State Sen. Jack Martins began his political career at the local level, serving as a trustee in Mineola in 2002 before being elected mayor in 2003. Throughout his career, he has focused on local issues — particularly taxes, infrastructure and education — and now, as he runs for another term in the Senate, his message is clear: the cost of living and quality of life on Long Island are his top priorities.
“It’s expensive to live in New York state, and in recent years it’s gotten even worse,” Martins said. “Whether it’s shopping for groceries or simply paying property taxes, people are feeling squeezed from all sides.” He highlighted the sharp increase in state spending — up nearly $70 billion in the past eight years — as a main cause, and emphasized the need to rein in government spending and allow people to keep more of their money.
“Government should not be taxing people to the extent that it is,” he said, stressing his commitment to cutting taxes wherever possible.
Martins also sees housing as a major part of the affordability problem. Long Island, he noted, has a shortage of rental housing, particularly for younger people and empty-nesters looking to downsize. He praised towns like Glen Cove, Patchogue and Farmingdale for their efforts to build up their downtowns with more affordable rental options.
“We don’t have the same percentage of rental housing stock that other areas like Westchester do,” he said, “and that needs to change if we want to keep young people and retirees on Long Island.”
The migrant crisis and its impact on local communities are exacerbated by what Martins views as a lack of accountability on the part of New York City officials. “The city put out a welcome mat, and now the rest of the state is paying for it,” he said, referring to spending to support migrants. He believes resources should instead be allocated to local priorities like education and public safety.
Crime is another area of concern for Martins, especially the rise in quality-of-life crimes like burglaries and catalytic converter thefts. “We live in what’s been called the safest county in the country, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t worried about crime,” he said, calling for tougher penalties for illegal gun possession. “We have some of the strictest gun laws in the country, but we’re not enforcing them effectively when it comes to illegal guns.”
School safety also remains a priority for Martins, especially in light of recent bomb and gun threats. He acknowledged the investments that have been made to harden school security, but he stressed the need for continuous vigilance and improved mental health services. “The common denominator in many school shootings is mental health,” he said. “We need to make sure people get the care they need before a tragedy happens.”
Martins believes we must modernize Long Island’s water infrastructure to cope with increased rainfall and population density. Many local drainage systems were built decades ago, he said, and are no longer equipped to handle the volume of water they now receive. “It’s a systemic problem, and every level of government — local, state and federal — needs to be part of the solution,” he said. Martins also expressed concern about the long-term health of Long Island’s sole-source aquifer, urging stronger educational efforts to raise awareness about pollution and water conservation.
He believes, he said, in a balanced approach to taking on these challenges. “We need to get back to basics,” he said. “If we can control spending, make smart investments in infrastructure and protect our quality of life, Long Island will continue to be a great place to live and raise a family.”
