Howard Kopel starts second term as presiding officer of Nassau Legislature

Legis. Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) kicked off his second term as presiding officer of the 19-member Nassau County Legislature on Monday, entering his ninth term.

Kopel, 74, first took office in 2010 and was reelected in November. As head of the legislative branch of the county, Kopel leads meetings, including managing public comment, controlling the calendar and calling for votes.

"We will continue to protect taxpayers, keep our communities safe, and govern with integrity," Kopel wrote in a statement to Newsday on Monday.

Legis. Thomas McKevitt (R-East Meadow) is staying on as deputy presiding officer, while Legis. Michael Giangregorio (R-Merrick) is the body’s new alternate deputy presiding officer.

Before Kopel was elected as presiding officer in 2023, then-Legis. Rich Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) held the seat. He left office in 2023 after 28 years, making him the longest-serving legislator in Nassau.

In November, most legislators were reelected to their seats, with a few new faces. Democrats gained a seat, and Republicans now hold an 11-8 majority, falling two seats short of a supermajority.

"Building on the strong foundation already in place, we will continue the progress made under County Executive [Bruce] Blakeman’s leadership while keeping taxes low, maintaining fiscal discipline, and ensuring our county remains the safest in the nation," Kopel wrote. "This Legislature remains focused on delivering results for residents through strong public safety and responsible, transparent government."

Last November’s election tested a new voting map that gives nonwhite voters more weight than they had before. It stems from legal challenges by Democrats and activists who claimed Republicans gerrymandered lines to keep their majority rule.

The new map created six "majority-minority" districts, where more than 50% of voters are nonwhite. It also created a district where 30% of voters are Asian.

Legis. Seth Koslow (D-Merrick) and Legis. John Ferretti (R-Levittown) had left their posts, with Koslow running and losing against Blakeman for Nassau County executive and Ferretti becoming Hempstead supervisor. Ferretti was succeeded by Legis. Kayla Knight (R-Wantagh).

Legis. Viviana Russell (D-Westbury) was also sworn in last week as a first-term Democrat.

Nassau’s legislature is composed of 12 committees, which discuss, pass or kill bills before they receive a full vote. All committees are chaired by Republicans. Committee assignments are as follows: 

• Rules Committee: Legis. Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence), chair
• Finance Committee: Legis. Thomas McKevitt (R-East Meadow), chair
• Public Works and Parks Committee: Legis. Michael Giangregorio (R-Merrick), chair
• Public Safety Committee: Patrick Mullaney (R-Long Beach), chair
• Health & Social Services Committee: Rose Walker (R-Hicksville), chair
• Government Services & Operations Committee: Legis. John Giuffré (R-Stewart Manor), chair
• Planning, Development & the Environment Committee: Legis. Samantha Goetz (R- Locust Valley), chair
• Minority Affairs Committee: Legis. Kayla Knight (R-Wantagh), chair
• Economic & Community Development, Labor and Transportation Committee: Legis. James Kennedy (R-Massapequa), chair
• Towns, Villages & Cities Committee: Legis. Mazi Melesa Pilip (R-Great Neck), chair
• Veteran and Senior Affairs Committee: Legis. Scott Strauss (R-Mineola), chair
• Budget Review Committee: Legis. Thom McKevitt (R-East Meadow), chair

Legis. Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) was sworn in as presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature last week.

Lawmakers are set to convene next on Jan. 26.