Serving Manhasset, Munsey Park, North Hills, Plandome Heights, Plandome Manor, Plandome and Flower Hill
$1.50
Friday, February 9, 2024
Vol. 12, No. 6
VALENTINE’S DINING & GIFTS
MANHASSET SCHOOLS COUNTY ANNOUNCES HIT STATE AID CUT OPIOID MONEY GRANTS
PAGES 23-30
PAGE 2
PAGE 20
Push back on state funding N. Shore schools, GOP pols object BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Long Island Republicans and North Shore school districts are pushing back against the governor’s state aid proposal for 2025, which would change the way education funds are handed out for school budgets as enrollment declines statewide. “Because we’re not cutting fat, folks, we’re cutting bone,” New York State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) warned at a rally opposing the governor’s proposal. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2025 budget proposal includes an allocation of $35.3 billion in state school aid. This is an increase of $825 million from the prior budget, or a rise of 2.4%, amounting to the highest proposal for school funding in the state’s history. The $825 million proposed increase from budget to budget encompasses a $507 million rise in Foundation Aid – the state’s main education operating aid formula based on equity. The remaining $318 million increase is attributed to all other school aid programs. The state’s foundation aid has historically included a hold harmless protocol, which is a standard that ensures school districts either receive the same or more foundation aid from year to year regardless of enrollment. Continued on Page 48
PHOTO COURTESY OF NORTHWELL HEALTH
Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling (with scissors) and Trustee Chair Margaret Crotty (right) surrounded by Northwell leaders and members of the Petrocelli family at the dedication of the $560 million Petrocelli Surgical Pavillion at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. See story on page 2.
Suozzi, Mazi vote begins for CD3 Nation watches special election for Santos seat amid fight over border, Ukraine BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Voters began casting their ballots Saturday in the high-stakes special election to fill the seat in New York’s Third Congressional District left vacant by the expulsion of Geroge Santos from the House of Representatives. Former Democratic Congressman
Tom Suozzi and Republican Nassau encompasses the western part of Long County Legislator Mazi Pilip are fac- Island’s North Shore and a section ing off in a Feb. 13 special election, of northeastern Queens, began on Saturday and will run which could determine through Feb. 11, with the balance of power Election Day schedin the House with ReSee related uled for Feb. 13. publicans clinging to a election coverage Polling locations tiny majority. and times vary, but a Santos was tossed PAGES 3, 6, 20 full list of the Nassau out of Congress in County early voting loDecember after he was found to have repeatedly lied cations can be found on the county’s to voters, then later indicted on 21 Board of Elections website. Nassau County polling locations federal charges and found to have committed numerous violations by on Election Day will be open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Registered voters can find the House Ethics Committee. Early voting for New York’s their assigned polling place through Third Congressional District, which the state’s Board of Election’s website.
Queens early voting and Election Day polling locations can be found on the New York City Board of Elections website. The candidates: Suozzi v. Mazi Although an abbreviated campaign of about 10 weeks will pre-date the election, the race for New York’s Third Congressional District has heated up between the two candidates and drawn national attention with the party divide in Congress near an even split. Suozzi, who describes himself as a middle-of-the-road Democrat, represented the 3rd Congressional District over three terms in the House Continued on Page 49