Legislature Approves $375 Relief Payments For Nassau Homeowners

MINEOLA, NY — The Nassau County Legislature voted almost unanimously to use federal pandemic funding to help households that have experienced financial hardships due to COVID-19.

The Republican-controlled legislature on Monday voted 18-1 to approve County Executive Laura Curran's plan, ending months of stalling during which conservatives questioned its legality.

Under the Democrat's plan, the county will give one-time payments of $375 to hundreds of thousands of qualifying homeowners. The jurisdiction will spend $100 million of the $200 million it's getting this year from the federal American Rescue Plan to finance the program.

"After months of delay, tonight the Nassau County Legislature has finally passed my plan to use federal relief funding for $375 direct payments to up to 400,000 middle- and working-class households," Curran said Monday.

"These direct payments will not only help those who continue to struggle, but also provide a meaningful boost to our local economy," she continued. "I encourage residents to spend this money in our main streets and support local businesses."

Curran, who is seeking re-election against Republican Bruce Blakeman in November, first introduced her proposal in the spring. For months, Republican lawmakers pushed back on the plan, raising doubts about how the funds would be allocated.

Deputy Presiding Officer Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence), the lone no vote, called the program an irresponsible use of federal funds, according to Bloomberg.

"The money could be directed elsewhere, whether it is to pay off debts, or improve the roads, or any other any number of county needs that are critical for the residents," he said, per the news outlet. "$375 is not a night at a good restaurant, but it's not much more than that for most people."

Slamming the Republican Majority, County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams (D-Freeport) said conservatives willfully obstructed the passage of Curran's program.

"After months of willful obstruction, it's about time that the Republican Majority got out of the way of delivering relief to thousands of hard-working Nassau County families," he said. "I congratulate County Executive Curran and her team for having the foresight to pursue this approach to delivering much-needed aid directly to working-class and middle-class residents."

The legislation now goes to Curran's desk for signing.

Once that happens, Curran says checks will begin to be automatically mailed out to households currently received Enhanced STAR, Limited Incomes and Disabilities, and/or Senior Citizen property tax exemptions.

All other households making under $500,000 can determine their eligibility and apply to receive direct payments at NassauCountyNY.Gov/BoostNassau.