Press Releases

Ra Applauds State Authorization of The Return of Scholastic Sports

“Today’s announcement from the administration clears the path for our kids to get back on the court, back on the field and back on the ice. I’m heartened to see the governor respond to our bipartisan push to get scholastic sports back. It will be...

Assembly Minority Releases ‘Jump Start New York’ With Redesigned Economic Recovery Blueprint

In an effort to stimulate New York’s economic recovery and strengthen its fiscal resilience ahead of future emergencies, the Assembly Minority Conference has compiled and updated a list of proposals — Jump-Start New York: A Plan for Economic Recovery.“All...

‘Jump Start New York’

Ra Says State Government Must Be Laser-Focused on Economic Recovery

“Today, the governor began outlining a broad, ambitious agenda. Some of his ideas are commendable. However, it’s important to remember that our state was facing a multi-billion dollar budget deficit even before COVID-19 rocked our economy and decimated...

Bitter Partisanship, Misplaced Priorities Hurting Small Businesses

Last week, the Assembly convened a special session to vote on an extension of the eviction and foreclosure moratorium for tenants and homeowners. I knew the bill was incomplete. My colleagues and I drafted an amendment that would provide the same protections...

Ra Participates in Successful Toy Drive for Local Children During Holiday Season

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Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) participated in a local Holiday Toy Drive that proved to be very successful. Ra, along with others in the community, was able to fill two full ten-foot U-Haul trucks with toy donations. The toys were given to the...

Ra Re-Appointed Ranking Minority Member of Ways and Means, Tapped for Rules Committee Post

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is pleased to announce that Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay has re-appointed him as the ranking Minority Member on the Ways and Means Committee. The committee vets all legislation with a fiscal impact to the...

New Yorkers Need Bipartisan Compromise in Washington

Anyone with a mailbox can tell you this was an intense election cycle in our community. That’s the way it was all over the country. After the polls close, however, elected leaders need to get back to work. That means listening to each other, that means...

Even During Unprecedented Times, There’s So Much to Be Thankful For

This has been an exceptionally difficult year. Our region was the epicenter of a global pandemic. This spring, we experienced real suffering and heartbreak on a scale that’s still difficult to process. We’re still dealing with the lingering public...

Bipartisan Ra Bill Signed Into Law By Governor

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is pleased to announce that legislation creating a statewide volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention task force has been signed into law by the governor. Ra cosponsored the legislation in the Assembly. “The...

Ra Thanks Local Vets With “Heroes for Heroes” Event

Recently, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) provided over 60 takeout meals to local veterans and their families during his annual “Heroes for Heroes” event. It was a socially distanced variant of his annual veterans’ BBQ. Ra, his office...

Ra, Miller Author Bill to Protect Utility Consumers, Increase Oversight of PSEG Long Island

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and Assemblywoman Melissa Miller (R,C,I-Atlantic Beach) are sponsoring legislation to strengthen the oversight capacity of the Long Island Office of the Public Service Commission and amplify ratepayer voices by the...

Ra Organizes Successful Community Blood Drive in Mineola

This week, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) partnered with the Village of Mineola and the New York Blood Center to host a needed community blood drive at the Mineola Community Center. “I want to thank everyone who came out to help their neighbors...

Ra's Annual Picnic Honoring Veterans Will Shift to Socially Distanced Takeout Event

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) today announced that his annual ‘Heroes for Heroes’ picnic honoring veterans will offer takeout meals this year in an effort to promote public health and comply with the latest COVID-19 guidance from the...

30th Anniversary of ADA Points Path Forward to More Transportation Accessibility

Earlier this week, our nation recognized the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). President George H.W. Bush signed the landmark bill into law on July 26, 1990. It’s one of the most transformational pieces of legislation...

Ra Blasts Majority Efforts to Stack the Deck in Redistricting Process

“In 2014, New Yorkers went to the polls and approved a referendum that would prevent one party from dominating the redistricting process. It appealed to their sense of fairness. There’s a word for one party drawing district lines without fair-minded...

Discussions About Policing Have Spun Out of Control A Legislative Column by Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square)

Since the tragic killing of George Floyd by disgraced police officers in Minneapolis, Americans are discussing issues regarding race, law enforcement and criminal justice with renewed passion and openness. Many of these discussions have been productive....

On Heels of Administration's Report, Ra Calls for Independent Investigation of Nursing Home Disaster

“The administration’s claim that their March 25 order requiring nursing homes to accept COVID-19 positive patients was not a significant factor in the tragedy that unfolded is incredibly hard for me to believe. It underscores why further investigation...

Our Kids Belong in the Classroom This Fall

It’s not unusual for the governor to encounter opposition to one of his policy proposals. However, when he recently questioned the long-term viability and practicality of in-classroom learning in schools across the state, the reaction was swift,...

Ra Honors Winner of 2020 Video Challenge on The Struggles of High School

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) with contest winner Jacob Tabari and his family.
Recently, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) held a plaque presentation ceremony at his District Office to honor Jacob Tabari, the winner of his 2020 Video Challenge. This year’s challenge was titled “The Struggles of High School.” Jacob...