Long Island Congressman Nick LaLota is doubling down on his threats to withhold federal funding for infrastructure upgrades from East Hampton unless its local government repeals its sanctuary laws.
Last month, Rep. LaLota put roughly $9 million that East Hampton requested in Community Project Funding in limbo after both the town and village passed a pair of bills — written by a Latino advocacy organization — that banned its local police departments from cooperating with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement on civil enforcement.
“I’m giving the town a choice, and they’ll have to deal with the consequences of their decision,” the Republican told The Post about his ultimatum.
“I will not support community project funding requests from municipalities that have adopted policies, enacted local laws, or taken official actions that deliberately obstruct, impede, or refuse lawful cooperation with federal authorities carrying out their responsibilities under federal law,” LaLota wrote in a letter sent to sent to town supervisors and mayors in his district last month.
The money from Congress’ Community Project Funding — also known as earmarks — are federal dollars that individual House members request for specific projects in their districts each budget cycle.
This gives LaLota near-total control over whether East Hampton’s applications ever reach the House Appropriations Committee for approval. East Hampton has so far requested $9 million for public safety and infrastructure upgrades this cycle, according to records.
East Hampton’s requested earmarks include $5 million in earmarks next year to resurface 22 miles of road and another $4-plus million for new police cruisers, with LaLota noting he would support the money for law enforcement.
The two-term congressman noted the earmarks are brought to the house floor at his discretion, and he would only consider supporting requests from local governments that reflect his values and cooperate with federal partners.
But East Hampton, whose population is roughly 27% Latino, is not backing down after LaLota’s threats.
“Congressman LaLota is free to disagree with the Village’s policy, but East Hampton will not be intimidated into abandoning a law we believe protects public safety, respects constitutional rights, and serves the best interests of our community,” said village Mayor Jerry Larsen.
He blasted the congressman for using “federal tax dollars that belong to the taxpayers” as “leverage to force local governments to abandon policies they lawfully enacted.
“Our law does not prevent federal authorities from enforcing federal immigration laws — it simply establishes how local resources are used and ensures constitutional protections are respected,” Larsen, Democrat, added.
Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez, also a Democrat, was equally defiant, noting the congressman celebrated delivering federal money for East Hampton police equipment just months before threatening to choke off the funds — though LaLota said he would support the funds for law enforcement.
However, LaLota claimed East Hampton residents who disapprove of the policy are actually supportive of him withholding taxpayer funds from the town.
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