Nassau County's proposed capital expenditure plan did not attract sufficient votes on Monday. Democrats abstained in protest, and Republican County executive Bruce Blakeman accused them of “Quid Pro Quo.”
All seven Democrats in the county council were absent from the controversial vote – Republicans unanimously endorsing the roughly $430 million plan – after not reaching an agreement with Blakeman, he said he had a timely “agreement for project requests and financial releases for all legislative districts.”
The spending plan required the support of one Democrat to pass.
Blakeman and minority leader Delia Deridge Whitton met in fierce confrontations before the vote after Democrats presented him with a proposal.
“What you're looking for is a Quid Pro,” cried Blakeman, refusing to do business and accusing Democrats of politics in election year.
Democrats argued that Blakeman, who is aiming to be re-election, has “withheld” funds that they have already “withheld” from the districts they represent.
“The score is 31-0. If we agree to this capital plan, it would be a medical malpractice without guaranteeing we will fund projects in our district,” said Seth Koslow, a Democrat who is aiming to steal Blakeman in November.
They argue that Republican-led districts have 31 funding proposals approved by the majority of Republicans in the past three years, while Democrat-controlled districts have received zero support.
“There shouldn't be a need to come to this,” Koslow added.
Blakeman denounced the Democrats for playing “political games,” warning him that he was paying around $4 million in funding to his community, including public safety initiatives, infrastructure projects and new equipment for first responders.
He sent an email Monday evening accusing police and firefighters of paying back.
But Democrats say they don't support the county's capital spending plans or what's in it, but rather they don't trust the district to receive its shares unless Blakeman signs a legally binding contract.
Democrats claim that more than $1 million in new equipment is being maintained for first responders, among other projects.
County executives have largely rejected it as a “pet project” that should be funded primarily through the county's general fund rather than the capital budget, and said negotiations could be accepted once the capital plan is approved.
The fate of spending plans remains in the air as the county council works to schedule another vote in April.
