The number of voices asking Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta to resign from the Public Safety Committee is growing.

The Suffolk County Legislature has again voted to repeal its public campaign finance program. Two-thirds of lawmakers overturned a veto by County Executive Steve Bellone last week.

Outside of New York City, Suffolk County was the largest county in the state to establish a public campaign finance program. It didn’t survive a year in operation — without supporting a single campaign — before Republicans took away its funding.

The Suffolk County Legislature this week heard public comments on a GOP-backed bill to repeal a law that would allow political candidates to use public money for their campaigns.

On appeal, Democrats are allowed to vote on the new county legislative district maps. However, a final decision on the matter will be argued in court next year.