Becker, Grasso face off in 6th L.D. race

If re-elected, Leg. Francis X. Becker (R-Lynbrook) said that he can see himself accomplishing a lot more in the next two to four years. “I have the ability to help people,” said Becker, a six-term incumbent. “I want to continue to do so.”

Vincent Grasso, the Democratic candidate running against him for the 6th District seat of the county Legislature, said that if elected, there are two issues he would tackle — the budget process and the way legislation is written.

“Right now, the county uses a supply approach,” Grasso said of the budget process. “It spends money without thinking of what it should accomplish, as opposed to knowing what it wants and determining how much it will take to get it done. We need a demand approach.”

In terms of the way the legislation is written, Grasso said he would implement a few policies that would make it more efficient. He said he would re-examine older laws to determine if they are still necessary, and measure how successful current laws are by grading their effectiveness. “How do we know if we are accomplishing anything with these laws?” Grasso said. “There is no reflection or grading process to see if it’s worked.”

Becker voted against the recently enacted energy tax, noting that this is “the worst time possible” to even consider it. He wants it repealed. “We’ll find ways to replace the money,” he said. Becker pointed out that property taxes are deductible for residents, while the energy tax is not.

“Contrary to what people think, 95 percent of the time Republicans and Democrats vote together — and unanimously.” He said that the public mostly hears only about the remaining five percent.

Becker said that he fought for villages to keep getting a portion of the county’s sale tax revenue. For example, in East Rockaway last year, the village did not receive its portion — about $28,000 — but it was reinstated for this year. “The villages don’t have that many sources of revenue, compared to the county.”