The
Republican Caucus of the Suffolk County Legislature announced the selection of
10th District Legislator Tom Cilmi as Minority Leader. Cilmi has
been a vocal proponent of changes to the County’s budget process, has advocated
for multi-year budgeting and for voting on the County’s budget and tax levy
before Election Day.
Cilmi
said, “I’m honored to lead the Republican caucus in 2018 and look forward to
working with any member, Republican or Democrat, who wants to put an end to
back door fees and taxes and to wasteful spending and borrowing.”
At
Tuesday’s Organizational Meeting, the Republican Caucus proposed changes to the
Rules of the Legislature, the body’s governing document, to increase
transparency and public participation. Democrat Legislator Monica Martinez also
proposed changes.
In
a show of bipartisanship, the Republican Caucus unanimously supported the
changes proposed by Martinez. When it
came to Republican proposals, however, four out of five proposals were killed
by the Democrat majority.
As
for the Rules vote, Cilmi said, “The Rules changes we put forth are common
sense proposals designed to improve transparency and increase public
participation in the legislative process. Unfortunately, It appears that most of our
Democrat colleagues only want bipartisanship when it suits them.”
Legislator
Kevin McCaffrey said, “Today
the Republican Caucus began our efforts to demand transparency. Unfortunately,
the Democrat majority blocked these calls for good and open government. Our
Caucus remains committed to protecting the residents and taxpayers of Suffolk
County.”
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