Left to right: Legislators Scott Davis, Olena Nicks, Seth Koslow, and Delia DeRiggi-Whitton stand united as Koslow displays the agreement that guarantees critical funding for first responders — an agreement that County Executive Bruce Blakeman has refused to sign.
(Mineola, NY) March 25, 2025 – Nassau County Legislature’s Democratic Minority today stood united against County Executive Bruce Blakeman’s request to borrow nearly half a billion dollars, pledging to withhold approval until over $1 million in essential public safety funds are immediately released to first responders. Democratic lawmakers emphasized that this funding, already approved in previous capital plans, is vital to public safety but has been unjustly withheld by Blakeman.
Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton criticized Blakeman for politicizing critical resources: “From veteran legislators to our newest members, we all agree—County Executive Bruce Blakeman has politicized even the most basic issues. Funding clean drinking water, equipping firefighters, and supporting emergency responders should never be political. Sadly, under this County Executive, everything has become a partisan fight. This stops today.”
Ranking Member of the Public Safety Committee, Legislator Seth Koslow detailed the seriousness of the withheld funds, highlighting essential items denied to first responders: “We're not talking about Republican fires or Democratic fires—just fires that need to be put out. The withheld funds would provide critical turnout gear to protect first responders with new turnout gear, CPR devices, and communication equipment. Yet, since November 2023, funds have flowed exclusively to Republican districts, leaving Democratic areas completely unfunded. This blatant political bias must end now.”
Democratic legislators announced their unprecedented demand for Blakeman to sign a binding agreement to release the withheld funds within three months and to commit to regular, transparent updates on the progress of capital projects throughout all legislative districts.
Legislator Scott Davis highlighted past efforts to overcome similar partisan obstacles: “Last September, Democrats were forced to hold up borrowing because Blakeman refused to release federal funds meant to address contaminated drinking water in the Village of Hempstead—funding that Republican districts received immediately for identical projects. It took Democrats refusing to sign off on more borrowing before Blakeman agreed to release the funding. This pattern of unequal distribution must end.”
Legislator Olena Nicks, herself a 14-year veteran volunteer firefighter, underscored the immediate risks to first responders posed by Blakeman’s actions: “Withholding money for basic safety gear—like protective coats or SCBA’s (self-contained breathing apparatus) — is unacceptable. First responders see through these dangerous political games, and we will continue standing united until the County Executive prioritizes public safety over politics.”
Democratic legislators expressed their openness to dialogue but emphasized their determination to maintain their stance until the County Executive complies with these essential public safety demands. Legislators reiterated they will withhold their votes approving more than $420 million in additional county borrowing until first responders are fully funded and a letter of agreement is signed by the county Executive guaranteeing that these funds will be released. They highlighted that since November 2023, Republicans have exclusively received funding, securing $2.5 million across 31 projects, while Democratic districts – which comprise approximately 40 percent of the county – have received no funding at all.
Legislator Seth Koslow concluded strongly, stating, “Public safety isn't negotiable. Until the County Executive puts safety ahead of partisan politics, we’re not backing down.”