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Long Island Association Calls For Nassau-Suffolk Merger

MELVILLE, NY (WCBS 880) - A few years ago, one man proposed turning Long Island into a state. Another plan called for Long Island to be broken up into three areas.

WCBS 880's Sophia Hall On The Story

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Now, Kevin Law, president of the Long Island Association, has told WCBS reporter Sophia Hall, that instead of having two counties - Nassau and Suffolk - he would like just one.

"Both counties are facing an extreme financial crisis and have proposed over a thousand layoffs. If these were two private corporations they would probably be exploring a merger. It happens all the time in the private sector. But because they're municipal corporations nobody has ever thought of that," he said. "We don't think adding a thousand more people to the unemployment line is a great idea.

Instead of living in Nassau County or Suffolk County, residents would live in Long Island County.

Law says it would save money and make Long Island into a powerhouse for New York state.

"We think it may be a great way to market the Long Island region for economic development purposes," he said.

Law says this is a time for out-of-the-box thinking.

Turning Long Island into a single county would require a series of hearings and approvals that could take years to accomplish.

What do you think of the idea? Sound off in the comments section below!

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