Says County Executive Sat on $2.1B in Unspent Funds
By Hank Russell
Nassau County Democratic lawmakers, led by Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) and Public Safety Committee Ranking Member Legislator Seth I. Koslow (D-Merrick), ranking member of the Public Safety Committee, unveiled a bombshell audit and official documents at a March 27 press conference, revealing that County Executive Bruce Blakeman is sitting on more than $2.1 billion in previously authorized but unspent capital funding — even as he demands another $428 million in new borrowing.
“Bruce Blakeman created this mess by politicizing public safety, and as he continues to block resources from going to our first responders and fails to build infrastructure, he’s spending all of his time trying to convince the public that it’s somebody else’s fault,” said DeRiggi-Whitton. “We’re not backing down until every one of Nassau County’s 19 legislative districts gets what they’ve already been promised.”
The audit reveals that Blakeman’s administration has failed to spend funds meant for critical public safety and infrastructure needs — despite already securing their approval. Specific allocations still untouched include:
- $226.7 million for public safety projects (e.g., body cameras, bulletproof vests, ambulances, police HQ upgrades)
- $581.8 million for infrastructure improvements
- $1.2 billion for sewer and stormwater systems
“We’ve uncovered a backlog of broken promises,” Koslow — who is running against Blakeman for county executive — said. “He’s been authorized to buy bulletproof vests, fund ambulance replacements, and equip officers with lifesaving gear — but instead of acting, he’s blaming.”
Koslow said Blakeman’s administration “is failing first responders,” and “failing the people of Nassau County. Until he signs a binding agreement to release these funds and treat every community equally, we will not support one more dime in new borrowing.”
This new audit follows last week’s revelations that Blakeman blocked more than $1 million in approved public safety grants to first responders in Democratic legislative districts. Since November 2023, Republican districts have received $2.5 million across 31 projects — while Democratic districts have received nothing.
This is not the first time the Democrats have called on Blakeman to provide equal funding for all legislative districts, regardless of political affiliation. As previously reported in Long Island Life & Politics, the Democratic minority told Blakeman last summer that they would withhold the necessary votes for him to borrow millions of dollars in county funds until he provided funding for first responders and clean drinking water.
It was also reported by LILP that DeRiggi-Whitton called on Attorney General Letitia James to investigate Blakeman for misuse of county funds. The request came in response to revelations that Blakeman allegedly spent over $100,000 in taxpayer money on a countywide mailer that appears to serve as a political advertisement for then-Congressman Anthony D’Esposito (R-Garden City).
“If you drive through Nassau County, you’ll see what exactly what we’re talking about – some communities get the money, and some don’t,” Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Valley Stream) said. “When districts do not get the projects they deserve because of partisan politics, its residents are paying more but getting less for their tax dollars. This County Executive has granted 34 projects for Republicans and zero to Democrats. The difference is stark, and it’s unacceptable.”
Among the capital items still sitting on the shelf — despite being approved by the Legislature and requested by the county executive himself — are:
- Bulletproof vests: Over $3.2 million requested in FY 2023 and 2024, still unissued.
- Ambulance replacements: Over $3.5 million requested and authorized in FY 2023 and 2024.
- Ambulance equipment: Nearly $2 million requested and authorized in FY 2023.
- Officer-worn body cameras: $1.5 million requested and authorized in FY 2023.
- Tasers: $50,000 in unissued funds since 2021, with an additional $1.3 million approved in FY 2023 and 2024.
- Police headquarters renovations: $1.5 million requested since 2021, still sitting idle.
- Correctional Center Master Plan: $32 million authorized since 2019 — untouched.
“You don’t get to ignore $2.1 billion in untapped infrastructure and public safety resources and turn around and get to cry, ‘emergency,’” said Alternate Deputy Minority Leader Debra Mulé (D-Freeport). “It becomes a moral issue when you put through 34 projects for the Majority caucus and you put through zero for the Minority caucus.”
Legislators also called attention to more than $40 million in bonded Community Revitalization Projects (CRPs) that remain paralyzed due to the County Executive’s refusal to sign off, despite past negotiations and approvals.
“The projects are already funded. The blueprints are drawn. All that’s missing is a signature from Bruce Blakeman,” said Legislator Koslow. “We’ve negotiated in good faith. We’re not doing it again. The taxpayers of Nassau deserve action, not obstruction.”
The unused funds are confirmed in Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips’ most recent Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mulé said Blakeman will not be allowed to borrow any more money until he commits to the funding for first responders and using the already approved bonding “in every district for every resident – without political calculation.”
“Nassau County residents deserve transparency, timelines and tangible results – not headlines and hollow press conferences,” Mulé said. We’re drawing a line – no more borrowing until the County Executive meets with and commits to our funding for first responders and using the bonds that have already been approved,
“Public safety isn’t a ‘pet project.’ Clean water isn’t a partisan issue,” said DeRiggi-Whitton. “This is about fairness, and Blakeman’s refusal to govern for all of Nassau County proves why we need transparency and accountability now more than ever. If he wants to borrow more funds, we need assurances that projects will go forward, our police and first responders will get what they need, and that taxpayer funds won’t just sit there again while he’s prioritizing everything but doing his job as the county executive.”
LILP reached out to Blakeman’s office. Blakeman’s spokesperson Christopher Boyle said it’s actually the Democrats who are holding up the funding. “The Democrats are peddling nonsense while blocking life-saving funding for police bulletproof vests, new ambulances, and fire rescue trucks,” he said. “Instead of manufacturing outrage over legally bonded funds they know can’t be used elsewhere, they should explain why they’re more interested in playing politics than protecting first responders and the communities they serve.”