Nassau legislature committee approves distributing money from revenue pots
Nassau lawmakers in committees Monday approved distributing to various county programs a total of $35 million from federal pandemic assistance and a landmark opioid legal settlement — two of the largest pots of one-shot county revenues.
County Executive Bruce Blakeman's request to redirect $20 million from the former Household Assistance Program (HAP), which used federal funding, to eight different county projects and another to use $15 million to treat opioid addiction cleared the Rules, Finance and Health committees. Both measures require the approval of the full 19-member legislature on October 24.
"The funding that passed unanimously through legislative committees today will provide additional training for first responders, bolster our small businesses, help our students, improve the health and well-being of vulnerable Nassau residents and so much more. I look forward to seeing this meaningful funding passed by the full legislature," Blakeman said in a statement late Monday.
Blakeman, a Republican who took office in January, cut the Household Assistance Program in May.
HAP, created in 2021 by his Democratic predecessor, former County Executive Laura Curran, used $100 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for one-time, $375 direct payments to households with a combined income up to $76,050.
The county processed more than 70,000 payments, according to the controller's office. There is more than $50 million remaining in the account after reallocating $20 million.
The county received $385 million from the American Rescue Plan, which President Joe Biden signed in March 2021. The money needs to be spent by 2026.
Legislative committees also supported Blakeman vow last month to spend $15 million annually for the next four years on drug prevention, education and treatment from the settlement of the lawsuit it filed against opioid manufacturer and distributors.
Nassau received the $60 million about six months ago. The county could ultimately receive $180 million from the settlement. Nassau University Medical Center will receive $2 million for detox programs.
Blakeman administration officials said they have begun the process of soliciting agencies to bid on contracts for the county's opioid treatment funding.
Legis. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) said she believed the Blakeman administration was taking too long to dispense both the ARPA funding and the opioid settlement money.
"The county is really flushed with money right now so I'm glad we are moving along," said DeRiggi-Whitton. "Using the money in both of these funds is urgent. There are a lot of obstacles to getting this money out the door and I don't want to lose our opportunity."
Also on Monday, Blakeman's $3.88 billion budget for 2023 passed the Rules and Finance committees. Three public budget hearings were scheduled with the first one to be held on Thursday in the legislative chambers.
Legislators must adopt a county budget by October 31.
Some of the programs that will receive parts of $20 million redirected from a program that sent one-time, $375 direct payments to households (the Household Assistance program or HAP):
- $1.5 million in training for first responders. This funding will enhance its training program including prevention and mitigation tactics for public health hazards such as COVID-19.
- $2 million to assist individuals suffering from mental health, chemical dependency and similar issues caused, or exacerbated, by the pandemic.
- $10 million for the Main Street Small Business Grant Program, which provides grants of $10,000 to eligible small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the pandemic.
- $2 million for the SEPTIC Replacement Fund Program, assisting homeowners and businesses seeking to replace aging and failing cesspools to protect ground and surface water quality.
Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.
