In addition to the inauguration of Ed Romaine (R-Center Moriches) as Suffolk’s ninth County Executive, his main partner, the Suffolk County Legislature, was also sworn in for their next session. January 2 saw all eighteen county legislators sworn in for their 2024-2025 terms.
Eighteen districts of roughly equal populations and communities of interest make up the entirety of Suffolk County write, change, and oversee county laws and to work closely with the county executive to chart the future of Suffolk County.
Twelve Republicans and six Democrats were seated on January 2, cementing a Republican supermajority in the chamber, along with a Republican county executive.
All eighteen legislators were administered the oath of office en masse and individually signed the county clerk’s book, overseen by Clerk Vincent Puleo (R-Nesconset).
The inaugural ceremony was attended by friends and families of the legislators, as well as District Attorney Ray Tierney (R), Senator Mario Mattera (R-St. James), Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip), County Comptroller John Kennedy (R-Nesconset), Suffolk Police Benevolent Association (PBA) President Lou Civello, and Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs PBA President John Becker.
Sworn in on January 1, County Executive Romaine addressed the legislature before their session began.
“I have nothing but the greatest respect for the people who serve here,” said Romaine. “We are partners. It’s up to the county executive and the eighteen legislators to guide this county, to set a course for this future, to set sail on the distant horizon to what should be a prosperous, affordable future for the residents of this county. I look forward to working with each and every one of you.”
Romaine served as a county legislator from 1986 to 1989 and then served as county clerk for sixteen years. He then returned to the legislature from 2006 to 2012 until his election as Brookhaven town supervisor. Romaine represented the North Fork-based First District in both his stints in the legislature.
“There is less partisanship here. We have to focus our efforts on common sense policy for the future of this county,” he continued. “I cannot wait to start working with all of you and to make sure that you have the tools and funding you need for the important projects for your districts.”
Romaine offered an optimistic, comforting message to the legislators, five of whom are freshmen:
“Set the course, I’ll man the rudder, let’s guide this Island forward,” he concluded. “Let’s make sure our county remains great, affordable, and safe. God bless you, have a great year.”
Votes were then taken to elect a presiding officer and a deputy presiding officer. Incumbents Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) and Deputy Presiding Officer Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters) were re-elected presiding officer and deputy presiding officer, respectively, in two 17-0 votes. Only Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) abstained.
McCaffrey was nominated by Nick Caracappa (C-Selden), with seconds from Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport) and Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park). McCaffrey was highly regarded by his nominators and was hailed for ability to lead the legislature.
“He wants to get things done for the betterment of our county, and possesses true leadership skills,” said Legislator Bontempi.
“He’s a true leader, an old-fashioned, common-sense elected official,” said Legislator Donnelly.
Flotteron was nominated by Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches), with seconds from Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) and Tom Donnelly.
Presiding Officer McCaffrey addressed the legislature and the audience, thanked the body, his friends, and family for their support, and also welcomed the new legislators.
“I ran on the slogan ‘results matter,’ and I think we got a lot done the last two years,” said McCaffrey. “We ran on increasing public safety and working with our partners in law enforcement. We hired a record number of police officers in successive years, we gave our District Attorney Ray Tierney the tools and the resources to hire and retain assistant district attorneys, we built the ranks of the superior officers, we began the process of hiring more detectives, we raised the starting rate of our corrections officers, and working with our new county executive, we’re going to do the same for our deputy sheriffs, who deserve it.”
McCaffrey also outlined accomplishments of paying cash when possible for county expenditures, over bonding, saving taxpayer dollars, eliminating the red light camera administrative fee, and recapturing ownership of the H. Lee Dennison Building, which was previously mortgaged out.
“We will pass a home-rule message that will reflect our priorities in funding sewers and alternative wastewater systems, which will make sure the quality of our surface and drinking waters and our environment are protected for our children and grandchildren,” said McCaffrey.
Deputy Presiding Officer Flotteron, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, addressed the legislature after McCaffrey, and spoke of decorum and cooperation common to the legislature.
“For every one hundred things we vote on, there might be one thing we disagree on,” said Flotteron. “We wish our own households were that smooth sometimes.”
Flotteron mentioned the county’s $1.2 billion in reserves, as well as the importance of maintaining favorable bond ratings.
Majority Leader Caracappa discussed his optimism and the legislature’s agenda with The Messenger after the ceremonies.
“I am very optimistic, this is a new day for Suffolk County,” said Caracappa. “With a supermajority in the legislature, we are committed to getting things done, like we ran on: a safer, more affordable Suffolk County. We will be concentrating on everything from water quality for our environment, economic development, sewers; we have a list of priorities. We are working collaboratively with both sides of the aisle to get things done for the people of Suffolk County as a whole.”
A top priority of the legislature, he said, is to make the residents of Suffolk County aware of the legislature’s interest in keeping the natural and economic environments sustainable and affordable.
“We want our residents to understand that the legislature is looking out for their best interests, their quality of life, their communities, and their ability to raise their families here,” said Caracappa. “We want them to know we’re committed to continuing our fight to provide opportunities, holding the line on taxes, and lowering the cost of living.
Regarding top priorities for the next hundred days, Caracappa mentioned his incoming introduction of legislation to increase the amount of workforce housing.
“The term ‘affordable housing’ carries a stigma with it these days,” he said. “I don’t want that stigma with workforce housing that is affordable. I want workforce housing for our young professionals who come out of college or the trades – such as our teachers or health professionals, or whoever they may be – they need opportunities. It is up to us to provide opportunities to the residents of Suffolk County, particularly our youth. We want to keep our youth here. Housing is the priority to get them living independently and contributing to our communities to make them more sustainable.”
The 2024-2025 Suffolk County Legislature
(Stars denote freshmen members)
Catherine Stark* (R-Riverhead) – District One
Ann Welker* (D-Southampton) – District Two
Jim Mazzarella (R-Moriches) – District Three
Majority Leader Nick Caracappa (C-Selden) – District Four
Steve Englebright* (D-Setauket) – District Five
Chad Lennon* (R-Rocky Point) – District Six
Dominick Thorne (R-Patchogue) – District Seven
Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) – District Eight
Sam Gonzalez (D-Brentwood) – District Nine
Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) – District Ten
Deputy Presiding Officer Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters) – District Eleven
Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) – District Twelve
Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) – District Thirteen
Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) – District Fourteen
Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon) – District Fifteen
Rebecca Sanin* (D-Huntington Station) – District Sixteen
Tom Donnelly (D-Deer Park) – District Seventeen
Stephanie Bontempi (R-Centerport) – District Eighteen
