Hauppauge, NY - Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs and Suffolk County Presiding Officer Joseph Caracappa crossed county and party lines this week to discuss issues foremost on the minds of elected officials and residents in both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Jacobs, a Democrat, traveled to Hauppauge to meet with Caracappa, a Republican, for a luncheon meeting that focused on several issues facing both Nassau and Suffolk counties, including Medicaid and the increasing burden on local governments. Jacobs and members of the Nassau Legislature are hosting a Medicaid Summit on May 14.

The legislative leaders spoke about the need for an affordable housing initiative that will encourage Long Islanders to remain in their homes, red light cameras to deal with the rise in accidents attributed to motorists "running" red lights, the Section 8 housing program, and the need for lobbying state officials for assistance in dealing with the growing number of unfunded mandates.

"This meeting was extremely helpful in terms of understanding how Suffolk County handles many of the same issues that we are facing in Nassau," said Presiding Officer Jacobs. "I do believe that as we head into the future, it will become increasingly important that we look at things in a regional way. Nassau and Suffolk have tremendous potential for influencing policy on the state and federal level through our joint resources. I look forward to working closely with Presiding Officer Caracappa on many different initiatives that impact both of our counties," she added.

"Many of the major issues confronting our residents today are not unique to Suffolk County," said Presiding Officer Caracappa. "Regional problems require regional solutions. I am grateful for the opportunity to spend this productive and enjoyable time with Presiding Officer Jacobs, and I look forward to working with her in the future as we seek to find the solutions that will best serve all of Long Island's residents," he added.