Campaign Headquarters
1200 E Veterans Memorial Hwy #350, Hauppauge, NY 11788
Facebook Instagram Twitter

John Kennedy for Suffolk County

The North Shore Leader Endorses John Kennedy for Suffolk County Executive

John Kennedy recently picked up an endorsement as Suffolk County Executive from The North Shore Leader. The paper described Mr. Kennedy as “a decent, honorable public official” who will “bring ‘fiscal reality’ to Suffolk, and has a record of ethical service — first as a county legislator and for the past four years as County Comptroller.”

Read More

County and State GOP Officials Assail Radical, Left-Wing Agenda Passed into Law during State Legislative Session

Kennedy Cites No Cash Bail as Dangerous to Public Safety and Will Cost County an Estimated $12 Million

John Kennedy (standing behind podium) is joined by GOP elected officials during a press conference in Hauppauge on October 15.

John Kennedy joined in with state and county GOP legislators at a press conference on October 15 to assail the radical, left-wing agenda that was ratified by the Democrat-led state Senate during the state’s legislative session. He also decried how the unfunded mandate for no cash bail is not only dangerous to Suffolk County residents, but the county is expected to lose $12 million in revenues, putting yet more strain on the county’s precarious finances.

According to the Towson University Regional Economic Studies Institute, under the new law, those charged with the following crimes are released after being booked: misdemeanors and “non-violent” felonies; promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child; rape in the third degree; vehicular manslaughter; robbery and burglary in the third degree; illegal abortion; identity theft in the first degree; escape in the first and third degrees; sexual abuse and misconduct; criminal obstruction of breathing; stalking; bail jumping; criminal contempt (violating an order of protection); and desecration of a cemetery.

The Institute further found that the unfunded mandate will blow out the county’s 2019 Probation Budget. With a budget of more than $39.5 million, the county will have to pay for pre-trial services, which will increase costs by 34%.

“No more support for cash bail, where felony burglars are going to be put back on the street!” Mr. Kennedy said. “We’re not going to take it anymore.”

He added that if a Republican county executive and a GOP majority are elected in the state Senate, “we’re going to bring back what the citizens of this county deserve,” adding, “On November 5, we will prevail.”

 

Kennedy Continues His “Fiscal Reality Tour” in Riverhead

Says Suffolk’s Fiscal Crisis is Causing Residents to Flee

Fiscal Reality Tour
John Kennedy (center) speaks to attendees of the Riverhead Country Fair as part of his “Fiscal Reality Tour.” He is joined by (left to right) Suffolk County Legislative candidate Linda Kabot, Riverhead Town Supervisor Candidate Yvette Aguiar, Riverhead Town Councilman Tim Hubbard, Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy, Riverhead Town Assessor Candidate Meredith Lapinski, and Riverhead Town Assessor Mason Haas.

Suffolk County Executive John Kennedy was joined by local elected officials and GOP candidates in front of the Riverhead Republican Committee headquarters during the annual Country Fair on October 13 in the fourth stop of his “Fiscal Reality Tour” as part of his campaign to #SaveSuffolk. Mr. Kennedy explained that, since Steve Bellone took office seven years ago, people have been fleeing Suffolk by the thousands because of the high fees and taxes.

Mr. Kennedy explained that, contrary to claims made by the County Executive, taxpayers have been burdened by enormous tax and fee increases under Steve Bellone, while, at the same time, the County has experienced seven bond downgrades and a fiscal crisis whereby it barely meets its obligation week by week.

Mr. Bellone’s out-of-control spending has resulted in bloated payrolls and budgets. Despite the fact that the County’s workforce has been reduced by nearly 1,000 workers, payroll has increased by over $100 million. At the same time, the budget has risen from $2.7 billion to $3.1 billion — an increase of almost 15%.

Poor fiscal mismanagement has driven enormous tax and fee increases. The property tax levy has increased from $532,765,964 in 2012 to $652,108,097 in 2019. That is an increase of $119,342,129, meaning that homeowners have seen a property tax increase of 22.4% over that time.

In addition, Suffolk taxpayers have been hit with across-the-board fee increases. These include the tax map verification fee, mortgage recording fee, residential/commercial burglar alarm fee, red-light camera fee, shopping bag fee, pet grooming fee and Department of Motor Vehicles registration fee. In addition, Mr. Bellone has hiked county park use fees every year since 2015 for camping, fishing, hunting, parking, group events and recreational permits. This disproportionately affects working-class Suffolk residents, including first-time homebuyers and those who rely on parks for recreational opportunities. In total, the Bellone administration has raised taxes and fees to the tune of $200 million.

Also exacerbating Suffolk’s fiscal crisis is the reduction in population. The county’s overall population has shrunk by 16,396 in the past seven years, leaving fewer taxpayers to bear a higher tax burden. “We have people fleeing Suffolk in droves because of this fiscal disaster caused by Steve Bellone and his reckless tax-and-spend policies,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Mom and Dad are still here, but their children can’t afford to live here and their grandparents can’t afford to stay here. This exodus means current residents have to pay a greater share of taxes.”

Kennedy Gets Another Major Endorsement in His Bid for Suffolk County Executive

Latest Labor Union to Support Republican Candidate

The Utility Workers Union of America Local 393 has announced they have chosen to back John M. Kennedy as the next Suffolk County Executive. After undergoing a thorough screening process, Mr. Kennedy picked up the union’s support. The leadership cited his stance in support of union workers and the importance of keeping jobs in Suffolk in announcing their endorsement.

This announcement comes after Mr. Kennedy received endorsements from the Nassau Suffolk Building Trades Council, United Association of Plumbers Local 200, and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local One. The union’s objective is to protect, maintain, and advance the interests of its members, as granted by the UWUA. 

The Utility Workers Union of America, Local 393, represents over 350 production, maintenance, distribution, laboratory and clerical employees of the Suffolk County Water Authority.  

“The committee has made this selection based on its belief that, if you are to be elected, you would be the best choice to serve and protect the families of Suffolk County as well as standing up for organized labor and protecting the rights of all hard-working middle-class families that unions represent,” said Nicholas J. Caracappa, President, Utility Workers Union of America Local 393.

“I am very honored and humbled to receive this endorsement,” Mr. Kennedy said. “When our residents work, our economy works and vice versa. We do that by getting our financial house in order, restoring fiscal integrity and putting people back to work in good-paying jobs. I have supported — and will continue to support — the hardworking middle class who are the heart and soul of Suffolk’s workforce.”

 For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.

Shelter Island Reporter: County Exec Race Heating Up

The Shelter Island Reporter previewed the Suffolk County Executive race between John Kennedy and Steve Bellone. The paper cited the Bellone administration’s constant borrowing of money to cover the loss of sales tax revenues, increase of the county sales tax, an $833 million budget deficit and the seven bond downgrades the county received. “Steve Bellone has been a fiscal disaster for Suffolk County,” Mr. Kennedy stated on his Facebook page. “Under his tenure … Big Tax Bellone has raised taxes and fees by over $200 million to pay for his $3.11 billion budget. … As a result of fiscal mismanagement, Suffolk County has declared 7 fiscal emergencies and received 7 bond downgrades. Suffolk County is now issuing JUNK BONDS!”

Read More

John Kennedy Discusses NYS Comptroller’s Report on LI News Radio

John Kennedy appeared on Jay Oliver’s morning show on LI News Radio (103.9 FM) to talk about findings from New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s report that showed Suffolk County has been the most fiscally stressed county in the state for the second year in a row. Mr. Kennedy said that, because of the fiscal crisis created by Steve Bellone, people in Suffolk are paying more in taxes and, as a result, are leaving Suffolk because they can no longer afford to live here.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Suffolk Declared Most Fiscally Stressed County in the State for Second Straight Year

Comptroller’s Report Reveals County is on the Brink of Financial Disaster

A recent report from New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office revealed that, for the second year in a row, Suffolk County has been declared the most fiscally stressed county in the state, ahead of Nassau and Westchester Counties. John Kennedy, Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, said these findings reveal what was known all along: that Suffolk County is in a fiscal crisis.

The state Comptroller’s report showed that Suffolk County received a fiscal stress score of 76.7 (a score of 65 or above means “significant” fiscal stress. According to data from the report, not only did the total fund balance in the general fund show a negative balance over the past three years, that figure more than tripled from -$27,627,301 in 2016 to -$91,917,594. The report also showed that, from 2016 to 2018, expenditures from its combined funds outpaced revenues.

In addition, Suffolk received a fiscal stress score of 30.0 for its environmental indicators. This means that Suffolk is “susceptible” to environmental stress. Some of the more alarming statistics based on this score include, from 2017 to 2018, Suffolk’s population declined by a total of 1.28%, home values decreased by 12.52% and more than 17.5% of the population rely on state and federal aid just to live here.

For seven years, Steve Bellone’s policies have spelled disaster for Suffolk residents. He has incurred a debt of almost $900 million, added $200 million in new taxes and fees, raised the property tax levy by 22.4% and increased the budget by almost 15%. Meanwhile, Suffolk has declared seven fiscal emergencies, faced seven bond downgrades and saw more than 16,000 residents move out of the county.

“When a Democrat in the New York State Comptroller’s office says that Suffolk County under a Democrat county executive is under severe fiscal stress, that is saying something,” Mr. Kennedy says. “Enough is enough. We must end the tax-and-spend policies of Steve Bellone that have created this fiscal crisis and hurt Suffolk County taxpayers. I’m running for County Executive to clean up this mess and put Suffolk County back on the path to economic prosperity. The county’s finances are on the brink of disaster and I worry what effect an economic slowdown will cause.”

For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.

###

Kennedy Continues His “Fiscal Reality Tour” into Islip

Contrasts Town’s Aaa Bond Rating with County’s Junk Bond Status

John Kennedy (third from right) speaks to local supporters about Suffolk’s fiscal crisis during his “Fiscal Reality Tour” in Bay Shore on September 28. He is joined by (left to right) Alexis Weik, Islip Town Receiver of Taxes; Anthony Piccirillo, Candidate, Suffolk County’s 8th Legislative District, Tom Cilmi, Suffolk County Legislator; Maria Vidal, Suffolk County’s 9th Legislative District; and Steve Flotteron, Suffolk County Legislator.

Ronkonkoma, NY — On September 28, John M. Kennedy, Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, was joined by local elected officials and residents at a press conference at the Islip Town Republican Committee headquarters in Bay Shore, in the next stop of his “Fiscal Reality Tour” as part of his campaign to #SaveSuffolk.

Mr. Kennedy explained that, contrary to claims made by the County Executive, taxpayers have been burdened by enormous tax and fee increases under Steve Bellone, while, at the same time, the County has experienced seven bond downgrades and a fiscal crisis whereby it barely meets its obligation week by week.

Mr. Bellone’s out-of-control spending has resulted in bloated payrolls and budgets. Despite the fact that the County’s workforce has been reduced by nearly 1,000 workers, payroll has increased by over $100 million. At the same time, the budget has risen from $2.7 billion to $3.1 billion — an increase of almost 15%.

Poor fiscal management has driven enormous tax and fee increases. The property tax levy has increased from $532,765,964 in 2012 to $652,108,097 in 2019. That is an increase of $119,342,129, meaning that homeowners have seen a property tax increase of 22.4% over that time.

In addition, Suffolk taxpayers have been hit with across-the-board fee increases. These include the tax map verification fee, mortgage recording fee, residential/commercial burglar alarm fee, red-light camera fee, shopping bag fee, pet grooming fee and Department of Motor Vehicles registration fee. In addition, Mr. Bellone has hiked county park use fees every year since 2015 for camping, fishing, hunting, parking, group events and recreational permits. This disproportionately affects working-class Suffolk residents, including first-time homebuyers and those who rely on parks for recreational opportunities. In total, the Bellone administration has raised taxes and fees to the tune of $200 million.

During the press conference, Mr. Kennedy contrasted Islip’s fiscal situation with Suffolk County’s. As Town Supervisor, Angie Carpenter has been able to minimize Islip’s debt, resulting in a bond rating of Aaa for four consecutive years. But under Steve Bellone’s leadership, Suffolk’s debt has reached almost $900 billion, causing the county to drift into a fiscal crisis and having its bond rating downgraded to Baa2, a rating which is considered “junk.”

“I wish to commend Supervisor Carpenter and the Town Board members for constantly bringing its residents a budget that is fiscally responsible,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Because they have kept debt low, Islip’s credit rating has been stellar for the past four years, which is far more than I can say for Mr. Bellone, whose seven years of out-of-control spending has led Suffolk into a fiscal crisis.”

Also exacerbating Suffolk’s fiscal crisis is the population reduction under Steve Bellone. The county’s overall population has shrunk by 16,396 in the past seven years, leaving fewer taxpayers to bear a higher tax burden. Favorable Industrial Development Agency (IDA) benefits have further reduced the county’s tax base.

“When I took office, I inherited a budget deficit with a process that was lacking transparency,” Supervisor Carpenter said. “I have gotten Islip’s finances back in order as a result of direct oversight with monthly budget and revenue projections, increased efficiencies with major departmental consolidation, posting full budget documents on the Town’s website — all leading to a bond rating upgrade to Aaa, the highest a municipality can achieve, reaffirmed four times, saving taxpayer dollars.”

“We need John Kennedy because he understands the importance of a high bond rating,” said Steve Flotteron, Suffolk County Legislator. “It’s very important to have a high bond rating because it costs you less money to borrow. Bellone has more than doubled our debt. Right now, we are in a sinking ship as he incurs more debt and he’s lowering our bond rating, which is costing us more money to borrow to cover our debt. It’s paying your credit card to use your credit card to pay your mortgage. That’s not how to run your household and it’s not the way to run the county.”

“The fiscal reality in Suffolk County is dismal, thanks to the mismanagement of County Executive Steve Bellone and his administration,” said Tom Cilmi, Suffolk County Legislator. “He has squandered millions of dollars in wasteful spending, and we need somebody to put the county back on the right track. That somebody is John Kennedy.”

For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.

###

John M. Kennedy Comments on Bellone’s New Campaign Ad

Mr. Bellone’s new campaign commercial would be comical if it wasn’t so sad. The two-and-a-half minute production presents a rosy picture of Steve Bellone as a corruption busting public servant, but make no mention of the numerous scandals involving his administration, including those involving his former chief of police, the former assistant DA in charge of Suffolk’s Government Corruption Bureau and the head of the IT department.

Even more shameful, is that he makes no mention of the fiscal calamity he has created in Suffolk County. During his nearly eight years in office, Suffolk County taxpayers have faced the brunt of his fiscal mismanagement, with $200 million in tax and fee increases, a 22.4% property tax increase, a bloated budget of over $3 billion, including over $1 billion in payroll, $2 billion in debt, seven bond downgrades, seven fiscal emergencies, and nearly 17,000 fewer county residents.

If Steve was serious about addressing corruption in Suffolk County, he’d start by addressing the serious fiscal crisis we are facing, rather than shovelin’ taxpayers a line of B.S. If you want to learn the truth about Steve Bellone’s record, visit ShovelingSteve.com.”

Kennedy Continues His “Fiscal Reality Tour” into Brookhaven

Kennedy Continues His “Fiscal Reality Tour” into Brookhaven

Contrasts Town’s Superior Bond Rating to Suffolk’s “Junk Bond” Status

Ronkonkoma, NY — On September 12, John M. Kennedy, Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, was joined by local elected officials and residents at a press conference at Armed Forces Plaza in Patchogue, announcing the continuation of his “Fiscal Reality Tour” as part of his campaign to #SaveSuffolk.

Mr. Kennedy explained that, contrary to claims made by the County Executive, taxpayers have been burdened by enormous tax and fee increases under Steve Bellone, while, at the same time, the County has experienced seven bond downgrades and a fiscal crisis whereby it barely meets its obligation week by week.

Mr. Bellone’s out-of-control spending has resulted in bloated payrolls and budgets. Despite the fact that the County’s workforce has been reduced by nearly 1,000 workers, payroll has increased by over $100 million. At the same time, the budget has risen from $2.7 billion to $3.1 billion — an increase of almost 15%.

Poor fiscal management has driven enormous tax and fee increases. The property tax levy has increased from $532,765,964 in 2012 to $652,108,097 in 2019. That is an increase of $119,342,129, meaning that homeowners have seen a property tax increase of 22.4% over that time.

In addition, Suffolk taxpayers have been hit with across-the-board fee increases. These include the tax map verification fee, mortgage recording fee, residential/commercial burglar alarm fee, red-light camera fee, shopping bag fee, pet grooming fee and Department of Motor Vehicles registration fee. In addition, Mr. Bellone has hiked county park use fees every year since 2015 for camping, fishing, hunting, parking, group events and recreational permits. This disproportionately affects working-class Suffolk residents, including first-time homebuyers and those who rely on parks for recreational opportunities. In total, the Bellone administration has raised taxes and fees to the tune of $200 million.

Mr. Kennedy also contrasted the Town of Brookhaven’s financial performance with that of Suffolk County’s. Moody’s Investor Services recently upgraded the town’s credit rating to AAA, its highest rating; meanwhile, Suffolk’s bond rating has been rated Baa2 (a rating considered “junk”). Moody’s credited Brookhaven with its “continued strong financial management,” while Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has engaged in out-of-control spending for the past seven years, resulting in seven bond downgrades. “We are issuing junk bonds, and, each payroll period, we don’t know if we’ll be able to pay our bills,” Mr. Kennedy said. “We’ve had to declare a fiscal emergency seven times. It’s outrageous and it has to end.”

As an example of Brookhaven’s responsible fiscal management, the town has set aside a fund for maintaining the town’s landfill and has a plan in place to minimize lost revenues. Mr. Bellone, on the other hand, has raided the water fund to the tune of millions of dollars.

“I want to congratulate Supervisor Romaine for achieving the highest bond rating possible for any municipality,” Mr. Kennedy said. “Unlike Mr. Bellone — who has spent taxpayer money wildly, and had to raise taxes, implement fees and raid the water fund to plug budget deficits — Mr. Romaine has held the line on taxes and spending, making Brookhaven a more affordable place to live for its residents. If Suffolk County operated like this, it would not have seen seven bond downgrades, seven fiscal emergencies and over 16,000 people fleeing the county.”

Also exacerbating Suffolk’s fiscal crisis is the reduction in population. The county’s overall population has shrunk by 16,396 in the past seven years, leaving fewer taxpayers to bear a higher tax burden. Favorable Industrial Development Agency (IDA) benefits have further reduced the county’s tax base.

“When I decided to run for New York State Assembly, it was to try to help the younger generations, like my daughter, from moving out of state,” said Joe DeStefano, New York State Assemblyman. “Due to the current high costs of living on Long Island, especially Suffolk County, my daughter and her family were forced to move out of New York to seek a more affordable life. If nothing changes, at the rate we are going here in Suffolk County, I predict more and more families will be broken up like mine has.”

“Steve Bellone spent most of 2018 traveling around the state, campaigning for New York State Democrats, to give total control of the state to one party, the Democrats, and one part of the state, New York City,” said Andrew Garbarino, New York State Assemblyman. “Now, all of the state suffers. Record numbers of people are leaving Suffolk County and New York State because of the radical policies from Albany and the terrible fiscal condition of Suffolk County.”

For more information, visit www.johnkennedyforsuffolk.com or follow #SaveSuffolk.

CAPTION:

John Kennedy (second from right), Candidate, Suffolk County Executive, poses with charts explaining Steve Bellone’s fee increases and Suffolk’s fiscal crisis during his “Fiscal Reality Tour” in Patchogue on September 12. He is joined by (left to right) Dominick Thorne, Candidate, Suffolk County Legislature 7th District; Joe DeStefano, New York State Assemblyman, and Ed Romaine, Supervisor, Town of Brookhaven.

### 

* Photo is attached.

#SaveSuffolk

Skip to content