As a resident of Suffolk County, you might be wondering why you should care about how the New York State Assembly works. I get it; politics can be confusing, annoying, and frustrating. But I'm here to tell you that understanding who the folks are in elected leadership and what they do is essential now more than ever with all of the challenges we have here in the state and county.
Let's start with the basics. The NYS state Legislature is the law-making branch of government. It is a bicameral, or two-house, body composed of the Senate and the Assembly. The Assembly is organized into committees, which are groups of Assembly members responsible for reviewing and considering proposed legislation on specific issues. These committees include the Small Business, Education, Health, Judiciary, and Labor Committees. The committees are to hold public hearings, consult with experts and stakeholders, and work together to determine whether the Assembly should pass a proposed law.
If a committee approves a bill, it goes to the entire Assembly for a vote. If it passes the Assembly, it moves to the State Senate for consideration. If the Assembly and Senate pass the bill, it goes to the Governor for signature or veto.
 |
| New York State Assembly Chamber FLICKR |
So when the Assembly makes decisions that affect the state's economy, it directly impacts the economic health of Suffolk County. For example, if the Assembly passes legislation that makes it easier for businesses to operate in the state, it could mean more job opportunities for Suffolk County residents.
How much do Assembly members make? Well, their base salary is $110,000 per year. That might seem like a lot of money, especially considering that the median household income in Suffolk County is above $100,000. But it's important to remember that Assembly members are responsible for making decisions that impact the entire state, not just their districts. Plus, the salary of an Assembly member is determined by an independent commission based on factors like the state's cost of living and the wages of comparable positions in other states. So it's not like they're just pulling that number out of thin air. The current balance of power in the state assembly is 142 to 48, with Republicans in the minority. Why does that matter? We don't have to look much further than bail reform laws here in New York to see how the balance of power has a clear impact. Suffolk is home to 12 of 150 assembly members, and we share three districts with parts of Nassau County. With social media the dominant way people share and receive information, I think it’s mandatory to visit the social media accounts of our elected officials as it gives insight quite a bit into how engaged they are with local issues. To find out who represents you, visit https://assembly.state.ny.us/ and get more detailed information on committees and current bills and laws. So stay informed, engage with your elected representatives, and remember that your voice matters.