| Photo by David Guenther on Unsplash
As a Nassau County Legislator, I have one overarching responsibility: to protect the interests of our residents and ensure their hard-earned money is spent wisely and fairly. Yet, a glaring injustice has come to light that demands urgent action, which speaks to a deeper issue of accountability, trust, and leadership in our county.
Nassau County has imposed a $100 administrative fee on red-light camera violations for years despite a state law limiting fines to $50 per violation. In November 2024, a state appellate court finally declared what many of us have suspected all along: These fees were illegal. The court’s decision forced the county to stop charging these unlawful fees moving forward.
But what about the past? What about the countless Nassau County residents who followed the rules, paid their fines, and, in doing so, handed over money they didn’t owe? What about the families who had to forgo groceries or skip a utility bill to scrape that extra $100?
Stopping the fees now is not enough. Justice demands that we make these residents whole again.
That’s why I introduced the Fair Fees Accountability Act, which would permanently eliminate these illegal fees and establish a fund to reimburse overcharged drivers. This legislation isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about fairness, transparency, and restoring trust in our government.
Unfortunately, I’ve encountered resistance where there should be support. County Executive Bruce Blakeman campaigned on a promise to cut taxes and fees, but those promises evaporated once he took office. Instead of standing with our residents and righting this wrong, he has dismissed the idea of refunds entirely. His refusal to act is a betrayal of the voters who trusted him to make life more affordable in Nassau County.
“Refunding these fees is not just about the money. It’s about trust, integrity, and showing Nassau County residents that their leaders are willing to fight for what’s right. …As public servants, we must hold ourselves accountable and ensure that our residents are not paying the price for governmental missteps.”
The County Executive’s inaction speaks volumes. It tells us that flashy campaign slogans matter more than meaningful action. It tells us that promises of affordability were never genuine and that Nassau County families—working parents, seniors on fixed incomes, and young professionals trying to get by—are left to shoulder the burden of broken promises.
Let’s be clear: This is not just a bureaucratic oversight. This is money that was unfairly taken from Nassau County residents. Every illegal fee represents a family forced to make tough decisions because their government overstepped its bounds. For some, $100 might seem insignificant. But for many families in our community, that $100 could mean a week’s worth of groceries or a gas tank to get to work.
Leadership is more than just stopping these illegal practices moving forward—it’s about owning up to past mistakes and making amends for them.
The Fair Fees Accountability Act is a fiscally responsible solution. It eliminates these illegal fees and creates a reimbursement fund without putting Nassau County deeper into debt. More importantly, it sends a message to our residents that their government works for them, not against them.
We deserve better. I urge my Republican colleagues in the Legislature and County Executive Blakeman to support this legislation. Refunding these fees is not just about the money. It’s about trust, integrity, and showing Nassau County residents that their leaders are willing to fight for what’s right.
As public servants, we must hold ourselves accountable and ensure our residents are not paying the price for governmental missteps. It’s time for action, fairness, and Nassau County to right this wrong.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Seth I. Koslow, of Merrick, was elected in 2023 to represent the Fifth District of the Nassau County Legislature.
