Suffolk Notebook: Legislators Push for Union Vote on Foley Deal

Suffolk County Legislators are urging the union representing John J. Foley Skilled Nursing Facility workers to reschedule a vote on whether to drop their lawsuit against the county to make way for a deal to privatize the facility, according to a report in Newsday.

The initial vote by members of the Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees was scheduled for April 9. However, it was cancelled after two legislators, John Kennedy Jr., R-Nesconest, and Kate Browning, WF-Shirley, failed to sign a contract agreeing to drop out of a lawsuit that seeks to block the sale of the Foley facility. Both legislators said any decision to drop the lawsuit would depend on union's vote. 

With no vote from the union, the possible $23 million sale of Foley nursing home to potential buyers Israel and Samuel Sherman remains in limbo.

Some union employees said there would not have been enough votes to pass the deal because 100 nurses agreed to vote against the measure. Union officials said the vote cannot be rescheduled until late next week, at the earliest.

Several Foley nursing home residents have expressed concern about their future, as the cancellation of the union's vote gives the county the go-ahead to continue closing down the facility. 

Read more on Newsday [subscription required] about Foley nursing home deal and its residents. 

Suffolk increases income cap for child care subsidy 

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced Monday that the county will be increasing the eligibility standards for receiving a child care subsidy to 125 percent of the State Income Standard. 

Bellone said he allotted an additional $3.5 million under the county's 2013 budget to address last year's child care subsidy cuts. This change will help provide child care subsidy for an additional 700 children. Suffolk currently provides subsidies to 3,626 children allowing them receive child care. 

Under the changes, a single parent with two children could earn up to $23,863 or a family of four could make up to $28,813 per year and be eligible to receive child care assistance. 

“By increasing eligibility standards for child care subsidies, Suffolk County leaders have given our regional economy a much needed boost. It will keep child care providers employed, allow parents to go back to work and make certain our children receive the care and attention they need," said Roger Clayman, executive director of the Long Island Federation of Labor. 

Suffolk County Department of Social Services has calculated that it will be able to sustain these new subsidy levels through at least December 2014.