David Cruz
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davidmcruz.bsky.social
David Cruz
@davidmcruz.bsky.social
140 followers 12 following 62 posts
Deputy Politics Editor - Newsday | Ran politics
@nydailynews + @WNYC | @NorwoodNews (EIC) | @BronxTimes |
@WCBS880 | @News12BX| President of NY Press Club
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davidmcruz.bsky.social
An enclave on Long Island is about to get a $45 million upgrade to its sewer infrastructure, all in the name of protecting a nearby waterway.

Joe Werkmeister has the details in @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Oakdale residents to vote on near $44M sewer expansion project next week
The project topped a priority list recently completed by a Suffolk advisory group.
www.newsday.com
December 3, 2025 at 12:33 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Zohran Mamdani's mayoral win boosted the political potency of Asian Americans.

Candice Ferrette digs into how that might play out in next year's midterms on Long Island.

via @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Asian Americans voters are becoming a rising political force. Will they matter in next year's midterms?
Here are the issues driving Asian Americans to vote.
www.newsday.com
December 2, 2025 at 12:24 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is thinking about running for governor after notching a big re-election win.

So what's standing in his way?

Candice Ferrette lays it out via @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Can Bruce Blakeman parlay his reelection victory for a possible shot at NY governor?
Several obstacles stand in Blakeman's potential plan for a gubernatorial run.
www.newsday.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:21 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
The GOP maintained its political dominance in Nassau County.

But how?

Candice Ferrette pored through the numbers to bring you this eye-opening analysis via Newsday Media Group.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...

#politics #LongIsland #politicalnews #localpolitics
Long Island election results show unaffiliated voters drove GOP victories in Nassau
"Whatever the Republicans were selling, the independent voters were buying," said Larry Levy, of Hofstra's National Center for Suburban Studies.
www.newsday.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:20 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Hot story from @candiceferrette on some political coordination happening inside the legislative chambers that’s causing a stir.

Via @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Blakeman employee uses work email inviting colleagues to assail Seth Koslow
Blakeman and Koslow are both running for Nassau County Executive.
www.newsday.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
The race for the chief executive spot in Long Island's Nassau County has pitted incumbent Bruce Blakeman against relative newcomer Seth Koslow.

@baharostadan.bsky.social has the story for @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Blakeman and Koslow vie for Nassau County Executive seat, where crime and immigration emerge as core themes
Nassau County Legislator Seth Koslow, a Democrat, is running to unseat Bruce Blakeman.
www.newsday.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:35 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Suffolk County loves its aquifer, its freshwater bank that supplies drinkable water to millions of Long Islanders. It's a reason why lawmakers find new ways to keep it from getting polluted.

Joe Werkmeister has the story on the latest push to protect it.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Suffolk OKs $1.5M study of 5 waterways in new push to protect aquifer
The project was included in the county's 2025 capital budget and additional funding is included in the 2026-28 capital budget.
www.newsday.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:38 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
NY keeps a public list of delinquent taxpayers, some owing millions of dollars in tax debt.

The #1 offender, per list, is in Nassau County.

@baharostadan.bsky.social has the story for @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Former Nassau real estate mogul is NY's top 'delinquent taxpayer'; $48M in debt
Adam Hochfelder, arrested several times for stealing money from family and friends, owes the most of unpaid income taxes of anyone in the state.
www.newsday.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:45 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
A candidate for a Nassau County Legislature seat has swapped her Massapequa home with a walk-up apartment in Farmingdale that government entities can't decide whether it's even a legit unit.

Candice Ferrette hit the pavement for this story in @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Nassau legislature candidate Jennifer Gallub-Pravato claims residency in Farmingdale walk-up, but Massapequa home not for sale
Candidates for office must live in the district they seek to represent.
www.newsday.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:22 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
The only county-wide election in Suffolk is coming in the form of a ballot question.

This one has MAJOR implications to the county's elections in the future.

Joe Werkmeister put together this nifty FAQ via @newsday.bsky.social.

#SuffolkCounty

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
What to know about Suffolk's ballot question over extending the length of legislative terms
If voters approve the referendum, candidates for the legislature in 2026 would be vying for four-year terms.
www.newsday.com
September 8, 2025 at 3:31 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Is Nassau bringing back a program that allows drivers to pay outstanding tickets at a reduced price?

The Comptroller's office seems to think so.

But the legislature? They don't even have it calendared.

By @baharostadan.bsky.social via @newsday.bsky.social.
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Nassau's comptroller says a ticket amnesty program is primed to return. Legislature says it's not up for a vote.
The program last existed in 2016, recouping more than half a million dollars.
www.newsday.com
September 5, 2025 at 11:19 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
ICE has arrested about 1600 people with criminal records on Long Island under @realDonaldTrump so far this year.

But immigrants w. no priors are getting rounded up too, and ICE won't say how many.

@BaharOstadan with the story via @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
ICE arrested on Long Island over 1,600 people with prior convictions under Trump's second term so far, agency says
The arrests, according to ICE, include those sought by law enforcement agencies outside of the U.S.
www.newsday.com
August 8, 2025 at 11:20 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
🐟 Suffolk lawmakers are eyeing ways to save the fishing industry from overdevelopment.

“For us to survive and thrive, we absolutely need these working waterfront spaces,” one oysterman said.

Joe Werkmeister with the story via @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Suffolk lawmakers renew effort to preserve county's fishing industry through proposed $9.5M program
The proposed volunteer incentive program mirrors the county's decades-old farmland preservation program by allowing property owners.
www.newsday.com
August 7, 2025 at 11:46 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Candice Ferrette obtained a trove of documents showing that the once CEO of NUMC and former executives spent thousands of dollars on flights, hotels and other expenses-- all while the hospital was swimming in debt.

Check out her deep dive in @newsday.bsky.social. 🦀

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Former top NUMC executives spent thousands on expenses, including lobster dinner, as hospital stood deep in the red, reports show
The safety-net hospital's parent company is $1.4 billion in debt.
www.newsday.com
July 31, 2025 at 11:53 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Deleted this post because it contained inaccurate information. Will update.
July 31, 2025 at 11:51 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
#SuffolkCounty looks to stiffen fines for shady home improvement contractors marked for its "Wall of Shame" registry.

Failure to register upon conviction can cost contractors $10,000.

Joe Werkmeister with the story via @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Suffolk seeks to stiffen penalties for unlicensed contractors in its 'Wall of Shame' registry
Legis. James Mazzarella (R-Moriches) said the legislation aims "to put more teeth" in the county code.
www.newsday.com
July 30, 2025 at 11:31 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Candice Ferrette obtained a trove of documents showing that the once CEO of NUMC spent thousands of dollars on flights, hotels and even a lobster dinner -- all while the hospital was swimming in debt.

Check out her deep dive in @newsday.bsky.social.🦀

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Former top NUMC executives spent thousands on expenses, including lobster dinner, as hospital stood deep in the red, reports show
The safety-net hospital's parent company is $1.4 billion in debt.
www.newsday.com
July 29, 2025 at 11:30 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is running circles around Democratic challenger Seth Koslow for the Nassau County Executive race.

Koslow is pulling in more donors.

@candiceferrette with the story via @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Bruce Blakeman pulls in nearly $2M in campaign funds so far this year in Nassau County Executive race as Seth Koslow trails, filings show
Blakeman has received donations for as high as $50,000.
www.newsday.com
July 17, 2025 at 8:07 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
.@newsday.bsky.social reporter Robert Brodsky w. a fantastic on-the-ground piece outlining the consequences of suspending the TPS program: a shortage of nursing home workers.

One official says this "will worsen the existing shortages of health care personnel"

www.newsday.com/news/health/...
Immigration crackdown could lead to worker shortages at elder care facilities on Long Island, advocates say
Workers with Temporary Protected Status are receiving deportation letters, which could affect already understaffed nursing homes and assisted living communities, advocates said.
www.newsday.com
July 17, 2025 at 11:50 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
💰The case involving red-light camera ticket fees in Nassau County is in the stages of being appealed, per county officials.

A lower court found the *$400M* collected was illegal. Nassau disagrees.

@baharostadan.bsky.social has the story for @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Nassau plans to fight red-light camera ticket court ruling that deemed over $400M in fees illegal, county officials say
Nassau lawmakers voted Monday to spend $2.5 million on private law firms to fight the case.
www.newsday.com
July 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
📰 Nassau County Exec Bruce Blakeman went around the legislature to give his political ally work as an advisor.

Not illegal, but at least one good government group says hold up.

Payton Guion + @baharostadan.bsky.social w. the story for @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Blakeman hired ex-congressman Peter King to serve as $200G confidential legal adviser
Nassau hired Peter King to provide counsel on counterterrorism and homeland security without legislative approval or competitive bidding.
www.newsday.com
July 14, 2025 at 1:06 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
*NEW*: @NassauExec signed an executive order allowing Nassau police to wear face masks during specific investigations.

The practice mirrors what ICE agents are doing when effecting arrests.

@johnasbury.bsky.social has the story for @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Blakeman to allow Nassau police to wear face masks for 'specific investigations,' replicating ICE practice
He signed the order citing protesters targeting police or ICE agents wearing masks.
www.newsday.com
July 11, 2025 at 5:22 PM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Nassau County's upgraded partnership with ICE has resulted in more than 1400 immigrants sent to an East Meadow jail in the last 5 months.

Last year that number was zero.

@baharostadan.bsky.social has the details via @newsday.bsky.social.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
ICE held more than 1,400 people in East Meadow jail in last 5 months under agreement with Nassau
County Executive Bruce Blakeman is allowing ICE to use its jail facilities.
www.newsday.com
July 10, 2025 at 11:39 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Nassau and Suffolk county pays top dollar for some jobs across its government.

We spent a few weeks poring through the numbers and they were astonishing.

www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Nearly twice as many Nassau employees made more than $300G in 2024, Newsday analysis finds
Long Island leads New York State in high-earning local government employees.
www.newsday.com
June 23, 2025 at 11:44 AM
davidmcruz.bsky.social
Suffolk County maintains a so-called "Wall of Shame" for unscrupulous home improvement contractors.

The stories reporter Joe Werkmeister heard for this story will shock you.

Via @newsday.bsky.social
www.newsday.com/long-island/...
Suffolk's 'Wall of Shame' registry shows 700 unlicensed home improvement contractors, with persistent offenders
Suffolk's "Wall of Shame" identifies unlicensed contractors, who face fines or jail time.
www.newsday.com
June 7, 2025 at 12:54 PM