Jay H. Schneiderman, Suffolk County Comptroller

Jay Schneiderman

Democrat

BACKGROUND: Schneiderman, 56, is running on the Democratic, Working Families, Women’s Equality and Protect the Taxpayer party lines. Schneiderman has a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and a master’s degree from SUNY Cortland. He is currently in his second term as Southampton Town Supervisor after hitting the 12-year term limit as a Suffolk County legislator. He previously served as East Hampton Town Supervisor. He co-owns the Breakers motel in Montauk.

ISSUES: Schneiderman said he wants to advise the county legislature on policy and work to develop a “sustainable budget model.” Schneiderman said he would advise the legislature on any potential impacts to sales tax revenue — the county’s main funding source — before it votes on any action. He said he wants to shape policies to grow the economy to boost consumer spending. Schneiderman said he is trying to come up with an equation to predict the impact the new federal tax law will have on county sales tax. Schneiderman said he believes the county’s bond rating was too far downgraded, so he would bring the credit rating agencies in to appeal for a higher one to get lower interest rates. Schneiderman touted that he has not had to raise taxes in his 19 years in government. He said that Southampton Town has a top bond rating and had no reportable deficiencies in audits in the last two years. Schneiderman said he would want to modernize the comptroller’s office and streamline processes for nonprofit aid applications.

By Rachelle Blidner

rachelle.blidner@newsday.com@rachelleblidner

Rachelle Blidner covers Suffolk County government, politics and breaking news.