By Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey
With Prop 2’s overwhelming approval, Suffolk County can now embark on a long-term plan to expand and upgrade Suffolk’s aging wastewater infrastructure and establish a new, stable, and long-term funding source for wastewater improvement projects. This is a proud moment for the Legislature and the County.
Throughout this legislative process, I quoted an adage declaring ‘these waterways, bays and streams are not ours – they are borrowed from our children and grandchildren.’ The plan extends the current 1/4 % sales tax which funds water quality initiatives and open space acquisitions and adds an 1/8 % to protect our bodies of water and the water that we drink. The additional twelve cents on each $100 purchase is a small price to pay for cleaner water for generations to come.
As I noted prior to the vote, a yes vote on Proposition 2 meant less pollution, improved water quality, continued open space acquisitions and an increase in solid, local jobs.
A yes vote was good science, good economics, and good sense. For my children and grandchildren, I’m thankful that Suffolk residents agreed.
Legislator Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) has represented the Fourteenth District in the Suffolk County Legislature since 2014. The Fourteenth District includes Babylon Village, Gilgo-Oak Beach-Captree, Copiague, North Babylon, North Lindenhurst, and West Babylon.
Legislator McCaffrey has served as the Presiding Officer of the Legislature since 2022.
The Fourteenth District office is located at 125C South Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst and can be reached at 631-854-1100.
