Excited and optimistic was the sentiment expressed by local officials as President Donald Trump retakes the White House and ushers out a Biden administration they believe has been a disaster.
“Trump ran on common sense solutions to clean up the mess Biden left here at home and abroad. I’m confident he will take this country in a better direction,” said Senator Dean Murray. “He’s added Suffolk’s own Lee Zeldin to his cabinet, and that is great news for Long Island.”
As head of the Environmental Protection Agency, the local reps believe Zeldin will address issues that have been nagging the region for years. “Living on an island, it’s all about the environment,” noted County Executive Ed Romaine. “We need money for sewers and drinking water protection and to get rid of the smoke-belching diesel trains of the Long Island Rail Road by electrifying the lines.”
Romaine pointed to saving Plum Island from commercial development as an issue Zeldin can hold sway over, as well as dredging Montauk Harbor, home of the state’s largest fishing fleet. “The catch is going to other states, and that’s hurting us economically, especially if the feds change the quotas because of decreased activity,” Romaine said. He would also like to see the federal government stop Connecticut from dumping dredge spoils in the Long Island Sound.
The County Executive echoed the concern of residents living in high-tax New York over SALT, the deduction that prevented double taxation. “People should not have to pay taxes with money they’ve already been taxed on,” Romaine said, referring to the State and Local Tax issue. “The SALT deduction has to be restored.”
Senator Mario Mattera, the ranking member of the state’s Energy and Telecommunications Committee, said he appreciates the incoming president’s pushback on the Green New Deal. “The plan by the Democrats to ban fossil fuels and force us to go all-electric won't work. I know President Trump sees this and will help prevent this disaster,” the Senator said, expressing excitement over the prospects of the new administration. “It’s obvious to everyone that our country has to move in an entirely different direction. The past four years have been painful, and I have faith that the president will make America great again.”
“Good riddance,” said Assemblyman Joe DeStefano on the departure of Biden and his vice president, Kamala Harris, who failed miserably in her attempt to succeed him. “Trump now has to close Biden’s open borders and get rid of the gang members, drug dealers, and terrorists he let in. If anyone can do it, it's Donald Trump. He’s coming back with a lot more knowledge and experience than the first time, and has the vast majority of the country behind him. This is a critical moment in the history of America, and I’m sure he’s up to the challenge.”
DeStefano focused on the fentanyl Biden let flow over the border. “These deadly drugs are killing people in our communities in record numbers and Biden didn’t do anything about it. China and the Mexican cartels are making a fortune from this misery, and he let it happen. Trump promised to put his foot down. God bless him,” DeStefano said.
“It is certainly a great day for our country, a great day for our nation's police, and a great day for bringing back public safety,” said Lou Civello, president of the Suffolk PBA. “The president has a lot of levers he can pull to assist us in our mission to keep the public safe. He can restore the partnership between federal and local law enforcement. He can provide the tools that we need to combat violent gangs such as Tren de Aragua and MS-13. He can assist us with hiring more police officers,” Civello pointed out.
Civello shared the optimism of Long Island leaders that the 47th President’s pledge to deport the illegal immigrants brought in under Biden will make New York safer. “We need a robust and full force enforcement of our immigration policies where people who entered our country illegally, and are here flouting our laws and committing crimes, are deported,” he said, adding that he would appreciate Trump’s support of a “Police Officer’s Bill of Rights that would restore the confidence in law enforcement officers that if they do their job, they are not going to be unjustly targeted.”
“This is an exciting time for America,” said Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio. “President Trump is promising a Golden Age, and I believe he can make it happen. Our country has everything it needs to prosper and improve the lives of all its citizens; we just need the right leadership. The President had a very successful first term and learned a lot about the ways of Washington and the media and the deep state. With his knowledge and experience, l have great hope for his second term.”
“The inauguration of a new administration is the dawn of a new era for America,” exclaimed Dan Panico, Brookhaven Town Supervisor. “Our new President has the almost unique perspective of having been the President before but having his terms come non-consecutively. That perspective should give him a greater ability to chart a prosperous course for America while also being mindful of the need to strike a unifying message that our country so sorely needs. As President Lincoln said, ‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.’ It is incumbent on all of us to work to mend the division in this country and never lose sight of the fact that we are all Americans.”
“Everybody feels the excitement of having President Trump back in office,” Senator Mattera concluded. “We’re going to have a president that will get things done for our benefit. We’re going to be safer and be more respected in foreign affairs. He’s going to stop the wars and get the economy back on track with lower inflation. It really does feel like a new day dawning in America.”