Suozzi Scores Seat On Ways And Means

Congressman Thomas Suozzi works during a hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Huntington’s second-term congressman Thomas Suozzi has been named to the House of Representatives’ Ways and Means Committee.

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) thanked House Democratic leadership and the new Ways and Means Committee chair Richard Neal (D- Worcester, MA) for appointing him to the prestigious committee.

“It is an honor to be appointed and serve my constituents on this committee,” Suozzi said. “I will fight for the national issues voters and American families are concerned about – increasing wages, improving retirement security and reducing healthcare and prescription drug costs – as well as local issues like reinstating the SALT deduction.”

The Committee on Ways and Means is the oldest committee of the United States Congress, and is the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives. The committee has jurisdiction over revenue and related issues such as tariffs, trade agreements, Social Security, Medicare and other social services programs.

Suozzi said his experience as a former CPA, an attorney, Mayor of Glen Cove and Nassau County Executive would help bring expertise to the committee charged with handling revenue and tax legislation.

Suozzi is slated to take over the “downstate New York seat” on the committee previously held by former Democratic congressman Joe Crowley. Crowley lost the 2018 Democratic primary for New York’s 14th District in Queens to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Suozzi is one of 10 new Democratic members appointed to the Ways and Means Committee since the Democrats took control of the House on Jan. 3.

Alleged MS-13 Members Charged In Teen's Stabbing

Three alleged MS 13 gang members arrested after a 16-year-old Huntington High School student was stabbed at the Big H shopping center in Huntington, entered the country illegally, according to the Suffolk DA. Police charged, from left, Nobeli Montes Zuniga, Oscar Canales Molina and Ramon Arevalo Lopez with second-degree assault. Photos/SCPD

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

Three alleged members of the MS-13 street gang arrested Wednesday after a teen was stabbed at the Big H shopping center in Huntington entered the country illegally, according to Suffolk District Attorney Tim Sini.

At a press conference Thursday afternoon Sini detailed the incident that sent a 16-year-old Huntington High School student to the hospital and left at least one other teen injured.

Police were called to the Burger King in the Big H shopping center at 837 New York Avenue at 3:38 p.m. on Jan. 9 where a fight had broken out between two groups, Sini said.

The alleged MS-13 members – Nobeli Montes Zuniga, 20, Ramon Arevalo Lopez, 19, and Oscar Canales Molina, 17, all of Huntington Station – “charged after the teens while wielding bats and knives, and an altercation broke out,” Sini said.  

During the ensuing “melee,” Sini said Lopez stabbed the 16-year-old.

The stabbing victim was taken from the scene to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Sini said another teen was also injured in the incident.

The three suspects took off in a Toyota, and were arrested in the vehicle a short time later “with blood on their clothing and hands,” Sini said.

Zuniga, Lopez and Molina are all “confirmed” members of the MS 13 gang, and all entered the country illegally,Sini said.

According to the DA:

• The alleged stabber, Lopez, entered the country illegally on Dec. 8, 2016 and was picked up by the Department of Homeland Security in October 2017. A federal judge released him from custody in June 2018.

• Molina entered the country as an unaccompanied minor. He was picked up by Homeland Security in July 2017 and released by a federal judge on November 28 of that year.

• Zuniga entered the country as an unaccompanied minor.

There was increased security at Huntington High School Thursday.

In a letter posted to the district website Wednesday night, Huntington Superintendent James Polansky said high school staff was aware of the incident.

“So as to take every precaution possible, additional security measures will be in place at the school tomorrow morning and a police presence has been requested,” Polansky said in the letter.

Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart confirmed police acted on Polansky’s request and had officers at the high school Thursday during lunchtime and at dismissal.

She said Thursday afternoon no incidents had occurred at the school.

Zuniga, Lopez and Molina were all charged with second-degree assault. They were arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on Jan. 10.

Lopez’s bail was set at $35,000, according to Sini.

Dem Power On Display At Swearing-In

State Senator Jim Gaughran, third from right, celebrates his official swearing in ceremony at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport with Democratic politicians, from left, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Governor Andrew Cuomo, as well as his wife Carol and son Michael. Photos/Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo

By Connor Beach
cbeach@longislandergroup.com

It was a show of power from state Democratic politicians at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport Sunday for the swearing-in ceremony of recently elected State Senator Jim Gaughran.

Governor Andrew Cuomo made the trip from Albany to lead Gaughran in the oath of office in front of a full house of enthusiastic supports. Gaughran’s wife Carol and son Michael were also on hand to witness the ceremony.

Cuomo said he was “excited” to work with Gaughran, who Cuomo said would give Long Islanders “a voice and power they have not had before.”

“Nobody sweeps away Jim Gaughran,” Cuomo said. “You're going to have the strongest delegation you have ever had and you're going to see a state government that delivers more for Long Island.”

Gaughran’s defeat of veteran Republican State Senator Carl Marcellino in the 5th State Senate District in November was a significant victory for New York Democrats. Senate Democrats picked up eight seats and enter 2019 with a 39-24 majority.

As state lawmakers return to Albany this week for the start of the new legislative session, Democrats now control the governor’s office and both houses of the legislature.

In his speech during Sunday’s ceremony, Gaughran said the Democratic majority signaled the “end of years and years of the state senate not allowing votes on so many critical issues.”

Issues Gaughran said he hoped to tackle during his term included criminal justice and ethics reform, healthcare, the Long Island Rail Road, environmental issues and gun safety reform.

A who’s who of Democratic power players flanking Gaughran on stage for the ceremony also included Senator Chuck Schumer, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D- Glenn Cove) who served as master of ceremony.

Schumer said Gaughran “earned” his senate seat on a record of ethics reform while serving on the Huntington town board and Suffolk County legislature.

“Some people are just born dedicated to public service, and that’s Jim Gaughran,” Schumer said.

Bellone also highlighted Gaughran’s leadership experience at the local level.

“Jim has been a leader here in this town, this county and on Long Island for decades now,” Bellone said. “I know Jim is going to continue to make us proud representing our interests here in the fifth district.”

Despite the new Democratic majority, Gaughran said he wants to work with republicans to “bring civility back to government.”

He said he would “do more to encourage democracy, bring more civility to politics and work with my Republican colleagues to get things done.”