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State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, is pictured with Chris Schiavo, Chief of the Deer Park Fire Department, aboard one of the department’s stump jumpers that was used to fight the massive brush fire that engulfed roughly 80-acres of the Edgewood State Preserve. More than 40 fire departments, including Deer Park, helped fight the fire before anyone was hurt or property was lost. The departments were recognized for their tremendous efforts at a recent ceremony that was held at the Preserve.

State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, announced that the State Senate today passed legislation he is sponsoring that would limit options or plea bargaining for repeat driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The bill would prohibit plea bargaining from DWI down to DWAI or from DWAI down to a non-alcohol-related offense if the person charged had been convicted of either crime within the previous 10 years.

State Capitol, Albany, New York, May 11, 2006 -- State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, recently paid a visit to the 4th grade class at Park Ave. Elementary School in Amityville. During his visit, Senator Johnson handed out brochures and spoke to the students on several issues including how a bill becomes a law and his role as a New York State Senator.

State Capitol, Albany, New York, May 5, 2006 -- State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, announced today that three local students have won recognition in the Senate’s 15th Annual I*MA*GREEN*NATION competition.

State Capitol, Albany, New York, May 2, 2006 -- State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, received special recognition at a thank you ceremony held by Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS), for securing a $20,000 state grant to help support their "Steer Clear of Bullies Program." The Bully Prevention program is one of many offered by CAPS, that is designed to prevent bullying in schools by teaching children different strategies to avoid harmful situations.

State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, joined members of the Brentwood Soccer League on Saturday -- the opening day of their season -- to call on the Governor to restore $6.5 million he and Senator Trunzo had secured in the state budget to build the Brentwood Athletic Complex at Brentwood State Park.

State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, today announced that Suffolk County has received a $100,000 grant to help finance a $1.4 million energy-efficiency project at the Bergen Point Wastewater Treatment Facility located in West Babylon.

"The Bergen Point project is a good example of government practicing what it preaches when it encourages energy conservation. The energy-saving measures, once implemented, will cut the facility’s energy bills and save Suffolk county taxpayers $145,000 annually," said Senator Johnson.

State Capitol, Albany, New York, April 6, 2006 -- State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, is pictured with members of the New York Seafood Council at his 2006 Long Island Seafood Reception that he hosted in Albany. The popular annual event showcases Long Island Seafood and Long Island Wines and draws nearly 1,000 guests.

State Senator Owen H. Johnson (4th Senate District, Babylon), Chairman of the Finance Committee, recently took the time to greet the talented Deer Park High School students who were selected to participate in the statewide Lifesmarts Competition that was held earlier this month in Albany. Lifesmarts is a program that was developed by the National Consumer League to build consumer literacy among teenagers by combining uniquely broad content with an innovative national championship competition.