Lights out for the home energy tax?

A repeal of Nassau County’s home energy tax was a promise made by most Republicans campaigning for what became a successful Election Day for the GOP, as it won control of the county’s legislative and executive branches.

But three weeks before Republicans officially take power, members of the Legislature's outgoing Democratic majority proposed their own repeal of the tax.

On Dec. 7, the Finance and Rules committees passed a bill to scrap the tax. The measure requires approval by the full Legislature, which will rule on it at its next session on Monday.

Republican legislators like John Ciotti, of North Valley Stream, questioned Democrats’ motives. The home energy tax was initially passed in June by a vote of 10-9, with the Democratic majority voting in favor and the Republicans opposing the measure.

“This is disingenuous,” Ciotti said. “It’s an attempt to scoop the philosophy and issues we’ve been discussing for the past three months.” But before the vote was taken, Ciotti said, “We intend to vote yes for one simple reason: It’s the right thing to do.”

The 2.5 percent home energy tax was part of a multi-pronged approach by County Executive Tom Suozzi to help close a major budget gap in Nassau County.

David Mejias (D-Farmingdale), who lost his re-election bid to Republican Joe Belisi, said the bill was a way to ensure that the GOP carries through on a promise. “I think we should give the people what they voted for and hold the politicians to their promises,” Mejias said.

County Executive-Elect Ed Mangano, a Republican from Bethpage who campaigned against the energy tax, told reporters on Monday afternoon, hours before the committee vote, that a repeal was a promise that would be kept.

“We are reviewing their bill,” Mangano said of the Democrats’ proposal. “It was absolutely a cornerstone of our campaign and our platform. Clearly the people in Nassau County cannot afford [the tax].”