Legislators Eye County’s Contract Spending – Pay to Play?

Nassau County Legislators Peter J. Schmitt, Ed Mangano, John Ciotti and Dennis Dunne took the Suozzi administration to task at a meeting of the Rules Committee late Monday night.  The 4 Republican members of the 9 person committee grilled representatives from the Department of Public Works and other county departments on the efficiency of county contracts that were presented before the Legislative Rules Committee.

The contracts of dubious merit, all totaling over $8 million, included many “requirements” contracts that would allow county departments, such as DPW, to spend millions for miscellaneous items without approval of the Legislature.  The Republican legislators voted against these contracts in protest to the inefficiency of the process and lack of oversight.

“The county is in fiscal crisis, due in part to Suozzi’s overspending,” said Legislator Schmitt. Ultimately, the 5 Democrats on the Rules Committee approved the contracts in a 5-4 vote.   Yet the Democrats continue to approve contracts – over $8 million Monday night alone – for firms that made hefty political contributions to Suozzi.  For example: 

A contract for $1.5 million to E&A Restoration - contributed $35,000 to Suozzi

A contract for $2 million to RBA Group  - contributed $4,500 to Suozzi

A contract for $290,000 to Gibbons, Esposito & Boyce Engineers - contributed $4,500 to Suozzi

A contract for $515,000 to Smith Valuation/Standard Valuation Services – contributed $18,500 to Suozzi

 “Once again, the do-nothing Democrats simply rubber-stamped Suozzi’s pay to play contracts without any consideration for the needs of the taxpayers of this county.  This is disgraceful, and I question whether Suozzi will be able to get this county out of this fiscal crisis,” warned Legislator Schmitt.