State Sen. Jack Martins (R-MIneola) has been appointed as chairman of the Committee on Local Governments by state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre).
Martins had served as mayor of Mineola for eight years before being elected to represent the 7th Senate District, and he has said he planned to be a strong voice for local government in the state Legislature.
Martins is currently co-sponsoring legislation with state Assemblyman Michelle Schimel (D- Great Neck) to amend the terms of the community empowerment bill drafted by Gov. Andrew Cuomo before his election. The bill aims to change the standards required to enable consolidation of municipal governments statewide.
“Local governments are the backbone of our communities. I want to thank our local elected officials, volunteer firefighters and emergency workers and organizations for doing so much for us,” said Martins, who thanked Skelos for the appointment.
“As the former mayor of Mineola, Jack Martins understands what it takes for a local government to balance while keeping taxes low as well as how difficult it can be when Albany passes yet another back-breaking mandate,” Skelos said.
Martins also was appointed to the labor, civil service and pensions, and the corporate authorities and commissions committees.
As a members of the labor committee, Martins said he would look for initiatives to create jobs on Long Island.
He cited the presence of men and women in labor unions in the 7th Senate District as the primary reason for his appointment to that committee.
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204
