On Nov. 5th 2024, Vote YES on Proposition 2 — The Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act

• September 18, 2024
• Ernie Fritz
• no comments

If you vote locally in Suffolk County, this November 5th, we urge you to support Proposition 2, the Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act, and vote YES to affirm your support for a cleaner environment.

In brief, the act authorizes the Suffolk County Legislature to move forward and establish a new Water Quality Restoration Fund supported by an additional one-eighth percent (1/8%) on local sales tax.

Because the Suffolk County Legislature does not have the authority to impose a sales tax increase on its own, the proposed measure must be voted on by the voters through a referendum.

If approved, the act is anticipated to generate $3 to $4 billion in new water quality funding that can only be used for water quality improvement projects, such as expanding sewer coverage to new areas, enhancing and maintaining existing sewerage facilities, and replacing and installing I-A (Innovative and Alternative Onsite Wastewater Systems) in sensitive areas, where sewers cannot be installed.

The sales tax increase would go into effect as early as March 1, 2025, and run until February 29, 2060. Currently, only about 25% of Suffolk County has proper sewer facilities.

A brief history of the genesis of the bill, and how we got to this point, can be read here in the Riverhead Local and this Newsday article.

Then, in May of 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act (Legislation S.8473/A.8993 ) after the New York State Senate and the State Assembly passed their bills earlier this year.

With that, the legislation will be put forward as a ballot referendum for voters to consider on November 5th.

Fire Island Green supports a YES vote.

More information is also available at https://www.voteyesprop2.com.