Senator Tom Libous (R-C-I: Binghamton) is serving his twelfth term in the New York State Senate representing Broome, Tioga and Chenango and Delaware Counties.

Tom grew up on Johnson City’s North Side and attended Johnson City Central School District. As a kid, he was proud to work at his family’s grocery store in Binghamton which taught him the value of a dollar and the meaning of hard work at a young age.

A graduate of Broome Community College and SUNY-Utica, Tom was elected to Binghamton City Council representing the City’s South Side in 1984. He was re-elected in 1987.

Tom built management and finance skills working in the private sector for 14 years at Chase-Lincoln First Bank and Johnson City Publishing before running for New York State Senate.

Elected in 1988, one of Tom’s priorities as Senator was helping kids here at home. In 1989, he founded YES! Safe Choices for Kids to help kids learn about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. In 2001, he founded BOOKS (Books Open Opportunities for Kids to Succeed) to encourage kids to become better readers.

As our Senator, Tom has worked on deals to bring and retain thousands of jobs to our area, has secured over $100 million of capital funding for Binghamton University and consolidated two State agencies into the Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services.

From 2005 to 2008, Tom chaired the Transportation Committee, where he fought to increase funding for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program that helps fix our roads and bridges and keep local taxes down.

Senator Libous also served as Chair of the Select Committee on the Disabled where he fought to protect and improve services for vulnerable New Yorkers by creating the Traumatic Brain Injury Program, fighting for Mental Health Support and Workforce Reinvestment, authoring legislation giving Tax Credits to those who hire persons with disabilities, adopting Reasonable Accomodations as part of State law, and sponsoring the bill that created “Kendra’s Law”.

In 2011, he was named the Deputy Majority Leader for the New York State Senate. His top priorities are: fighting for stronger ethical standards in state government, for fairness for Upstate New York, honesty in government and cutting spending.

Tom lives in Binghamton with his wife, Fran, who serves as a Member of the Workers Compensation Board. The couple has two grown sons, Matt and Nick.

Updated on 12/31/10