Romaine's fight for state transportation dollars

Daily Point

Suffolk County exec protests omissions from TIP list, won't rule out vetoing all projects

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine angrily told The Point he is prepared "do what it takes" to make sure Long Island — and especially Suffolk — gets the transportation funding it deserves as part of the so-called Transportation Improvement Program, or TIP, a five-year project list that is the basis for future state and federal funding.

Romaine confirmed what The Point previously reported — that projects of regional significance, including the Oakdale Merge, Long Island Rail Road electrification, improvements on the Northern State and Southern State parkways, and other items were left off the TIP list that was approved by the Nassau/Suffolk Transportation Coordinating Committee, a division of the statewide council that has ultimate say, last month.

"To exclude us from major projects like these … is nothing short of a declaration of war on Long Island’s transportation and Long Island’s construction workers and unions and on Long Island’s future," Romaine said in an interview late Tuesday. "They are looking to veto our future."

Romaine noted that he used the word "veto" purposefully. That’s because the final TIP list is expected to come before the full New York Metropolitan Transportation Council for a vote in early September. And, according to NYMTC’s guidelines, a vote to approve the TIP must be "by consensus of members" — defined as "unanimity of affected parties."

Among those members are the county executives of Nassau and Suffolk counties. That means Romaine could have veto power over the list if it doesn’t include the projects he wants. NYMTC officials in an interview Wednesday confirmed that county executives do have veto power over the full TIP, but noted that doing so would have repercussions for all of the transportation funding.

"I don’t want to hurt my neighboring counties," Romaine said. "But if I can exercise a veto, I will exercise a veto, unless or until this council comes to its senses and decides that Long Island is a significant part of New York State and that it’s essential to support transportation projects that are going to advance our future."

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who is listed as NYMTC co-chair on the council’s website, did not directly answer The Point’s query as to whether he, too, would be willing to veto the TIP.

"The State and the MTA consistently shortchange Long Island, specifically on capital projects and the repair and maintenance of our train stations," Blakeman said in a statement.

NYMTC officials told The Point the list has been available since June 2 and that a public comment period had been open from June 2 until July 1. But Romaine said he was only made aware of the list and its omissions last week.

The officials noted that the list includes 376 Long Island projects, involving $4.2 billion of funds. They added that attempting to change the list now would be difficult, since the TIP is supposed to be finalized before the end of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30. They also noted that there are circumstances in which projects can be added to the TIP even after its approval — but only if funding can be identified.

"I welcome a conversation with the county executive," Adam Levine, NYMTC’s executive director, said. "But because of the deadlines we’re facing right now, it’s in everyone’s best interest to approve the documents that are in front of us and then we will work with these county executives to realize some of the projects in Suffolk County and Nassau County … We see value in these projects too, but getting something changed at this point in the process, after it’s already been approved by both of their representatives … it’d be nearly impossible to do that in the time we’ve got."

Romaine, who said he plans to hold a news conference later this month to call further attention to the issue, called the list "a slap in the face to everyone on Long Island," saying it would set the region back in terms of jobs, the broader economy and transportation itself "by years."

Romaine noted that efforts to establish Long Island’s own metropolitan planning organization failed earlier this year and wondered aloud whether the lack of big regional projects on the just-released five-year list was in part because of those efforts.

"I am prepared to do whatever I can to reverse this decision," he said. "I feel stronger than I did before that we need our own transportation council."

But Levine said NYMTC understands and attempts to meet Long Island’s needs.

"We advocate for Long Island too," he said. "That is part of our reason for being."

But he also noted that everyone across the council’s membership is always looking for more funding.

"There are always more needs than there are dollars," he said. "We’re here to help everybody get as much money as they can and balance those needs."

Romaine, however, had some advice for the other transportation funding decision makers.

"Drive this Island at 5 p.m. and tell me how it is on the Oakdale Merge, tell me what it’s like on the Long Island Expressway, or take the train and tell me what it’s like not to have electrified rail," Romaine said.

— Randi F. Marshall randi.marshall@newsday.com

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Final Point

Dishing up tasty food — and political tidbits

Long Island politicos love a good meal and frequent various eateries and watering holes for fine dining and insider chatter. And Bellport’s Porters on the Lane is the place to be for Brookhaven Town Republicans.

Campaign financial disclosures to the New York State Board of Elections show electeds and candidates spent almost $380,000 over the years at the "cozy, quaint restaurant and bar in the heart of Bellport village," as the spot is described on Porters' website.

The Suffolk GOP, through various committees, spent $153,591.90 since 2009 at the restaurant, which boasts a menu of bacon-wrapped meat loaf, Asian Chilean sea bass, burgers, white truffle ravioli and more — in addition to serving up a side of political gossip.

The Committee to Elect a Republican Majority spent $56,442.03 at Porters. Republican Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine’s filings total $39,742.54 in 13 visits. Republican Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico’s campaign has spent $23,747.33. Suffolk Legislators Jim Mazzarella and Dominick Thorne, both Republicans, spent $22,952.24 and $12,517.60, respectively. Republican Brookhaven Town Clerk Kevin LaValle’s campaign spent $9,886.77 while Brookhaven Councilman Neil Foley, a Republican, spent $11,660. And the BrookHampton Conservative Committee spent $15,023.70.

Why are so many local Republican officials drawn to Porters? The incentive may be more than just delicious food. John Giannott, who is listed on the New York Department of State’s website as the CEO of Porters, is the Suffolk County Parks commissioner and chair of Suffolk OTB. He also ran unsuccessfully for a legislative seat in 2011, losing by just 166 votes.

Just once did Democratic campaigns report spending money at Porters — in December 2023 with a $1,443.10 tab for meals. Maybe they overheard their Republican colleagues brag about how good the food is.

— Mark Nolan mark.nolan@newsday.com

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