Nassau County’s proposed capital spending plan didn’t muster enough votes Monday with Democrats abstaining in protest and Republican County Executive Bruce Blakeman accusing them of a “quid pro quo.”
The county Legislature’s seven Democratic lawmakers all abstained from the contentious vote — Republicans unanimously supported the nearly $430 million plan — after failing to reach an agreement with Blakeman requiring him to respond to project requests and financial releases in all legislative districts “in a timely manner.”
The spending plan needed the backing of one Democrat to pass.
Blakeman and Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton came face-to-face in a heated confrontation prior to the vote after Democrats presented him with their proposal — a deal Democrats say the county executive offered up himself.
“What you’re asking for is a quid pro quo,” Blakeman shouted, while rejecting the deal and accusing Democrats of playing politics in an election year.
Democratic lawmakers argued Blakeman, who is up for reelection, has “withheld” already approved funds from districts they represent.
“The score is 31-0 … it would be malpractice if we agreed to this capital plan without any assurances that we’re going to get funding for our projects in our districts,” said Legislator Seth Koslow, a Democrat looking to unseat Blakeman in November.
They claim Republican-led districts have had 31 funding proposals approved by the Republican-majority over the last three years — while Democratic-controlled ones have received zero support.
“It shouldn’t have to come to this,” Koslow added.
Blakeman slammed Democrats for playing “a political game” and warned that they were holding up about $4 million in funding for their own communities — including public safety initiatives, infrastructure projects and new equipment for first responders.
He sent an email out Monday evening accusing them of defunding police and firefighters.
However, Democrats say it’s not that they don’t support the County’s capital spending plan or what’s inside — but rather they don’t trust their districts will receive its share unless Blakeman signs the legally binding agreement.
Democrats claim more than $1 million in new equipment for first responders is being held up, among other already projects.
The county executive dismissed those mostly as “pet projects” that should be funded through the county’s general fund — not its capital budget — and said he’s open to negotiating after the capital plan is approved.
The fate of the spending plan remains up in the air as the county Legislature works to schedule another vote in April.
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