More than 1.3 million Long Islanders could receive between $300 and $500 in state rebate checks at the end of the year and see substantial tax savings if two proposals from the governor are approved. Critics, however, argue that the measures merely paper over significant affordability issues throughout Nassau and Suffolk. Victor Ocasio reports in NEWSDAY that among the line items in New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget is an “inflation refund” that would give $3 billion in direct payments to about 8.6 million state residents, including more than a million on Long Island, the state said. Single taxpayers who make up to $150,000 per year would receive $300, and joint filers making up to $300,000 annually would get $500 total.
Separate from the rebate is an expansion of the Empire State Child Credit, which would give parents up to $1,000 in refundable tax credits for each child younger than 4, and up to $500 for families with children ages 4 to 16.
If approved, the credit's expansion would be phased in over two years, meaning Long Island parents with children younger than 4 would qualify for the savings when filing their taxes in 2026. Parents of children ages 4 to 16 would qualify the following year, the state said.
An estimated 215,000 households on Long Island, or roughly 355,000 children, would benefit from the expansion of the child tax credit, the governor’s office said earlier this month.
The State Legislature will review and potentially make changes to Hochul's proposed budget. A budget deal must be reached by April 1.
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Twenty-five years ago, when current Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger first served on the Village Board, as a trustee, he remembers talk about the need to replace the slate roof at the Southampton Arts Center, the 9,930-square-foot cultural institution on Jobs Lane that is owned by the Village of Southampton. Even a quarter of a century ago, it was evident that it was near the end of its lifespan. Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that now thanks to a recent half-million-dollar investment by the current board, the Southampton Arts Center is finally getting a new roof. Approximately $500,000 was set aside in the capital budget last year to replace the slate roof, and recently, the materials arrived from a company in Vermont, allowing workers to get the project underway. Mayor Manger said yesterday that the project would likely be complete in a few weeks. It will be a welcome relief for those who work at and visit the arts center regularly. In recent months, the roof had been leaking, requiring buckets to be set up inside to catch the water on rainy days.
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Bridgehampton students in grades two through five are lacing up their skates again this winter thanks to the generosity of their community. As reported on 27east.com, through donations of ice time, skates and helmets, students take part in ice skating lessons at the Buckskill Winter Club in East Hampton during the months of January and February. For many years, Douglas and Katheryn DeGroot’s continued support has made this opportunity possible for Bridgehampton students, offering them a unique experience outside the classroom. With the help of physical education teacher Steve Meyers, students learn the fundamentals of ice skating, build confidence, and stay active throughout the winter months.
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The Ladies Village Improvement Society of East Hampton is marking its 130th anniversary this year and, in a presentation to the East Hampton Village Board last Friday, LVIS announced a 2025 community programs budget of slightly more than $785,000. Christopher Walsh reports on 27east.com that this includes beautifying and preserving the village’s landscape through its more than 30 committees devoted to matters such as trees, greens and grounds, landmarks and the Nature Trail. The LVIS also awards scholarships to...
