Gov. Cuomo to Sign Bill at West Hempstead School

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will be in West Hempstead Monday.

Cuomo plans to visit Cornwell Avenue School on Dec. 12 to sign legislation that repeals the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Payroll Tax, according to a notice posted on the West Hempstead school district's Web site.

"The Board of Education, Administration, Faculty and Staff are proud to host this important event," read the statement. Cuomo is expected to stop by the school, along with Sen. Dean Skelos, other elected officials and local community leaders, at 10:30 a.m. for the signing. As a result, traffic around the school, located at the corner of Cornwell Avenue and Hempstead Avenue, may be heavier than usual between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

The district anticipates that the school day, however, will essentially run as normal.

The legislation passed last week when representatives in Albany agreed to make a $250-million cut to the MTA payroll tax, reducing the amount small businesses pay and exempting both parochial and private schools. (The MTA will instead be compensated by the state for the lost revenue.)

Look for a report on the governor's visit on Patch.