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Friday, February 9, 2024
Vol. 73, No. 6
VALENTINE’S DINING & GIFTS
ISLAMIC CENTER SLAMS TOWN DECISION
COUNTY ANNOUNCES OPIOID MONEY GRANTS
PAGES 23-30
PAGE 2
PAGE 20
Push back on state funding
F E N C I N G P L AY O F F S
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 49
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HERRICKS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The Herricks fencing team advanced to the playoffs where they will face off against Manhasset High School and Great Neck North High School.
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 County Legislator Mazi Pilip are facing
off in a Feb. 13 special election, which urday and will run through Feb. 11, could determine the balance of power with Election Day scheduled for Feb. in the House with Republicans clinging 13. Polling locations and times vary, to a tiny majority. but a full list of the NasSantos was tossed sau County early voting out of Congress in Delocations can be found cember after he was See related found to have repeat- election coverage on the county’s Board of Elections website. edly lied to voters, PAGES 3, 6, 20 then later indicted on Nassau County 21 federal charges and polling locations on found to have comElection Day will be mitted numerous violations by the open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Registered House Ethics Committee. voters can find their assigned polling Early voting for New York’s Third place through the state’s Board of ElecCongressional District, which en- tion’s website. compasses the western part of Long Queens early voting and Election Island’s North Shore and a section of Day polling locations can be found on northeastern Queens, began on Sat- 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 from January 2017 to January 2023. He previously served as the Nassau County executive from 2002-2009 and the mayor of Glen Cove from 1994-2001 – the start of his political career. Continued on Page 48