Proposed Sales Tax Hike for Sewers Makes November Ballot

By Hank Russell

The Suffolk County Legislature voted 15-2 on June 25 to put a referendum on the ballot in November that would allow county residents to vote on raising the sales tax by 0.125% to fund for new sewers and septic systems. Robert Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) and Leslie Kennedy (R-Hauppauge) voted against the bill. Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) was absent. 

Trotta accused the Legislature of “cowardice” for making the residents vote on this. “Why can’t the 18 of us vote on raising the taxes? … If we voted for raising the taxes, the people would never vote for us.”

Kennedy said the passage of this sales tax increase will have a negative impact on her constituents. “I have people [in my district] having difficulty paying for their groceries, I have people having difficulty paying for their medications and I have a lot of seniors.”

Steve Englebright (D-Port Jefferson) shared his concerns with Trotta and Kennedy, but added, “The opportunity is before us to make a difference. … a positive difference. “We are losing time in protecting our sole source of drinking water.”

Rebecca Sanin (D-Commack) said the one-eighth-percent tax is needed because “this is not just an environmental issue, but it really is a public health issue.” She added, “This is a small price to pay for our water quality, to our public health and to our local economy.”

Stephanie Bontempi (R-Huntington), who opposed a similar bill last year, supported this year’s version. “Not only do we need to clean up the water, but we need to create more jobs,” she said. “We also need more economic development here on Long Island. To focus more on sewers right now is the right approach.”

Various news reports stated that County Executive Ed Romaine is expected to sign the bill early next month. 

In an interview with Long Island Life & Politics, Trotta expressed his vehement opposition to this bill. He said the proposed increase is “the equivalent to an increase of 120% in the general fund tax.” In addition, the revenue from the proposed sales tax increase won’t go to the sewers, but to the unions because “the county contracts that are coming up.”

“This is a lie and a fraud on the taxpayers,” he said, adding that the voters will be tricked into passing this referendum in November. “[The voters] will pass this because they think, ‘It’s about clean water.’ It’s not about clean water; it’s about taking money from the taxpayers.”