Nassau GOP leads repeal of fast-food calorie law
Republicans on the Nassau County Legislature say a law passed by Democrats requiring fast food chains to post calorie information would be in conflict with a similar federal bill expected to take effect next year. Credit: AP
The new Republican majority on the Nassau County Legislature voted Monday to repeal a bill requiring fast food chains to post calorie information, voiding a law passed by Democrats last year when they had control.
The party-line effort was backed by 11 Republicans with eight Democrats against. The law went in to effect April 6, but no violations have been issued, according to Mary Ellen Laurain, a spokeswoman for the county health department.
It was the first purely Democratic bit of legislation passed during the 10 years of Democratic control that was reversed by the Republican majority that took over Jan. 4.
Republicans said the repeal was necessary because the local law would be in conflict with federal regulations on posting calories that are expected next year.
"This repeal comes about as a result of my office being contacted by several restaurant associations who were expressing concerns about the uncertainty, the ambiguity that is created by having federal legislation," said Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt of Massapequa.
Still, Democrats said the local law should remain in effect until the federal regulations kicked in.
Democratic Legis. Wayne Wink of Roslyn said he had seen no outpouring of support for repeal, other than two letters Schmitt had gotten from industry groups.
"It seems to me if there was an uprising in popular support for repealing a common sense law . . . we haven't seen the outpouring of support that would normally be required of us when we were in the majority," Wink said.
Similar posting requirements are scheduled to go into effect in Suffolk County in October, according to Dan Aug, a spokesman for County Executive Steve Levy.
"We are awaiting an opinion from legal counsel as to how the federal measure impacts Suffolk rules and regulations," Aug said.
A calorie-posting law in effect in New York City since March 31, 2008, is consistent with the federal law and will not be affected, the city's Health Department said in a statement.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
