Suffolk moves to smooth transition for new lawmakers

The Suffolk Legislature has passed legislation to smooth the transition for incoming lawmakers after Legis. Rudy Sunderman (R-Shirley) complained he took office Jan. 1 without files on constituent issues and had to pick up keys to the office at a nearby strip mall.

The law, sponsored by the first-term Sunderman, requires outgoing legislators to preserve records and allow “reasonable access” to district offices by December 1 for newly elected county legislators before they are sworn in. Keys will have to be delivered at least five days before the departing official leaves office.

Sunderman said there “were no files left” by his term-limited predecessor Kate Browning (D-Shirley) and he had to pick up the office key the day before taking office.

“It’s so newly elected officials can walk in there on day one and know the lay of the land,” he said. Sunderman defeated Browning aide Joshua Slaughter in the November election.

Browning, in an interview last week, denied that any files were missing and said Sunderman could have picked up keys from staff at any time in the weeks before the transition. She said files about active issues had been shared with Brookhaven officials and her staff had only discarded completed constituent cases.

“I’d love to know what files he’s talking about,” said Browning, who’s running for the Democratic nomination to face Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley).

Sunderman’s bill passed Tuesday night as other lawmakers, including Legis. Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood) and Legis. Sarah Anker (D-Mount Sinai) said they too had had rocky transitions when they won office.

Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory (D-Copiague) said at Tuesday’s meeting, “I understand elections can be an emotional process. It’s not always an easy transition. This sets some protocols.”

By David M. Schwartz

dschwar1@newsday.comschwartznewsNY

David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.