Press Releases

It's Time for the Legislature to Get Back to Work

Gov. Cuomo has assumed expansive emergency powers as the state continues to battle the impact of COVID-19, and he hasn’t been shy in using them. He’s spent over $3 billion in taxpayer dollars. He’s chosen which businesses are shuttered...

Ra Outraged by Parole Board’s Decision to Spring Murderer Who Raped His Victim from Prison

“The parole board is continuing its outrageous run of horrible decisions that insult victims’ rights and compromise public safety. Bruce Haims broke into the home of Pamela Sharon, his girlfriend’s best friend. When Pamela refused his advances,...

Ra Wants Bill Gates to Stay Away From New York’s Education System

“This is not the first time Bill Gates has tried to leverage his wealth and fame into a position as a high profile-government education consultant. His track record is terrible. He championed Race to the Top and Common Core, which promoted untested...

Let's Help Our Small Businesses and Their Workers So They're Ready When the Time is Right

The efforts of our essential workers during the last several weeks have been nothing short of heroic. Grocery clerks and pharmacy employees, law enforcement officials and first responders, and especially our doctors, nurses and healthcare workers have...

Ra, Colleagues Beat the State Budget Buzzer to Restore Critical Funding for Veterans

“Heading into the last budget bill last night, millions of dollars in proposed cuts to important veterans counseling and legal services programs had yet to be restored. My colleagues and I didn’t give up. We repeatedly raised the issue during...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) Statement on the Final Enacted Budget

“At a time when our state and nation are battling an escalating public health emergency and a deepening economic crisis, it’s shameful that Senate and Assembly Majority codified the governor’s outrageous power grabs, settled his political...

State Budget Requires Decisive, Bipartisan Action

By their nature, emergencies are unusual circumstances. Responding to an emergency using everyday tactics isn’t just ineffective- it ultimately makes you look like an insane person. If your house is burning down, you don’t start brainstorming...

Budget Presents Us with a Chance to be Better than Washington

“This week, the country has watched partisan divisions prevent congressional leaders from delivering for the American people. In Albany, we’re going to have to do a lot better than that when we reconvene to pass the budget. I’m urging legislative...

Amid Devastating Impacts of Covid-19 Outbreak Assembly Minority Conference Proposes Small Business Emergency Recovery Act of 2020

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski) and the Assembly Minority Conference today proposed the “Small Business Emergency Recovery Act to 2020”, which would provide immediate assistance to small businesses and employees as...

Ra Helps Pass Bill Guaranteeing Paid Leave, Job Security for New Yorkers Suffering From Coronavirus

“Today, we took decisive, bipartisan action to protect the economic security of patients fighting the coronavirus. They’re doing the right thing by quarantining, and we need to do right by them while they’re out of work. It’s as simple...

Expedited Budget Must Not Include Controversial Policy Proposals

“New Yorkers are weathering an unprecedented public health crisis. We should agree to a temporary budget extender that keeps our government running and includes a robust response to the coronavirus. Doing this quickly, while adhering to appropriate...

On Anniversary of Amazon Departure, Ra Hopes To Hear About New Direction at Economic Development and Taxes Budget Hearings

“Almost exactly one year ago today, a small group of progressive Majority politicians showed why our state is struggling to create jobs and share in the economic prosperity that’s sweeping the rest of the country. Today, I’m hoping to hear...

Ra Announces Availability of Applications for Annual Scholarships Sponsored By New York Conference of Italian-American Legislators

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is joining with his fellow members of the Conference of Italian-American State Legislators to announce the availability of applications for their annual scholarship program. Four scholarships will be awarded, each...

Ra Presses de Blasio on Bail Reform at Budget Hearing

Yesterday, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) grilled New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio during an important, bipartisan budget hearing on local governments. During the questioning, de Blasio admitted that Majority politicians should restore judicial...

Ra Congratulates New Eagle Scouts in Glen Head

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) with Eagle Scouts Alexander Leonard DeMeo, Luke Martin and John Jake Sasso.
Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) recently celebrated the accomplishments of three area scouts during the Sea Cliff Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony. They each were designated as Eagle Scouts, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America....

Ra Joins With Hundreds of Law Enforcement Officials to Fight for Bail Reform Repeal at Massive Rally in Capitol

Today, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) joined with Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski), Senate Minority Leader John Flanagan, law enforcement leaders, prosecutors and hundreds of dedicated police officers at a rally to fight...

Ra Begins Tenure as Ranking Minority Member of the Ways And Means Committee with a Budget Win for Local Governments in Nassau County

Last year, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) warned his colleagues that the changes the administration was pushing to the distribution of Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding could lead to serious cash flow issues for municipalities...

Ra Rails against Bail Laws at Press Conference in Capitol

“The speaker continues to say we need more time to see if the bail reform laws will work. Time’s up. When so many innocent people are being hurt, victimized and even killed, it’s unforgivable not to take action. This cannot be the version...

Majority Double-Down on Dangerous Criminal Justice Overhaul

“While the governor and even Mayor de Blasio have signaled that they’re open to making changes to the Majoritys’ disastrous criminal justice overhaul, the speaker said something truly disconcerting to reporters yesterday- he “won’t...

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay Names Assemblyman Ed Ra as Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Ways And Means

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I,Ref-Pulaski) today announced the appointment of Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) as the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on Ways and Means. In this new role, Assemblyman Ra will play a critical...