Over the course of the last century, Long Island has undergone a dramatic transformation. Once the nation’s first suburb, it has now become one of the most densely populated areas as New York City expands eastward onto the glacial sand and rock strip that already contains its two most populous boroughs. However, the natural features that attracted people to Suffolk County, such as the beaches, clam shacks, and trout-filled streams, are now at risk due to a pressing issue. The aging septic tanks in the region’s single-family homes are causing significant problems. These tanks are releasing excessive amounts of nitrogen into the waterways, resulting in frequent toxic blue-green algae blooms that have devastating effects on the environment. Countless fish die each year and wash up on the beaches, exacerbating an already threatened water source. With the underground freshwater aquifer that supplies Long Island’s drinking water already contaminated with nitrogen, this issue poses serious risks.
The primary obstacle to resolving this problem is the cost of implementing advanced septic tank systems that effectively filter out nitrogen. These systems are significantly more expensive than traditional models, making it difficult for homeowners to invest in them, especially given the already high property taxes and housing costs in the area. In order to find a solution, Suffolk County sought state approval to hold a referendum that would raise funds for a county-administered program. This program would provide subsidies for installing advanced septic tanks and upgrading sewer systems in towns that have them. The county received approval in May and planned to ask voters in November to consider a sales tax increase of approximately 12 cents per $100, generating $56 million in the first year. This funding would allow the county to apply for additional matching funds from state and federal governments, potentially exceeding $1 billion.
However, the Republican majority in Suffolk County’s Legislature unexpectedly removed the measure from the November ballot. Critics argue that this move was a deliberate attempt to suppress Democratic voters in this off-year election. The Republicans justified their opposition by expressing disagreement over the allocation of funds. Under the proposed plan, only 25% of the fund would be designated for sewer projects, while the remaining 75% would go toward subsidizing septic tank installations for homeowners. Republicans argued for a larger portion of the funds to be allocated to sewers.
Critics believe that the opposition to the referendum is a political tactic to deter environmentally-conscious voters, who often vote for Democrats, from participating in the election. However, recent elections have shown that environmental initiatives do not necessarily inspire party-line voting. Nevertheless, the upcoming election is crucial, with almost all of the Legislature’s seats up for grabs. If the referendum is not included on the November ballot, the county will need to restart the process in the next legislative year. Additionally, the potential for securing matching funds from federal infrastructure laws may diminish if the referendum stalls.
The consequences of inaction would be borne primarily by workers, according to Ryan Stanton, the executive director of the AFL-CIO-affiliated Long Island Federation of Labor. While wealthy individuals may be unaffected by the lack of action, workers would face the brunt of the consequences, such as repairing overwhelmed sewage treatment plants and road damage caused by flooding. Workers would benefit from the construction jobs that the proposed sales tax would fund if the referendum passes, highlighting the importance of addressing the issue promptly.