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Levy veto stands

Newsday
BY REID J. EPSTEIN
9/20/07

The Suffolk Legislature Thursday failed by one vote to override County Executive Steve Levy's veto of a law that would require the county to pay child care providers within 30 days of receiving an invoice.

Legis. Kate Browning (WFP-Shirley), one of the bill's co-sponsors, cast the seventh and fatal vote against overriding Levy's veto. Twelve of 18 votes were needed to make the prompt payment bill law despite Levy's objection.

As Browning voted no, child care providers in the gallery gasped and angrily pointed fingers at her. Tatyana Reyes, who runs Samantha Christian Daycare in Shirley, later approached Browning in the lobby, saying, "You know how it feels, you know the pain."

Browning said she was convinced to sustain Levy's veto after the county executive called her last weekend and asked for two months to install a system to promptly pay providers.

"I'm taking him at his word," Browning said. "If he doesn't come through, I'll bring the bill back in two months."

Browning may not have to wait that long. Seconds after the veto override failed, Legis. Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-Seatuket) promised to introduce an identical bill at the Legislature's next meeting in October.

Child care providers on Thursday said they were livid with legislators, who approved the bill by a 17-1 margin Aug. 21. Kathy Liguori, who owns and operates the Tutor Time centers in Medford and Middle Island, said the six legislators who changed their vote did so for political expediency.

"This sustained veto on the child care industry is comparable to the arrest of Rosa Parks on the bus," Liguori said.