Dear Resident,
It is deeply disappointing to me that Governor Hochul’s State of the State address last week failed to address what steps will be taken to fix the fundamental flaws in the bail reform system. Crime is on the rise in New York State and those crimes are being committed by shameless criminals who know they will more likely than not be let right back out on the street due to cashless bail.
The core principle behind bail reform is to not let someone’s bank account determine whether or not they sit in jail and await trial. While this is a noble idea, the practice of letting offenders out on bail while awaiting trial often leads to those same offenders just committing crimes. And the cycle continues.
Nassau County and the State of New York, need laws coming out of Albany that increase safety for our residents. Not laws that increase their risk of harm. The changes that Governor Hochul wants to make to the system cannot be made overnight. However, what can be done to immediately to address these issues is to change the bail reform laws relative to crimes like robbery, burglary and larceny, which are crimes that can easily be committed over and over again without fear of incarceration.
Hochul’s plan to “fix” the system does not seem to take into account the most important concerns we have. The increased risk of harm our residents are facing every day needs to be addressed! https://nypost.com/2023/01/10/hochul-offers-bail-reform-rollback-in-state-of-the-state-speech/
Please be confident in the fact that myself and my colleagues in the Majority will continue to support our colleagues in the State Senate and Assembly to fight for the kind of change in bail reform laws that will make a real difference in the level of criminal activity we are all witnessing day in and day out through the news media.
On another note, I wanted to let you know that on Thursday, January 26, at 12:00 p.m., I will be hosting the first of two 2023 Virtual Property Tax Assessment Grievance Seminars for all homeowners who disagree with the assessed value of their home as indicated on the 2024-2025 Tentative Notice of Assessment. Representatives from the Nassau County Assessment Review Commission (ARC) will demonstrate to residents how to use ARC’s online tools to file an “Application for Correction of Assessment” online or via USPS mail. My second seminar will take place on Wednesday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m. The time to file a grievance is currently underway and the deadline to file is March 1, 2023.
Please visit my website at: www.nassaucountyny.gov/LD14 to join us at either of these 2023 Virtual Tax Grievance Seminars. No need to RSVP in advance. You can just log in right before the session.
Remember, you do not need to pay a law firm or agency to file a tax grievance. To get information on your specific property, please visit: https://lrv.nassaucountyny.gov/. Forms and applications can also be found at: www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/ARC/forms.html
As always, please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and ideas you may have with respect to the County or on any particular issue that you think I may be able to assist you with. You may contact me at (516) 571-6214 or by email at LSchaefer@NassauCountyNY.gov
Sincerely,
Laura M. Schaefer
Legislator, District 14