Schmitt Walks Out of Budget Adoption Hearing

Long Island Bus demonstrators filled the Nassau County Legislative Chamber during a budget hearing Friday morning, refusing to be cut off during the public session and causing the Republican legislative chair to walk out of the meeting.

Grover Howell, chairman of the TWU Local 252, as well as numerous other bus workers, shouted repeatedly for Peter Schmitt, R-Massapequa, to return to the chamber after leaving when workers refused to yield the floor after the 30-minute public comment period was about to be closed after only two speakers.

Several Republicans refused to follow Schmitt out as Howell continued to speak about the controversial contract the county is negotiating with private operator Veolia Transportation, who is set to take over day-to-day operations of the bus system on Jan. 1, 2012.

After a recess, Schmitt called the incident “unfortunate" and said that “the purpose of the public hearing is to hear the public."