A modest proposal for Long Island.

New York State assemblyman Tom DiNapoli made a pitch for support of his Long Island Workforce Housing Incentive Program, which has been passed three times by the Assembly, but hasn't made it through the state Senate.

DiNapoli, appearing at a Long Island Real Estate Group breakfast on January 27, told the group that Long Island's ability to enjoy economic growth will be severely limited unless the region provides housing affordable to 18-34-year-olds.

DiNapoli's measure, which is sponsored in the state Senate by Senator Michael Balboni, would require a developer to set aside 10% of any new development of five units or more for families making no more than 80% of the area's median income. Developers would get a density bonus in return. If a local government finds that the setting aside of at least 10% of such units would have an adverse impact upon health, safety or the environment, the developer would be required to pay a fee to a local government trust fund that would be used for the purpose of providing such housing.

In the same speech, DiNapoli, who serves as chairman of the Assembly's standing committee on environmental conservation, said he'd like to see more of the state's 1,100 brownfield sites participating in its new cleanup program. Only 250 sites are currently going through the process.