Bruce Blakeman proposes Nassau County budget and gains union endorsement

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has proposed a $4.6 billion budget for the 2027 fiscal year. The spending plan aims to avoid property tax increases while adding hundreds of new positions, including 36 police officers, primarily within the County Assessment Office and Social Services.

In a separate political development, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) has endorsed Blakeman for governor in a landslide vote of 1,370 to 78. This marks the first time the union has endorsed a candidate in a statewide race.

The endorsement comes as incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul faces criticism regarding state prison conditions and staffing shortages following a massive strike in 2025. Blakeman, a Republican, has pledged to restore “law and order” and rehire officers dismissed during the strike.