By Debra Mulé
During this season of thanksgiving, it seems that gratitude is a most logical place to begin. To the residents of Nassau County’s Legislative District 6, thank you from the bottom of my heart for once again putting your trust in me to represent you. Your vote of confidence is gratifying and humbling, and I pledge to you that I will do everything in my power to make our government work for you.
All of this would not have been possible without the support of my family and friends, the numerous unions and advocacy organizations that endorsed my campaign for Legislature, and the countless volunteers who knocked doors, walked the community, and spread the word about the importance of voting in every election.
When I begin my new term on Jan. 1, I will have the privilege of serving a newly apportioned district, which encompasses portions of Oceanside and Baldwin, along with the entirety of Freeport – the first time in the history of the Legislature that the community is unified within one district. With these changes comes the sad news that I will no longer have the privilege of representing Roosevelt and South Hempstead; however, I know that you will be in excellent hands under the leadership of my colleague and friend, Legislator Scott M. Davis.
The Nassau County legislative map will be in place through 2032 because of a settlement reached after community advocates and civil liberties organizations sued the County. In their lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that illegal gerrymandering permeated the map used in 2023’s election. District 6 is one of the six majority-minority Legislative districts in which the population is comprised of at least 50 percent underrepresented voting groups.
While the district may have been altered by this outcome, my focus – protecting our environmental treasures, keeping our communities safe, and making Nassau more affordable – remains crystal clear.
I am excited by how the Bay Park conveyance project – one of Nassau’s most significant infrastructure undertakings in recent memory – is scheduled to become fully operational at the start of 2026. This will reap major quality-of-life and public health benefits for us all, and the positive environmental impact upon Reynolds Channel will be monumental. I am deeply grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and New York State for their unwavering support for this effort.
However, we must remain vigilant in our work to secure equitable investments in the necessary road and transportation infrastructure that underpin responsible community-driven economic development. One of Nassau’s great examples can be found in the Baldwin downtown revitalization initiative, where I have worked diligently to deliver tens of millions of dollars in County resources to improve Grand Avenue and make Baldwin a destination for transit oriented smart growth development.
In 2026, I will remain laser focused on making our communities safer for all. As a social worker, I know firsthand how we must aggressively confront the scourge of addiction – and specifically the opioid drug crisis – to save lives, protect public health and bolster public safety. I will continue to work alongside my colleagues to greatly accelerate the release of nearly $100 million in opioid drug lawsuit settlement proceeds so that they get where they belong – in the hands of the mental health professionals and advocates delivering lifesaving recovery, treatment and prevention resources.
Moreover, a comprehensive strategy must also encompass responsible public safety initiatives. That means responsibly resourcing our law enforcement professionals and first responders and continuing the work to strengthen relationships between our communities and the police that serve them. The Democratic Minority used our leverage under the County Charter to deliver $1.3 million in grants to first responders that were inexplicably held up by the County administration; and we will not hesitate to once again use our power where necessary to ensure fair and equitable representation.
Working together, I know that we will accomplish great things in the New Year, and it all starts with you. Never hesitate to reach out to my office with your questions at 516-571-6206 or dmule@nassaucountyny.gov. It is always our privilege and pleasure to serve you and help you navigate Nassau County government.
Debra Mulé, of Freeport, is Nassau County Legislature’s Alternate Deputy Minority Leader. She was first elected in 2017 and currently represents Nassau’s 6th Legislative District.