Sag Harbor - New York State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF-Sag Harbor) today urged the Long Island Regional Economic Council created by Governor Cuomo to adopt a number of economic proposals for the East End Long Island.

Thiele asked the Council to revive the East End Economic and Environmental Task Force first created by Governor Mario Cuomo in 1994 to make new recommendations for the East End. That task force published "Blueprint for Our Future" in 1995, which made 44 policy recommendations that became a policy road map for East End officials over the next 15 years.

Thiele stated, "The Task Force did its work at no cost and without consultants - just the work of 49 dedicated East End community leaders. It produced perhaps the most useful tool for public policy on the East End over the last 15 years. The Task Force should be re-created and should go back to work."

In addition, Thiele believes the Council should consider a number of projects and policy initiatives which could improve the regional East End economy. Thiele made recommendations in the following areas:

 • Transportation
 • Education
 • Agriculture
 • Fishing
 • Tourism/Second home Industry

Among the proposals that Thiele recommended to the Council for review included:

 • Creation of a Regional Sustainability Institute
 • Institution of a 5 Town Coordinated Rail/Bus Shuttle System
 • The Repaving of SR 27 from CR 39 to Amagansett
 • Elimination of Excessive Paperwork For Local Wineries
 • Investment in Land Preservation and Environmental Infrastructure to Protect Tourism and the 2nd Home Industry
 • Sales Tax Exemption at the Pump for Gasoline- Commercial Fishing and Charter Boats
 • Revision of the Resident State Income Tax on 2nd Homeowners
 • Increase In the Estate Tax Threshold for Farmers and Small Businesses
 • Consolidation of Tidal Wetland Review