Latest news with #Koslow
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Nassau County bill would slash ‘shakedown' fees for business licenses
Small businesses in Nassau County could catch a break from the avalanche of local fees tied to dozens of required permits and licenses. Democratic county legislator Seth Koslow, who is running against County Executive Bruce Blakeman for his seat in November, proposed legislation last week to cut up to 85 percent of local licensing fees for businesses. 'If you want to groom dogs, hang a sign, or fix locks in Nassau, you're looking at hundreds of dollars in yearly fees — it reads less like a licensing schedule and more like a shakedown list,' Koslow told The Post. 'Small businesses are getting squeezed.' The proposed legislation would slash fees for more than 30 types of business licenses — including those involving dry cleaners, locksmiths, dog groomers, health clubs and home-service providers — which currently cost Nassau business owners anywhere from $650 to $1,300 a year. That's more than triple what businesses in neighboring Suffolk County pay for the same licenses, which typically range from just $100 to $200 annually — making Nassau's fees 225% to 550% higher depending on the license. Koslow told The Post that Suffolk's model was essentially the blueprint for his bill. 'Why should a young entrepreneur in Nassau pay triple what someone pays across the county line,' Koslow said. 'That's not competition, that's punishment. These fees hit hardest for women, minority, and veteran-owned startups. This bill is how we level the playing field.' David Adeoya, a Nassau County-based financial adviser who works with small businesses in the area, told The Post that the proposed legislation could provide much-needed breathing room for entrepreneurs struggling to stay afloat in a tough economy while making Nassau a more competitive place to do business. 'Many small businesses are facing rising costs and higher import prices, so lowering these fees can offer meaningful relief,' Adeoya said. 'Lower licensing fees mean business owners have more room in their budgets for necessities like inventory, staffing and equipment while also having the potential flexibility to add more tax efficient assets — things that directly support their businesses growth and stability.' Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he would be on board with the legislation. But he also noted licensing fees bring in so much money for Nassau that lowering them by nearly 80% could significantly impact the county budget. 'I am happy to cut the fees, provided Democrats come up with matching cuts to spending,' Blakeman told The Post.
New York Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
New Nassau County bill would slash ‘shakedown' fees for business licenses
Small businesses in Nassau County could catch a break from the avalanche of local fees tied to dozens of required permits and licenses. Democratic county legislator Seth Koslow, who is running against County Executive Bruce Blakeman for his seat in November, proposed legislation last week to cut up to 85 percent of local licensing fees for businesses. 'If you want to groom dogs, hang a sign, or fix locks in Nassau, you're looking at hundreds of dollars in yearly fees — it reads less like a licensing schedule and more like a shakedown list,' Koslow told The Post. 4 Small businesses in Nassau County could catch a break from the local fees tied to dozens of required permits and licenses. Google Maps 'Small businesses are getting squeezed.' The proposed legislation would slash fees for more than 30 types of business licenses — including those involving dry cleaners, locksmiths, dog groomers, health clubs and home-service providers — which currently cost Nassau business owners anywhere from $650 to $1,300 a year. That's more than triple what businesses in neighboring Suffolk County pay for the same licenses, which typically range from just $100 to $200 annually — making Nassau's fees 225% to 550% higher depending on the license. Koslow told The Post that Suffolk's model was essentially the blueprint for his bill. 'Why should a young entrepreneur in Nassau pay triple what someone pays across the county line,' Koslow said. 'That's not competition, that's punishment. These fees hit hardest for women, minority, and veteran-owned startups. This bill is how we level the playing field.' 4 Seth Koslow proposed legislation last week to cut up to 85 percent of local licensing fees for businesses. Seth Koslow for County Executive David Adeoya, a Nassau County-based financial adviser who works with small businesses in the area, told The Post that the proposed legislation could provide much-needed breathing room for entrepreneurs struggling to stay afloat in a tough economy while making Nassau a more competitive place to do business. 'Many small businesses are facing rising costs and higher import prices, so lowering these fees can offer meaningful relief,' Adeoya said. 4 Koslow is running against Executive Bruce Blakeman for his seat in November. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post 4 The proposed legislation would slash fees for more than 30 types of business licenses which currently cost Nassau business owners anywhere from $650 to $1,300 a year. Google Maps 'Lower licensing fees mean business owners have more room in their budgets for necessities like inventory, staffing and equipment while also having the potential flexibility to add more tax efficient assets — things that directly support their businesses growth and stability.' Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he would be on board with the legislation. But he also noted licensing fees bring in so much money for Nassau that lowering them by nearly 80% could significantly impact the county budget. 'I am happy to cut the fees, provided Democrats come up with matching cuts to spending,' Blakeman told The Post.
Politico
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
The Trump ally seeking swing voters
Presented by Solving Hunger TOO MAGA FOR LI?: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has President Donald Trump on his side — and a unique precedent working against him — as he seeks reelection this year on Long Island. Blakeman is 'MAGA all the way,' Trump lauded on Truth Social last week as he endorsed the first-term Republican. But an eight-election voting pattern foreshadows that Blakeman could be out because his fellow Republican is in the White House. Since 1992, Nassau's swing voters have ushered in county executives who represent the party opposite the president, as detailed by Newsday today and as Blakeman's rival Seth Koslow reminded Playbook. This fall's race between Blakeman and Koslow, a Democratic Nassau County legislator, is shaping up to be competitive in the suburban stretch where Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by about 800,000 and where Trump won last year by 30,000 votes. 'He strapped himself to him like an anchor, and he's going to go down with the ship,' said Koslow, who's been hammering Blakeman for his allegiance to the president. Blakeman pushed back, telling Playbook, 'Nassau County voters are very smart and sophisticated, and they understand having a county executive that has a good relationship with the president of the United States is a good thing for their county.' The county executive has waved away questions about whether he'll run for governor — a post that Reps. Elise Stefanik and Mike Lawler are also eyeing — but he has yet to rule it out. His more immediate task is to win a second term. Blakeman has raised his profile among national Republicans by banning face masks, barring transgender athletes from competing in women's sports and planning to arm civilians to help law enforcement. He has also deputized local police to assist federal immigration agents. He was at the White House last month for Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement on sweeping global tariffs. But Blakeman cited decidedly nonpartisan priorities to make his case for a second term: 'cutting taxes my first year by $150 million, not raising taxes at all during my tenure as county executive, being awarded the safest county in America.' Koslow is among the Nassau County Democratic legislators who sued Blakeman over his armed citizen deputy initiative. He's also hit the incumbent for his pageantry, inviting lawsuits that cost taxpayers money to defend him and increasing fees for county services. As of January, their most recently available campaign finance disclosures, Blakeman had an overwhelming advantage with $1.7 million on hand to Koslow's $102,000. A Koslow campaign spokesperson noted he launched his bid in January and said the support and checks have been pouring in since. — Emily Ngo From the Capitol LIGHTS, CAMERA, BUDGET: Gov. Kathy Hochul's $254 billion budget expanded New York's film tax credit program days after Trump announced he's weighing tariffs for foreign movies. The state will hike the total subsidies from $700 million to $800 million in annual tax credits and extend the life of the incentive program by two years, from 2034 to 2036. Hochul also won approval of a $100 million tax credit pool for independent movie productions. The governor proposed the changes at the start of the year — months before Trump mused about placing tariffs on overseas movies. Hochul raised concerns the president's film tariff would hurt New York's entertainment sector with retaliatory actions. 'I'm fighting hard for this industry in New York state, it's an economic driver, it's part of our identity,' she told CNN last week. 'The talent wants to be in New York. I'm in competition with other states and indeed other countries.' Subsidizing Hollywood productions has come under withering critique by watchdog groups, who have questioned taxpayers' return on investment. 'This is a truly unconscionable waste of public funds,' said Reinvent Albany Executive Director John Kaehny. 'Pay them to make a movie and the public gets what?' — Nick Reisman HUDSON YARDS CASINO DOUBTED BY OWN BIDDER: The CEO of Wynn Resorts — the gaming conglomerate partnering with Related Companies for a proposed Hudson Yards casino — is already hedging about its own bid. 'We continue to be in the running in New York, but we absolutely will not get over our skis to win the license there,' Craig Billings the CEO of Wynn Resorts said in an earnings call last week. He also lamented the challenges of winning and building a New York casino during the call. 'It's also a complicated market with a lot of considerations. … And we also need to consider the potential impact of tariffs on build costs,' he said. 'So and then pile on top of that the fact that the local politics are complicated.' The Hudson Yards casino proposal suffered a symbolic setback in January when its local community board voted to reject necessary land use changes along with the Manhattan borough president, who also rejected the plan in a separate move. The zoning proposal attached to the casino is now up for review by the City Council, which has to make a decision by early June. — Jason Beeferman FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL CUOMO LOSES OUT: New York City campaign finance regulators withheld more than $600,000 in public funds from Andrew Cuomo's mayoral campaign today, saying they suspect him of illegally coordinating with a super PAC supporting his bid. The super PAC, Fix the City, spent $622,056 on a TV ad that the board 'has reason to believe' was not created independently of the Cuomo campaign, based on a preliminary investigation. That investigation is ongoing, the board said in a statement released at its meeting. At issue was the webpage on Cuomo's campaign site laying out specific messaging and strategy that could be used by a super PAC, POLITICO first reported. The board warned candidates last week that it passed new, stricter rules against the practice last year. Cuomo's campaign, and the super PAC, both denied wrongdoing. The board approved payment of more than $1.5 million to Cuomo on Monday after his campaign fixed the paperwork issues that led to him getting denied funds last month. But it has warned that campaigns found to be coordinating with super PACs could be ineligible for public funds and made to repay money already received. — Jeff Coltin LIU FOR LEVINE: State Sen. John Liu is endorsing Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine over City Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan in the race for city comptroller, Playbook has learned. 'I know firsthand what it takes to be an effective Comptroller — and Mark Levine has the experience, integrity, and vision New Yorkers deserve in this role,' Liu said in a statement. 'Mark leads with innovation, and he's never shied away from tough fights.' Liu is the second former city comptroller to back Levine; Liz Holtzman, the city's fiscal watchdog in the early 1990s, endorsed Levine in April. 'I'm incredibly honored to have the endorsement of John Liu: a trailblazer, a champion for working families, and a true public servant,' Levine said. 'His leadership as Comptroller and as a Senator has raised the bar for what bold, effective city leadership should look like.' — Jason Beeferman CUOMO AND E-BIKES: DoorDash's $1 million contribution to a pro-Cuomo super PAC came two months after the mayoral candidate proposed cracking down on e-bikes and mopeds — while also holding delivery apps responsible for reckless drivers. Delivery companies rely on those types of transportation. The company previously reported spending $500,000 to lobby on a measure allowing delivery platforms to charge higher fees. DoorDash this year signaled it would contribute to 'pro-local economy' candidates in the city. A company rep told POLITICO on Sunday that the donation — the largest so far in the mayoral race — is for supporting leaders like Cuomo 'who prioritize practical, pro-local economy solutions that encourage growth and innovation.' The ex-governor's public safety platform released in March includes provisions meant to crack down on reckless e-bike usage through registering and licensing the conveyances by the NYC Department of Transportation. His campaign said e-bike safety problems stem from 'structural problems in the food delivery business' that incentivize speed and should be held financially liable for crashes. For food delivery firms like DoorDash, shaping such a policy and any legislation could be a priority if Cuomo becomes mayor. — Nick Reisman IN OTHER NEWS — NOT IN THEIR BACKYARD: Cuomo is pledging if elected mayor to stop development of a homeless shelter in southern Brooklyn that's drawn intense pushback from local residents, including City Council Member Susan Zhuang. (Daily News) — YOU'RE REHIRED: Some of the correction officers fired during the three-week wildcat strike could be rehired, despite Hochul's statements saying that would not happen. (NNY 360) — AIRB-N-BANNED: The city filed a lawsuit today against a Greenwich Village Airbnb, putting new restrictions on short-term rentals to the test. (The New York Times). Missed this morning's New York Playbook? We forgive you. Read it here.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Gabby Petito's grandma reveals birthday wish as Long Island unveils new domestic abuse push: ‘Would love that'
Gabby Petito's grandmother revealed a wish on what would have been the tragic Long Island native's 26th birthday Wednesday — saying she would like a planned domestic violence center named in her honor. 'That's a great idea, I would love that,' Grandma Mary Wickman told The Post after a news conference in Levittown, where Nassau County officials outlined a new push to expand services for victims of domestic abuse. 'There are more animal shelters in Long Island than there are shelters for women and abuse victims.' Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said the county is considering a permanent county-run center after the largest domestic violence shelter, the Safe Center, closed March 14 in a flap with the nonprofit who runs it. The county has moved operations to Nassau University Medical Center and Blakeman said there are talks with two other nonprofits to take over services at another location. 'We want to make sure our county, which has been named the safest county in America, is also safe for those who are potentially victims of domestic violence,' Blakeman said outside of Miller's Ale House, where a fundraiser was planned Thursday where 20% of proceeds would benefit the Gabby Petito Foundation. Blakeman and the other Nassau officials also announced they are now working on a plan that will ensure the county has 'the best program in the United States to combat domestic violence' — including a long term plan that expands county-wide shelters, centers, hotlines, child-care options and counseling. There is no timetable on when this plan will be released or implemented. Petito was killed by her abusive fiancé, Brian Laundrie, in in a 2021 case that gribbed the nation and brought renewed attention about domestic violence and identifying incidents of abuse before they turn deadly. Long Island, according to the state health department, has some of the lowest rates of domestic violence in the state. However, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly explained that domestic violence is also one of the most underreported crimes in the county, likely contributing to the unbelievably low number of cases. 'We have to change this, we have to change it through awareness, through education, through new laws,' she said. Some on the other side of the aisle, however, are already worried about broken promises and are unhappy about the lack of details in the county's announcement. County Legislator Koslow, a Democrat who is running against Blakeman in November, accused the county executive of simply attempting to shift focus with his incomplete plan 'while women continue to suffer.' 'It feels as though these survivors are being victimized twice — first by their abusers, and now by their own county executive,' Koslow told The Post. 'Blakeman owes an apology to the women and families of Nassau County, along with an immediate, transparent, and actionable plan to ensure sustainable, quality support services moving forward.' In response, Blakeman called Koslow's statement on Gabby Petito's birthday 'shameful.' 'No surprise coming from a criminal defense attorney who once specialized in defending sexual predators. Disgraceful,' Blakeman said to The Post.
