Flotteron Elected to Another Term As Deputy Presiding Officer
The Suffolk County Legislature held its annual Organizational Meeting on January 2, at which time Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) and Deputy Presiding Officer Steven Flotteron (R-West Islip) were unanimously re-elected to their respective leadership roles.
County Executive Ed Romaine, who was twice a county legislator in his long governmental career, addressed his Suffolk colleagues, whom he called his “partners in government,” thanked them for passing over 1,000 bills in 2024 and noted he had vetoed precisely zero. Romaine, a Republican, promised cooperation with all eighteen legislators, regardless of political party affiliation.
McCaffrey returned the compliment. “Thank you to my colleagues for once again electing me for another year as your Presiding Officer. Thank you to County Executive Ed Romaine for your kind words today and for your friendship and leadership. I look forward to joining with my colleagues in working together to accomplish even more in the upcoming year,” he said. “In 2025, I look forward to finishing the work we started over the last several years.” McCaffrey was first elected Presiding Officer in 2022 after Republicans regained control of the Legislature for the first time since 2005.
McCaffrey said that “as always, public safety is a priority” and listed several measures from 2024 ranging from the hiring of more police officers, strengthening laws regarding illegal street races, and enacting prohibitions on uncertified lithium-ion batteries and chargers. He also praised the passage of the revised Water Quality Restoration Act, the repeal of the Red-Light Camera Program, and continuing efforts to improve the County’s fiscal standing, among other significant legislation.
At the meeting, the Legislature: adopted its Rules for the coming year; re-appointed William Duffy as Counsel to the Legislature; adopted its schedule of regular meeting for 2025; designated official depositories for the County; designated official newspapers; and designated official local newspapers. Further, a series of Introductory Resolutions were laid on the table for consideration and assigned by the Presiding Officer to appropriate committees.
For his part, Flotteron also thanked his colleagues, and concurred with McCaffrey that public safety, maintaining fiscal discipline, and enhancing water quality should be the priorities of the Legislature.