Mineola, NY - Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and majority members of the Nassau County Legislature this week approved an amendment to the County's military leave law that extends the benefits from two year to three years.

The measure passed unanimously at the legislature's March 8 meeting. The military leave law provides county employees who are called to military duty as a result of the war on terrorism to be eligible for up to three years leave at reduced pay during their active status. The reduced pay will be equal to the difference between their county paycheck and their military pay.

Majority members also approved a resolution to accept a gift of two electric cars to the County from LIPA. The cars are powered by electricity and do not emit any harmful pollution.

The legislature also approved the following supplemental appropriations ordinances:

• A $259,392 law enforcement block grant for the Police Department to be used to reduce crime and improve public safety. A County match of $28,281 is required.
• $1,320 for the Health Department's Mammography inspection Program. No County match is required.
• $200,000 for the Health Department's Tobacco Control Quitting for your family program. No County match is required.
• $235,000 for the District attorney's car insurance task force for the prevention, detection and prosecution of cases in the area of motor vehicle theft and insurance fraud. No County match required.

The next Legislative session will be on March 22 at 2 p.m.