LI Wins silent over latest Levy remark

For two years, nobody slammed Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy more than Long Island WINS, the pro-immigrant outlet with a well-read blog.

But in recent weeks, as would-be Gov. Levy sparred with Hispanic lawmakers and drew static for his "Shaniqua" line, longislandwins.- com was muted. The reason: A strict interpretation of federal tax law that LI WINS' campaign director Maryann Slutsky said bars the nonprofit from endorsing or weighing in on candidates.

"We certainly wish to comply with the rules and regulations for tax-exempt organizations," Slutsky said. "I'm waiting to have a more in-depth conversation with our lawyers to see what we can say." - Reid J. Epstein