Suozzi, Rice, King, Meeks, Zeldin Host Virtual Meeting for Long Island Mayors to Provide Update on COVID-19 Federal Response

Today, Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03) joined together with Representatives Kathleen Rice (NY-04), Peter King (NY-02), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), and Lee Zeldin (NY-01) to host a virtual meeting for local Long Island mayors in their congressional districts to provide an update on the federal response to COVID-19 and hear about local concerns and needs.

During the call, the members stressed the importance of fighting for more funding for Long Island and New York as a part of future congressional legislation related to the COVID-19 Pandemic. They also discussed their efforts to get personal protective equipment (PPE) into the hands of local healthcare workers and vulnerable populations.

In a question and answer session, several mayors thanked the Representatives for their efforts to fight for New York and Long Island and shared updates on how the pandemic is affecting their local communities. The mayors who joined represent towns, villages, and cities in Nassau and Suffolk Counties, both of which have more than 70,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases combined.

“Our local Long Island communities have been hit harder than anywhere else in the nation. In DC, I will continue to fight for our state and for our local municipalities until we receive our fair share. As a former mayor, I understand the pressure the cities and villages are under as they try and address local concerns while facing declining revenues from stalled building construction, slowing tax collections, and other reduced activity,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi, who represents three of hardest-hit counties in the nation and has helped get thousands of PPE to healthcare heroes in his district. “I also want to thank the members of the Long Island delegation for their work in fighting for New York and for successfully putting aside our differences to fight for the common good.” 

“Securing direct federal assistance for New York State and our local municipalities is my top priority in the next coronavirus relief package,” said Rep. Kathleen Rice. “Today’s call provided the opportunity for our Long Island delegation to hear directly from local leaders on where funding is needed most, and I want to specifically thank Mayor Robert Kennedy of Freeport for joining us. Mayor Kennedy led the South Shore through our recovery after Superstorm Sandy and he continues to fight for our communities as President of the New York Conference of Mayors. Together, we will make sure Long Island has the resources it needs to overcome this crisis.”

“Villages and their mayors are an integral part of Long Island particularly now, as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Peter King.
 

“Coordination between all levels of government is paramount right now, as well as coordination across ideological lines. We are seeing all across New York a lack of resources, fiscal or otherwise. There is an urgent need for Congress to pass local aid immediately in the next relief package, so our local municipalities are properly funded in their response to coronavirus, otherwise we’ll have a bad problem become worse. I am inspired to see our delegation working night and day, constantly in communication with each other so we can deliver on the needs of our communities,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks.

"As we seek to finish the fight against coronavirus and work to emerge stronger than ever, our local mayors are helping lead the charge on the ground in our communities," said Rep.  Lee Zeldin. "In addition to continuing to provide our communities with vital Personal Protective Equipment and other resources, we must ensure they have the direct local funding they need to recover economically in light of historic budgetary shortfalls caused by the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus."

“While the federal government is providing some much-needed assistance, it does not go far enough.  The Village of Freeport – and villages throughout the state of New York – are losing millions in revenues, and that is causing a major shortfall.  Coupled with the state’s 20% reduction in revenue, which will impact aid to municipalities, CHIPS funding, or sales tax revenue, villages will feel the crunch of financial shortcomings caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  We appreciate working hand-in-hand with our federal officials and anticipate their unanimous support of aid that will keep our municipalities afloat and providing vital services to residents,” said Village of Freeport Mayor Robert T. Kennedy, President, New York Conference of Mayors.  

“On behalf of the numerous mayors on Long Island we greatly appreciate the ability to have this opportunity to speak with our congressional delegation. Organized by Congressman Tom Suozzi, it gave the mayors an opportunity to discuss our current needs and concerns as we face this global pandemic. Especially since it greatly impacts the economic future and well-being of our communities,” said Sea Cliff Mayor Ed Lieberman, President of the Nassau County Village Officials Association.

 All five members on today’s call have been on the forefront in fighting for New York. They have already sent several letters to the Administration and congressional leaders asking that the New York state government, New York state hospitals, and New York state local governments receive special attention as part of the federal response to coronavirus. Today, Zeldin and Suozzi led, along with the entire Long Island and New York delegations, a letter to Senate and House leadership urging them to provide the needed direct financial assistance so that the State of New York and its municipalities can continue to provide the essential services our districts need now and going forward (the full letter is attached). Suozzi and King have led several of these letters with the entire NY delegation, including two to the Administration asking for hospital aid to be based on the rate of infection and not data unrelated to the pandemic, and another with the entire New York and New Jersey delegations asking congressional leaders for a special fund that should be distributed to states based on the rate of infection.

A full recording of today’s Zoom meeting can be accessed here / Password: 7j%39p6W

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