Keyword: 'senator' | Herald Community Newspapers

The battle for Dean Skelos’s seat begins to take shape

The special election to fill the State Senate’s 9th District seat, formerly held by Majority Leader Dean Skelos, is set for April 19, the same day as New York’s presidential primary. more

2/4/16

Kaminsky and McGrath run for the State Senate

Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach), who for nearly a month remained silent on whether he would seek the vacant State Senate seat left open by former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, formally … more

By Jeffrey Bessen and Anthony Rifilato | 2/3/16

Kaminsky and McGrath run for the State Senate

Assemblyman Todd Kaminsky (D-Long Beach), who for nearly a month remained silent on whether he would seek the vacant State Senate seat left open by former Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, formally … more

By JEFFREY BESSEN and ANTHONY RIFILATO | 2/3/16

Albany must regain the public’s trust

We join with good-government groups in calling for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature to enact three specific reforms to help reduce the ethical violations and criminal behavior . . . more

1/28/16

Legislator Steven Rhoads, along with State Sen. Michael Venditto and State Assemblyman Dave McDonough, honored Ellice and Tom Toscano for their years of service to Temple B’Nai Torah in Wantagh.

Toscano gives back to the temple

“My husband is Catholic and I’m Jewish,” Wantagh resident Ellice Toscano said. “And we’ve always been respectful of each other’s religions.” In 27 years at Temple B’nai Torah in Wantagh, Ellice Toscano and her husband, Tom, have always found ways to give back while raising their three sons, Matthew, now 35, Ryne, 30, and Reed, 23. Now in her 60s and a grandmother to 2-year-old Gabriella, Toscano looks back on the time and service she gave to her house of faith. more

By Rebecca Anderson | 1/26/16

It’s time to restore full state aid to schools

In his State of the State address on Jan. 13, Gov. Andrew Cuomo promised to end the Gap Elimination Adjustment that school districts across the state have been subject to by 2017-18. That’s a major step in the right direction, but . . . more

1/21/16

Venditto reflects on first year

Although he spends a good part of his time in Albany, State Sen. Michael Venditto said he hasn’t forgotten about importance of face-to-face interaction with his constituents, who live in Baldwin, West Babylon, and everywhere in between. more

By Andrew Hackmack | 1/19/16

Albany should resolve to fight corruption

New York’s Assembly members and senators have returned to Albany to begin the latest legislative session. In the coming months, they, along with Gov. Andrew Cuomo, will produce the state budget. Important decisions will be made on . . . more

1/14/16

Former Sen. Dean Skelos is still eligible for his $95,000-a-year pension, despite being convicted of felonies in his corruption trial. It is something that is not unique to Skelos, but is becoming an issue in Albany, and for those seeking to fill his seat.

Skelos to receive pension

Days after his conviction for bribery and corruption, former State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos filed for his state pension and sparked the first dust-up of the race to fill his seat. … more

By Alex Costello | 1/6/16

Sergeant Bergdahl is not a hero

In 2009, an American soldier, Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, disappeared from his base in the Paktika province of Afghanistan and was captured by the Taliban. Five years later . . . more

12/24/15