Issues: Local Government

Wishing the Graduates Success and Hope

Like so many of you at this time of year, I recently had the pleasure of watching one of my own children graduate from middle school.  The auditorium was awash with the pure, unadulterated excitement of students, parents and even their teachers.  As I sat quietly wondering where the years had gone, I got to thinking about this phenomenon.  Exactly what were the ingredients of this energy?  Was it pride in accomplishment? Was it a sense of relief?  Or was it simply the prospect of summer vacation?  While I think all of these things played a role, the conversations throughout the room made it clear.  The reason was hope.

A bill sponsored by Senator Jack M. Martins to give ambulances and other emergency vehicles better protection has passed the New York State Senate. The bill (S.5483) would give ambulances and other emergency service vehicles the option of using rear projecting blue lights to prevent the possibility of being struck at night.

Current law allows blue lights affixed to police and fire vehicles. In the event that the trunk or rear gate of a police or fire vehicle hampers that visibility of emergency lighting, a blue light can be affixed to the trunk, rear gate of interior of vehicle. The law went into effect in 2010, but ambulances were omitted.

From the Long Island Press Power List

ALBANY, 06/13/11 -- The New York State Senate today passed a bill (S.4555A) that would allow Otsego County to withdraw from the Montgomery, Otsego, Schoharie Solid Waste Authority (MOSA) at their discretion.   The legislation, sponsored by Senator James L. Seward (R-C-I, Oneonta), establishes the legal roadmap for Otsego County to leave the authority.

Senator Jack M Martins thanked the members of the Elmont Fire Department for their service to the greater community at the Belmont Elmont Day Parade this past weekend. The members of the Elmont Fire Department welcomed Senator Martins to the parade and showed him the fire department aparatus during the parade set-up. Senator Martins and County Legislator John Ciotti spoke to the volunteers and thanked them for their participation in community events in addition to their duties with the department and emergency services. "The men and women who serve in our fire departments are the backbone of our communities. They are our first responders and are always there when our communities need them. I can't thank them enough for their service," said Senator Martins.

During my conversations with the people of Central and Northern New York,they have made it very clear that they wanted real change in Albany. They wanted to clean up the dysfunction and corruption that has made New York State a poster child for what was wrong with government in America.

Long Island’s two freshman Senators – Senator Jack M. Martins and Senator Lee M. Zeldin – have introduced legislation to eliminate the MTA Payroll Tax, which has been burden to Long Island businesses, school districts, local governments, hospitals and even not-for-profits ever since it was enacted in 2009.

The Martins-Zeldin plan calls for the MTA Payroll Tax to be phased out each year until 2014, when it will be completely eliminated.