Mineola, NY - July 7, 2015 - Upon receipt of a Nassau County legislator’s constituent mailing containing political content that would be banned under rules she proposed in April, Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas once again renewed her call on the County Legislature to pass legislation banning public officials from sending self-promotional political mail at taxpayer expense.
Acting DA Singas wrote to the County Legislature in April calling for clear and comprehensive rules against political content in government mail, similar to those established by the Congressional Franking Commission. Though members of the Minority in the County Legislature proposed legislation, and County Executive Edward Mangano voiced support for Singas’ proposals, the Legislature’s majority has failed to take action.
A constituent recently alerted the DA’s Office to a mailing by Legislator Dennis Dunne that, Acting DA Singas wrote in a new letter to the Legislature yesterday, “illustrates exactly why the legislation I proposed is so important.”
“Legislator Dunne’s mailing looks like a political campaign flyer, but taxpayers foot the bill,” Acting DA Singas wrote. “Only a small fraction of the mailing’s content serves any legitimate government purpose, and the remainder is pure political self-promotion. This is a shameful waste of taxpayer dollars. Under current law, this abuse is not illegal, but it should be. Using public money to pay for nakedly self-serving mailings should be a crime.”
“I call on the Legislature to delay no longer,” Acting DA Singas added.
Yesterday’s letter, Legislator Dunne’s mail piece, and Acting DA Singas’ April letter are attached.