June 23, 2008

Schmitt Denounces Democrats for Taking Away Right to Elect Assessor

Nassau County Legislative Minority Leader Peter J. Schmitt announced today the Republican delegation’s opposition to the county Democrats’ proposal to change the law to have the County Tax Assessor appointed rather than elected.  Currently, the County Assessor is an elected position voted upon every 6 years.  The new legislation proposed by County Executive Tom Suozzi and the 10 members of the Democrat Majority on the Nassau County Legislature seeks to change the position from elected to one that is appointed by the County Executive and affirmed by the Legislature. 

“This proposal is outrageous and it is robbing Nassau County residents of their constitutional right of representation and their right to vote for a policy making government official.   We haven’t seen a step backwards in representation since before the civil rights movement,” said Legislator Schmitt.  “Property taxes are out of control and the assessments have skyrocketed during the tenure of our current Assessor, Harvey Levinson.  Now the Majority wants to take away the people’s ability to choose the next Assessor.  We can’t stand for it,” avowed Legislator Schmitt.     

Since 1939, the people of Nassau County have had the right, by law, to vote at-large for their County Assessor.  The proposed change in legislation would effectively eliminate the people’s choice and give it to the County Executive.  “This does not feel like America.  Americans should have the right to voice their support or objection to an official by casting their votes.  This law quashes the voices of all 1.3 million Nassau County residents and replaces them with the County Executive and the 10 Democrats sitting on the Legislature.  It also ensures that there is no end to the nightmare we call the county’s assessment system.  This is unamerican,” said Legislator Schmitt. 

“The Assessor should be subject to an election as the law currently requires, and he or she should stand up and be held accountable for the state of our property taxing system under their watch.  This act goes far beyond the position of Assessor.  Without our right to vote, how can the people of Nassau County be heard?  We will do all that we can to oppose this legislation, and we urge all voters to do the same,” said Legislator Schmitt.