Although neither Nassau Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs nor Nassau Legis. David Mejias (D-Farmingdale) are talking to us about it, political sources say the two have talked to each other and Mejias has agreed to rejoin the Democratic legislative caucus.
The two had been at war after Jacobs said Mejias broke a promise to him to vote for a county charter revision that would allow legislators to immediately increase their salaries, which haven’t changed since 1996. In retaliation, Jacobs withdrew the county party’s support of Mejias planned challenge to State Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City).
Mejias denied making any promises. Angry over Jacobs' actions, he said he would no longer meet with the Democratic caucus and Democratic legislators could no longer depend on his tenth vote on the 19 member legislature. He then voted with the Republicans to kill a proposed traffic fee supported by Democratic County Executive Thomas Suozzi.
That vote led the state Senate Democratic Committee to drop its backing of Mejias’ bid against Hannon, we reported last week, because it showed he wasn’t a team player.
The state decision, as well as local Democrats dismay at Mejias’ tactics, helped bring him back into the fold, sources say.
They say he will rejoin the caucus by the Aug. 28 legislative meeting, but he will not return to his spot on the legislative Rules committee......
Celeste Hadrick
...which Presiding Officer Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove) had taken from Mejias after his vote against the traffic fee.
Mejias also will not get support for a run against Hannon, they said.
They were unclear, however, as to what happens with the issue that started the war — raising legislative salaries.
Both Jacobs and Mejias declined comment.