Press Releases

Ra Raises A Glass To The Demise Of Cuomo Chips, Calls For Immediate Curfew Repeal

“It shouldn’t have taken nearly this long, but I’m pleased that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have finally joined with us to revoke the governor’s ridiculous mandate requiring bar patrons to order food with beverages. We introduced...

Ra Urges Assembly Majority to Pass Senate Bill Paving the Way for Municipal Takeover of New York American Water

“I applaud the state Senate for passing important legislation to deliver New York American Water ratepayers the relief they deserve. The bill would do what local and state studies recommend - establish a municipal water authority and allow for public...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) Updated Statement on Tragic Shooting in West Hempstead

“This is a horrifying tragedy. I’m heartbroken. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and all of the essential workers in the store today who endured an unimaginably traumatic experience. “To have a loved one taken from...

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) Statement on Tragic Shooting in West Hempstead

“This is a horrifying tragedy. I’m heartbroken. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. To have a loved one taken from you this way is senseless. There are no words. “I’m urging area residents to stay indoors as long...

Majority’s Reckless Budget Shows the Dangers Of One-Party Rule

Some clichés exist for a reason- they’re true. As more pundits, activist groups and elected officials continue to analyze the recently enacted state budget, you’ll probably hear some version of “budgets are about priorities” a few times. And...

Ra Pleased with Results of State Municipal Water Study

“Today, the state released the results of its study on the feasibility of municipal takeover of New York American Water Company’s operations. As an advocate for local ratepayers, I’m pleased that the results are so positive. New York American Water’s...

On Anniversary of Cuomo’s Deadly Directive, Ra Continues to Press for Answers, Accountability

“My heart goes out to the families. I cannot imagine the unshakeable grief that comes from knowing someone who was always there for you died alone. They’re in my prayers. They remain our priority. My colleagues and I will continue pushing for answers,...

Ra Implores Governor to Sign Bill Authorizing Nursing Home Visitation

“In the Legislature, Minority and Majority members came together to pass a bipartisan bill allowing New Yorkers to visit their loved ones who have been isolated in nursing homes for far too long. It’s a critically important mental health issue for...

Statement from Assemblyman Ed Ra on Today’s General Budget Conference Committee Meeting

Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), the Minority Conference’s Ranking Member on the Committee on Ways & Means, issued the following statement after today’s meeting of the General Budget Conference Committee. The Committee convened today after...

JCOPE Is Broken. Let’s Replace It.

Wouldn’t it seem strange if there was a massive outbreak of foodborne illness and no one thought to ask the FDA about it? If there was a devastating hurricane and no one reached out to FEMA? New York state is currently engulfed by a series of generational...

Ra Calls for Return to Previous LIRR Schedule, Urges Leadership to Reverse Service Cuts

“I’ve heard from numerous constituents that overcrowding on the LIRR continues to be a serious problem. It’s unacceptable. I’ve also been told the mobile app that supposedly monitors train capacity is not functioning properly. That’s also unacceptable....

Ra Rejects Majority Bill Extending Governor’s Emergency Powers

“Now that the Legislature has been convening remotely, there’s no justification whatsoever for extending the governor’s emergency powers. We were elected to govern. The fact that Majority members would extend the governor’s existing orders indefinitely...

Ra, Colleagues Fighting to Increase Transportation Funding for Local Governments

After years of flat budgetary allocations and across-the-board reductions due to COVID-19, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and a bipartisan group of his colleagues wrote a letter to legislative leaders and the governor seeking an increased investment...

Ra, Colleagues Fighting to Increase Transportation Funding for Local Governments - Letter

Ra Blasts Assembly Majority for Protecting Cuomo’s Emergency Powers

“Assembly Majority faced a simple choice: either work with Minority members to remove emergency powers from a disgraced governor under investigation by the Department of Justice and the attorney general’s office or play politics and protect his unilateral...

Ra, The Newly Elected President of The New York Conference of Italian-American Legislators, Encourages Local Students to Apply for Athletic, Academic Scholarships

New York Conference of Italian-American Legislators President Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) is encouraging area students to submit applications to the organization’s annual scholarship program. The group distributes two, $4,000 academic scholarships and...

Ra Renews Call for Bipartisan Public Hearings to Investigate Nursing Home Crisis after Lackluster Health Budget Hearing

“Budget hearings do not provide adequate time for the thorough public inquiry owed to the families who lost loved ones during the nursing home crisis. Because members have been stonewalled by the administration since August, it’s understandable that...

Ra Calls for AG Investigation into Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Governor Cuomo

“The story Lindsey Boylan detailed today is specific and credible. It merits a thorough and immediate investigation by the attorney general’s office. We must have zero tolerance for sexual harassment. These allegations describe predatory, unforgivable...

Ra Advocates for State Support of Small Businesses During Economic Development Budget Hearing

During this morning’s joint legislative budget hearing on economic development, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) made the case for using existing Empire State Development funding to help small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. Ra believes that...

Ra, Minority Colleagues from Senate and Assembly Hold News Conference on Removing the Governor’s Emergency Powers

Today, Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) joined with his Minority colleagues from both houses at a press conference in the Capitol to urge their Majority counterparts to work with them to remove the governor’s emergency powers immediately. “This...