“If we agree that “not every student is college-bound,” then they, too, deserve the same state-funded support as those who choose to attend college for their post-graduation future” April, 21, 2024 NY State Senator Monica Martinez martinez@nysenate.gov NY State Senator Alexis Weik weik@nysenate.gov NY Assemblyman Michael Durso dursom@nyassembly.gov NY Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre jeanpierrek@nyassembly.gov Dear NY…
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Times Union OpEd: Legislature must reclaim the power it ceded to Cuomo
Published in Times Union January 6, 2021 On Wednesday, 40 state lawmakers will begin their first term with the traditional oath to support the United States and New York state constitutions. These freshmen lawmakers will have sworn their oath, however, at a moment when their power has been surrendered to the governor by their predecessors….
Times Union OpEd: Lawmakers have largely abondoned our school districts
Published in Times Union November 24, 2020 Unfunded mandates are not uncommon for school districts in New York, but what we are witnessing now — increased mandates with the threat of decreased resources — is a first. Our schools and those who support them have been essential in the fight during this pandemic. Yet for…
Times Union OpEd: Denying a child an education to promote a plan is troubling
Published in Times Union December 19, 2019 On the heels of the recently repealed religious exemption from immunizations, another public health bill has found its way into the New York state Legislature. And, yet again, this legislation would create another requirement that puts at risk the education of students who attend public school. In June…
Legislation Update: Suffolk County bus camera law allocates some revenue back to children
The Suffolk County school bus traffic violation camera resolution was approved on December 13, 2019. Having received unanimous bi-partisan support, the new law will take effect on January 1, 2020. The initial proposal of the resolution–in following state law–had none of the collected revenue from tickets and fees being allocated back to schools, education, or…
Graft Podcast Interview: School Bus Camera Bill
Graft Podcast Interview October 8, 2019– I was honored to be invited as a guest on the Graft Podcast to discuss the recently passed school bus camera legislation. Graft is a weekly podcast exploring and exposing the systemic corruption, waste and abuse that infect New York’s political and governmental institutions. Co-hosts Flip Pidot and Jim…
Times Union OpEd: State hijacking revenue from School Bus Camera Bill
Published in Times Union September 13, 2019 Few New Yorkers would disagree that the safety of our children is a priority. Even before being signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month, the vote on what’s known as the School Bus Camera Bill showed Albany lawmakers in unanimous agreement. The new law authorizes cameras…
Video: West Babylon PTA Council’s Meet The Candidates Night 2019
The following were my closing comments from the April 29, 2019 Meet the Candidates Night. The event was hosted by the West Babylon PTA Council.
Times Union OpEd: Manage state spending instead of adding internet tax
Published in Times Union February 11, 2019 In the weeks prior to the passage of New York’s 2018-2019 budget, many elected officials called on lawmakers to include a new “internet tax.” The primary explanation for the proposal — supported by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and others — was that it would “level the playing field” for…
News Coverage: Community calls for uniformed officer at Babylon LIRR station
Long Island News 12 November 20, 2018 BABYLON – Babylon Long Island Rail Road riders are demanding a stepped up police presence at the Babylon train station. At a community meeting Monday, residents said they feel uncomfortable and nervous at the station. They pointed to people aggressively asking for money, being publicly intoxicated and loitering….
Christopher Paolillo 