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Vol. 31 No. 37
SEPTEMBER 5 - 11, 2024
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Women Voters League pushes Proposal One people that are disabled and people that identify differently.” According to the state Bar In November, voters in Mal- Association, the state Constituverne and West Hempstead will tion prohibits discrimination help decide on a ballot measure based only on race and religion. that would help protect vulnera- There are no such protections for gender or other ble groups, and the classifications. ProLeague of Women posal 1 would proVoters is spreading hibit discriminathe word on why tion based on a perit’s important for it s o n ’ s e t h n i c i t y, to pass. n at i o n a l o r i g i n , The league is a age, disability and nonpartisan, grasssex, including their roots organization sexual orientation, that works to prog e n d e r i d e n t i t y, tect and expand votgender expression, ing rights throughpre gnancy and out the country pre gnancy outwhile empowering comes. voters through eduAt last week’s cation and litigameeting, guests tion, locally and PEggy STEiN filled out postcards nationally. At an League of Women encouraging voters Aug. 21 meeting of to “flip the ballot” the East Nassau Voters of East Nassau and vote on Proposchapter at the Lev- County al 1. The postcards ittown Public were mailed to Library, members and guests learned about Pro- addresses provided by New posal 1, formerly known as the Yorkers for Equal Rights, a coalition that supports the Equal Rights Amendment. “When this passes, the con- amendment. Attendees filled stitution for New York state will out around 300 cards, Stein said. Susan Gottehrer, director of change, giving us all equal rights,” Peggy Stein, a member the Nassau County New York of the chapter, said. “Women, Continued on page 2
By CHARlES SHAW
cshaw@liherald.com
W
Courtesy New York Racing Association
John di Leonardo has sued the state and the new York Racing association for loaning $455 million to Belmont park.
Animal activist appeals Belmont lawsuit decision By NiColE FoRMiSANo nformisano@liherald.com
Belmont Park is a fixture on Long Island — but does its cost to taxpayers outweigh its benefits? John Di Leonardo, who lived in Malverne for 30 years, alleged in a lawsuit against New York state and the New York Racing Association that the state’s $455 million loan to the park is an unconstitutional use of taxpayer money. The suit, which was backed by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal, was originally filed last year, but was dismissed in court by New York Supreme Court Judge Peter Lynch in October. Di Leonardo, an anthrozoologist and the founder of animal advocacy nonprofit Humane Long Island, and co-plaintiff Jannette Patterson filed an
appeal in May, to which NYRA responded on July 8. The case is currently being reviewed in appellate court. The suit alleged that it is unconstitutional for state funds to be used to subsidize a private corporation. However, NYRA is a not-for-profit organization run by the state. Further, the court ruled that because Belmont operates on state land, any improvements made to it are benefiting the state. Further, courts have established in the past that the state may loan money to a private entities if the loan is for a “predominantly public purpose.” “Judge Lynch’s decision validates the importance of this transformational project, which will deliver the world-class Belmont Park that New Yorkers deserve while creatContinued on page 5
hen this passes, the Constitution for New York state will change, giving us all equal rights.