Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz (R,C-Oyster Bay) held a press conference Sunday to address Long Island’s concerns about Gov. Hochul’s housing compact plan alongside Councilwoman Michelle Johnson of the Town of Oyster Bay, Mayor Conway of the Village of Upper Brookville and Urban Planning Consultant Paul Gratziano. Blumencranz said the governor’s plan to construct over 800,000 new homes across New York threatens environmental protection and local zoning control laws, challenges the authority of municipalities and promises to suffocate Long Islanders while changing their communities forever.

“Gov. Hochul’s housing compact fails to take the needs of Long Islanders and other New Yorkers into account,” said Blumencranz. “It is an intense development plan that refuses to heed the authority of local officials. This refusal to abide by local laws will inevitably carry environmental and financial consequences down the road on which taxpayer dollars should not be wasted. Not only that, the $250 million budget the governor promises will not even begin to cover the cost of infrastructure and sewer redesign and maintenance that is required for this housing plan to work. There is no question—the housing compact plan is not in Long Island’s best interest.”