Nassau County New Fair Housing Legislation Unanimously Passes Minority Affairs and Rules Committees of the Nassau County Legislature

July 24, 2006 was an impressive and historic day for ERASE Racism and Nassau County. Nassau County Legislature's Minority Affairs Committee held a three hour public hearing into the new fair housing legislation, which was a product of a year's collaboration between ERASE Racism's legislative team and the Nassau County Executive's Office. The results were an overwhelming bipartisan six to zero votes in favor of the legislation. Later the same evening, the legislation made it uncontested through Rules Committee! The Legislation is due to go before the full the Nassau County Legislature on August 2, 2006. ERASE Racism hopes that the much anticipated vote will result in passage of the legislation. A green light from Nassau County Legislature will mean that the new law will be effective January 1, 2007!

Over 70 people were present at the Minority Affairs Committee public hearing. The crowd consisted of an overwhelming cross-section of advocates and non-profit organizations, along with county officials and representatives from the business community. At one point during her testimony, Ms. Amy Hagedorn, Commissioner for the Nassau County Planning Commission and President of Sustainable Long Island, asked that all board members and staff that work for non-profits stand. Almost the entire audience was on its feet - - a truly awe inspiring sight.

The strong support the legislation received from the legislators was a result of the compelling testimony given by the experts ERASE Racism and the County encouraged to come and be heard. The testimony given by each individual was persuasive and added weight to the dire need for strong fair housing laws and a local enforcement system that truly acts as a deterrent to potential illegal acts. The list of experts that spoke included:

Written testimony was also submitted by Howard Glickstein, former Dean of Touro Law School and one of the drafters of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and Prof. John Logan, professor of Sociology at Brown University and former Director of the Lewis Mumford Center.

After the vote, Legislator David Mejias, the chair of the Minority Affairs Committee warmly praised the ERASE Racism legislative team and commented on the diversity, expertise and broad range of experience that the speakers brought to their presentations in favor of the legislation. Legislator Dunne also expressed words of encouragement and support to Ms. Gross for all of ERASE Racism's efforts once the committee session had ceased.

ERASE Racism thanks all of you who came out to the Minority Affairs Committee public hearing in support of the fair housing legislation. We will keep you posted on all new developments! For more information, you can download from our website: the full Nassau County Legislation; the Briefing Document; Nassau County's Press Release; and some of the testimony presented by experts at the July 24th hearing. You can also call Cathryn Harris with any further questions at (516) 921-4863.