A little noticed element of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s budget proposal would extend a temporary tax on the wealthiest New Yorkers, which she said would fund programs to make life more affordable for middle class and poorer families, but which independent analysts warn could hurt taxpayers of all income levels. Hochul’s proposal would extend the temporary income tax surcharge on earners making more than $2.1 million a year in taxable income and provide the state $5 billion a year in revenue over five more years. The temporary tax rate, which began in 2022 and is scheduled to end in 2027, was created to help the state rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. Under Hochul's proposal, the surcharge would continue into 2032. Michael Gormley reports in NEWSDAY that Democratic legislators along with advocates for the poor want the revenue to help pay for needs in public schools, which would also reduce pressure on property taxes; for health care, including hospitals in fiscal distress; and social services for food and housing as inflation hits middle- and lower-income families hardest. However, the proposed extension of the temporary tax is a concern for fiscal analysts. "First, it’s a question of economic competitiveness," said Patrick Orecki, director of state studies at the independent Citizens Budget Commission. "The next is the necessity of it ... this tax is just like the ‘millionaire’s tax’ 15 years ago that was passed to get through the recession," Orecki told Newsday in an interview. "Now, it’s built into the tax code." That millionaires tax rate was adopted as a response to the 2009 recession, extended once and then made permanent. The current proposal to extend the temporary surcharge is in addition to the millionaire's tax. Orecki said Hochul’s proposed tax extension has the potential to continue an exodus of wealthy New Yorkers to other states with lower income taxes or, as with Florida, no state income tax. That could force reduced spending on the same education, health care and social service programs and middle class tax breaks Hochul says the tax extension is needed to help fund, financial analysts said.

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The Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays is closed until further notice, officials announced Friday. Lisa Finn reports on Patch.com that Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore said the town received word from Suffolk County that the Suffolk County Department of Public Works had closed the bridge until further notice.

Ryan Murphy, Southampton Town public safety and emergency management administrator, sent out a release that said the bridge is closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic in both directions.

"The town was informed that, while the NYSDOT was conducting a routine inspection of the bridge on February 20, conditions were identified that have since resulted in the closing of the bridge. County and state engineers continue to analyze the data in an effort to determine what additional action may be necessary," the release said.

"Until such time as the Ponquogue Bridge in Hampton Bays reopens, residents and visitors are asked to pursue alternate means of accessing Dune Road. Residents and visitors are also urged to be mindful of the potential traffic impacts to other bridges and roadways that might provide access."

The notice continued: "As the town becomes aware of additional information, or a projected timeline for the reopening of the bridge, we will share that information."

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The East Hampton Town Police Department’s 2025 Citizen Academy is now accepting applications, with the Spring 2025 session scheduled to begin on March 5. CHRISTOPHER WALSH reports on 27east.com that a 10-week program, the Citizen’s Police Academy gives participants firsthand insight into how the town’s police officers perform their duties and serve the community. The goal is for graduates to leave the academy as more informed citizens with