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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.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New York's Nassau County seeks to ban standing within 15 feet of cops under bill panned as unconstitutional
Lawmakers in Nassau County, New York, are pushing a measure to make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of police officers or other first responders during an emergency, although critics of the proposal argue that it is unconstitutional. People who enter the "buffer zone" for first responders during an emergency would face a misdemeanor charge and a $1,000 fine along with the possibility of up to a year behind bars, according to the bill introduced by the county Board of Legislators. The measure seeks to protect first responders from "threats, harassment, and physical interference," lawmakers say. "It is important that first responders are not obstructed during emergency situations and that our frontline heroes are allowed to engage in the lifesaving actions they are trained to perform without distractions," legislator John Ferretti, a Republican, told the New York Post. New York Proposal Would Ban Police From Making Traffic Stops For Minor Violations To Pursue 'Racial Equity' State law already subjects people who interfere with first responders to up to a year in jail, three years of probation or a $1,000 fine. Read On The Fox News App The new bill was introduced by Republicans but has garnered support from some Democrats, according to the newspaper. "Our cops and first responders shouldn't have to fight crowds while they're saving lives," Democrat legislator Seth Koslow, who is running for county executive, told the New York Post. "This bill gives them the authority to keep chaos out and do their jobs without interference. It's backed by both parties — because protecting those who protect us shouldn't be political." Despite the bipartisan support among lawmakers, critics say the bill goes too far and could be abused to curb people's constitutional rights. "Floating buffer zones offer yet another way for police to keep their activities hidden from public scrutiny," New York Civil Liberties Union senior policy counsel Justin Harrison told the New York Post. "Laws that make it harder to monitor the police don't make anybody safer — in reality, they violate the Constitution, run counter to government transparency principles, and foster distrust in law enforcement." Some other states have passed similar laws that were later struck down by the courts. Video Captures New York Grandmother, Children Narrowly Avoiding Manhole Explosion Louisiana passed a law last year prohibiting people from being within 25 feet of police after being told to back up. But last month, a federal judge blocked the measure, finding that it violated the 14th Amendment's due process regulations and could infringe on journalists' press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment that grants them the right to film officers. Similar laws in Arizona and Indiana have also been blocked by federal judges. "We expect that Nassau's law, if passed, will meet the same fate," Harrison article source: New York's Nassau County seeks to ban standing within 15 feet of cops under bill panned as unconstitutional
Fox News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
New York's Nassau County seeks to ban standing within 15 feet of cops under bill panned as unconstitutional
Lawmakers in Nassau County, New York, are pushing a measure to make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of police officers or other first responders during an emergency, although critics of the proposal argue that it is unconstitutional. People who enter the "buffer zone" for first responders during an emergency would face a misdemeanor charge and a $1,000 fine along with the possibility of up to a year behind bars, according to the bill introduced by the county Board of Legislators. The measure seeks to protect first responders from "threats, harassment, and physical interference," lawmakers say. "It is important that first responders are not obstructed during emergency situations and that our frontline heroes are allowed to engage in the lifesaving actions they are trained to perform without distractions," legislator John Ferretti, a Republican, told the New York Post. State law already subjects people who interfere with first responders to up to a year in jail, three years of probation or a $1,000 fine. The new bill was introduced by Republicans but has garnered support from some Democrats, according to the newspaper. "Our cops and first responders shouldn't have to fight crowds while they're saving lives," Democrat legislator Seth Koslow, who is running for county executive, told the New York Post. "This bill gives them the authority to keep chaos out and do their jobs without interference. It's backed by both parties — because protecting those who protect us shouldn't be political." Despite the bipartisan support among lawmakers, critics say the bill goes too far and could be abused to curb people's constitutional rights. "Floating buffer zones offer yet another way for police to keep their activities hidden from public scrutiny," New York Civil Liberties Union senior policy counsel Justin Harrison told the New York Post. "Laws that make it harder to monitor the police don't make anybody safer — in reality, they violate the Constitution, run counter to government transparency principles, and foster distrust in law enforcement." Some other states have passed similar laws that were later struck down by the courts. Louisiana passed a law last year prohibiting people from being within 25 feet of police after being told to back up. But last month, a federal judge blocked the measure, finding that it violated the 14th Amendment's due process regulations and could infringe on journalists' press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment that grants them the right to film officers. Similar laws in Arizona and Indiana have also been blocked by federal judges. "We expect that Nassau's law, if passed, will meet the same fate," Harrison said.
New York Post
22-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Nassau County wants to make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of cops — but critics say ‘buffer zone' is unconstitutional
Nassau County lawmakers want to make it illegal to stand within 15 feet of cops and other emergency workers — but critics say the 'buffer zone' would be unconstitutional. Civilians who enter the 'zone' for police, firefighters and other first responders during an emergency would be slapped with a misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine — with the possibility of up to a year behind bars, according to a new bill introduced by Republicans in the county Board of Legislators. The goal of the bill aims to protect emergency responders from 'threats, harassment, and physical interference' while on the job, according to lawmakers. Advertisement 3 Civilians who enter the 'zone' for police, firefighters and other first responders during an emergency would be slapped with a misdemeanor and a $1,000 fine. Gabriella Bass 'It is important that first responders are not obstructed during emergency situations and that our frontline heroes are allowed to engage in the lifesaving actions they are trained to perform without distractions,' Legislator John Ferretti said. The proposed law has bipartisan support from some Democrats, including Seth Koslow, who is running for county executive against Republican incumbent Bruce Blakeman. Advertisement 'Our cops and first responders shouldn't have to fight crowds while they're saving lives,' Koslow told The Post. 'This bill gives them the authority to keep chaos out and do their jobs without interference. It's backed by both parties — because protecting those who protect us shouldn't be political.' State law already punishes people who interfere with first responders with up to a year in jail, three years of probation, or a $1,000 fine. 3 John Ferretti holds up art work his children made to sen to the health care workers and first responders as he announced 'Letter to Our Heroes' March 30, 2020 Levittown, NY. Dennis A. Clark But the county's 15-foot buffer goes a step farther, blocking anyone from even walking near an emergency worker — a distinction that riled critics, who said it could easily be abused. Advertisement 'Floating buffer zones offer yet another way for police to keep their activities hidden from public scrutiny,' Justin Harrison, senior policy counsel at the NYCLU, told The Post. 'Laws that make it harder to monitor the police don't make anybody safer — in reality, they violate the Constitution, run counter to government transparency principles, and foster distrust in law enforcement.' Harrison referenced other states that have passed, and then blocked, similar laws throughout the country. 3 Seth Koslow stands with a coalition of Nassau County legislators and top civil rights attorneys on Feb. 5, 2025 in Mineola, New York. Newsday via Getty Images Louisiana passed a law last year banning people from getting within 25 feet of police after being told to back up — but a federal judge blocked it last month, ruling it violated the 14th Amendment's due process regulations and could infringe on a reporter's First Amendment right to film officers and gather news. Advertisement Similar laws in Arizona and Indiana have also been struck down by federal judges. 'We expect that Nassau's law, if passed, will meet the same fate,' Harrison said.
New York Post
21-04-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Suffolk County may have to pay back $91M in shady red-light camera fees — leading to massive budget deficit
Suffolk County may have to pay back as much as $91 million in shady fees collected from its controversial red-light camera program — a cost that could cause budget mayhem. The Long Island county is already facing a potential battle over its spending plan, with its Budget Review Office forecasting a massive $552 million deficit by 2028. Suffolk ended its red-light program on Dec. 1 but two courts ruled that a $30 administrative fee it tacked onto violations since the program launched in 2010 was illegal because it exceeded a $50 maximum fine. The county is appealing the decision. 'While the county cannot comment on the specifics of pending litigation, it is not possible to predict how the county would address this situation,' County Executive Ed Romaine said in a statement. County Executive Ed Romaine said that it is 'not possible to predict how the county would address this situation.' Newsday via Getty Images If Suffolk loses the appeal, the county may have to pay even more than just reimbursing drivers who paid the extra fees because state law requires 9% interest for each year the money goes unpaid, according to David Raimondo, an attorney representing Suffolk drivers in a class-action lawsuit. Earlier this month, Romaine warned constituents that the coming financial situation will require 'some extraordinary budgeting' and 'not everyone's going to be happy' — but the looming payout is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. County officials also have to fund a newly approved police union contract with boosted pay, hammer out several other pending labor deals, and contend with the uncertainty of future federal aid and an economy experts warn is on the decline. Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy Jr. did not respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, Nassau County may have to cough up even more than Suffolk, as it hit red-light runners with not only the standard $50 fine, but added a $45 'driver responsibility fee,' and a $55 'public safety fee' — bringing the total extra cost of a single ticket to $150. Seth Koslow, a Democrat, introduced a bill that would permanently eliminate administrative fees and establish a fund to reimburse ticketed drivers charged with these fees. Newsday via Getty Images The extra fees raked in $64 million in gross revenue for Nassau in 2022 alone, according to records obtained by Newsday. It is unclear the total amount the county may owe, but Democratic lawmakers in the Nassau Board of Legislators recently introduced a bill that would permanently eliminate administrative fees and establish a fund to reimburse ticketed drivers charged with these fees. 'For years, Nassau's red light cameras were more about revenue than safety — and drivers paid the price,' Seth Koslow, a Democrat who introduced the bill in December 2024, told The Post. 'It's time to stop the fleecing and start the refunding,' he said. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman did not respond to a request for comment.
